A sustainable framework could make cities more water efficient and affordable
The framework, incorporating the recycling of wastewater, can significantly reduce costs and pollution compared to traditional systems that operate in larger areas – which could lead to more walkable, liveable, and affordable cities. According to UN estimates, urban areas currently account for over two-thirds of global energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Water sources in cities are increasingly being placed under pressure by global warming and burgeoning populations, as well as increasing electricity bills, rent and more. A new Stanford University analysis, published in Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, finds that this sustainable framework could help policymakers across the U.S spend their dollars more wisely towards new federal infrastructure, making cities more advanced and circular in their designs.