Built to connect: How buildings and infrastructure form the foundation for sustainable communities

On 24th January 2017, the DPAD/DSP unit organized a Development Policy Seminar on the topic of “Built to Connect - How buildings and infrastructure form the foundation for sustainable communities”. The seminar was presented by Ms. Gaya Branderhorst (Director, Data & Analytics at KPMG, New York), and it was chaired by Ms. Diana Alarcón (Chief, DESA DPAD/DSP unit). The seminar began with a presentation on the latest developments in the construction and adaptation of buildings with a focus on resource efficiency (water, energy, building materials, among others) and quality of the indoor environment. Room ventilation was given as an example of how to possibly improve cognitive function in workers in a cost-saving and easy way. Next, the conversation turned to how infrastructures more broadly can shape the health and equality of communities. The (lack of) public accessibility to Jones Beach in Long Island, New York in the 1930s was discussed as an example, among others. A lively discussion followed with the audience, mostly comprised by colleagues from UN/DESA, covering many topics, such as split incentives to change.