Beyond the Centralized Paradigm: Retrofitting Cities with Decentralized Infrastructure for Sustainable Success

Courtney Crosson (The University of Arizona)

Our cities will increasingly rely on decentralized infrastructure for the collection and distribution of renewable energy and water resources (e.g. rainwater harvesting, photovoltaic micro-grids). Existing transportation, energy, and water systems will need to be retrofitted to integrate these new decentralized technologies. How this will occur is yet to be fully understood. This paper provides a replicable model for academia to join with practice and local governments to fill this knowledge gap in one mid-sized city. This paper presents three models (transportation, energy, and water) of how to accomplish new sustainable infrastructural solutions beyond existing paradigms.

Led through an university upper-level interdisciplinary design studio (MLA and B.Arch), the project used spatial mapping, quantitative analysis, and design inquiry to achieve carbon, energy, and water neutrality for downtown Tucson, Arizona in year 2050 through decentralized systems. The solution is comprised of five district transportation, energy, and water hubs that served as the points of collection, storage, and effective micro-distribution of renewable resources. This paper outlines the projected population growth and resource use for the study area and the corresponding methods through which year 2050 neutrality is numerically accomplished. Rendered visions of the three infrastructures incorporated into the projected 2050 city fabric are presented.

The paper concludes that by supplying a pathway to realize integrative systems that work in tandem with current, dominant centralized grids, long-term city resilience goals are achieved. The Tucson model has secured multiyear investment from private and public partners as a result of the phase one work and has won awards for education (Arizona Forward’s State Educator Award), design (Arizona AIA State Design Award for Regional and Urban Planning), and leadership (ACSA/AIA National Practice and Leadership Award).