There is compelling evidence at all points of the globe that green infrastructure is embraced as a necessity, not just a luxury for the few, to support urban sustainability.  Our team of scholars and students, drawn from three academic institutions operating in three very different urban contexts, seeks to expand knowledge about green infrastructure through research, educating the next generation of professionals and policy makers, and engaging citizen stakeholders.  The University of Florida, based in the rapidly growing urbanizing state of Florida, Cardiff University in the Welsh coastal city of Cardiff, and the University of Indonesia located within the megacity region of Jakarta, approach green infrastructure applications based upon very different circumstances.  This project partnership seeks to develop long term synergies that can help to advance understanding of how best to utilize green infrastructure based upon context-sensitive strategies.  Stakeholder workshops in all three places, field research by students led by faculty, collaborative research endeavors, and development of new curricular offerings to enable future students to benefit from our shared expertise, will be sought through the project.    We are beginning with the universal urban challenge of effectively managing water in all of its manifestations within city environs.  Future work will likely expand beyond water management to other key components of urban sustainability.

 

Christopher Silver, PhD, FAICP, University of Florida

Andrea Frank, PhD, Cardiff University

Ridwan Kemas Kurniawan, PhD, University of Indonesia