Green Water Fronts
Chicago Eco-Bridge
The Windy City dyes their river green for St. Patrick's Day, but that's not all that goes green. A two mile bridge in the Monroe Harbor will cement Chicago's position as the Greenest City in the U.S. It will provide space for wind turbines to provide economic value to a recreational source. Chicago hopes to host the 2016 Olympics and is using this project in their bid. The proposed Chicago 'Eco-Bridge' completes the last major recommendation of the 1909 Burnham Plan of Chicago in a thoroughly modern way that celebrates Chicago's future as well as its past.
Trend Themes
1. Eco-bridges - Creating bridges that leverage renewable energy sources provides an opportunity for cities to expand environmentally sustainable practices in their infrastructure.
2. Green Sports Facilities - Sports facilities could increasingly be designed to host green energy solutions, creating an opportunity for sustainable innovation and energy-efficient infrastructure.
3. Sustainable City Planning - Cities, large and small, have an opportunity to create sustainable development plans that incorporate green solutions, like Eco-Bridges, that successfully integrate the past, present and future.
Industry Implications
1. Construction - The construction industry can make a significant impact by incorporating eco-friendly building practices and innovative designs, such as Chicago's Eco-Bridge concept.
2. Energy - Renewable energy companies can explore providing wind turbines and solar energy facilities for green bridges and sports facilities, creating new and innovative ways to increase renewable energy sources.
3. City Planning - City planners can use the Eco-Bridge concept as inspiration for sustainable development plans in urban areas to decrease environmental impact and increase the use of renewable energy.