The Modern American City: Can We Ever Make it Sustainable?

UW Fox invites you to the UW Fox Scholars Series
Sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley Foundation, Inc

Public Presentation
Monday, November 17
12 noon
UWFox Theatre

Dr. Gray is a member of the Center for Catalysis and Surface Science, Institute of Policy Research and the Transportation Center at Northwestern University. She received her Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins University in 1988 and worked as a research engineer for the Lyonnaise des Eaux in Paris, France for 2 years. She joined the Northwestern faculty in 1995 and since 2003 has been the Director of the Environmental Science, Engineering and Policy Program.

The Modern American City: Can We Ever Make it Sustainable?
The short answer to this question is "not at the rate that we are going." Yet, if we really wanted to, we could make great strides in the short term and with our current technical knowledge in the ways we use energy and resources. So what is stopping us? We'll begin by looking at the various perspectives on "sustainability," a term that means very different things to different people, and make the case for why this is a pressing issue to be addressed sooner rather than later. Then we will discuss the requirements and the feasibility of developing truly renewable energy sources, as well as the role of technology in finding solutions to the problem of sustainability. Deeper understanding of the structure and function of ecological systems is key to designing sustainable cities, such as examples of re-engineering the water cycle and a 100-year vision for the City of Chicago. Finally, sustainability requires that we address equity issues and the definition of prosperity across our own society as well as across the globe.

Campus guests should arrive early, as parking is at a premium. Parking is also available west of University Drive in the Saber Lanes lots.

UW Fox Scholars Series is open to the community without charge and presented with the financial support of the UW-Fox Valley Foundation, Inc.