Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Portfolio 3: Summary


This portfolio is a summary of a 500-1000 words article related to the 14 grand challenges. I chose the topic "renewing and sustaining the aging infrastructures of cities and services". The article is "Restore and improve urban infrastricture", from http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/8996/9136.aspx.



The definition of infrastructure given by the author is "the combination of fundamental systems that support a community, region, or a country". Infrastructure means the facilities that support human reactions on the planet. Take a look at the place where you live, it has basic facilities such as houses to live in, drinkable water, public transportations, energy supplies, sewer and waste systems so on and so forth.  Nowadays  nearly most of the infrastructures are facing aging problems, that is, they are in need of repairing or replacing, especially for urban infrastructures, which are rather complex and are changing rapidly.

Firstly, as civilization has become more and more complex, a great challenge to today's engineers is to design and build elaborate fundamental structures. Nowadays blooming communication technologies are adding difficulties to the design of fundamental infrastructures. For example when building houses, there must be some cables for telephone lines, internet access, TV cables so on and so forth. On the other hand, as new pursuits of energy are in need, the applications of solar energy program, remote wind program and so on willalso make a difference in the design of infrastructure in modern society.

Secondly, the aging infrastructures are in need of updating and repairing. The underground pipes and cables are not so easy to cope with as they are buried deep inside. Therefore, the approach of mapping and labling these underground infrastructures is quite significant and challenging. Also, engineers should take note that the approaches and projects should be economically feasible not only for developed countries, but for most developing countries as well. 

Thirdly, as one of society's favourate words describes :' sustainable'. Infrastructures are not biscuit something, they would most probably retain for over several ten years. In that way, engineers should pay great attention to the sustainability of the infrastructures. This requires a big picture or a blue print which considers future developments. Furthermore, it is urgent also to consider how will human live in harmony with nature. Cities are causing troubles for nature by producing great deal of sewers and wastes. Protecting the environment is one of the top priorities.

In conclusion, modern infrastructures are facing aging problems, and quite a number of them are in need of updating or repairing. Today's engineers are required with the abilities to design and build sustaining infrastructures that can both meet the need of developing civilization and of living in harmony with nature. 

1 comment:

WANG QING said...

The essays gave the definition of infrastructure and specific problems faced with. Every point was elaborated clearly. Really did a good job!!