Urban Retrofitting

Urban retrofitting is the redesign of an existing site or structure in a city to be more environmentally sustainable. To reach sustainability goals in cities, making requirements for new buildings to be built will not be enough. The redesign of existing buildings could make a huge impact on the environmental footprint of urban areas. This editorial will discuss urban retrofitting and the views from city residents and city property owners and developers on the matter.
Overview
The issue that planners are using urban retrofitting for is to respond to contemporary urbanism. For the first time in history there are more people living in urban settings as opposed to rural, and the city life presents many challenges to the earth (Paul, 2009). With
Most aspects appeal to the urban public, as many of the strategies previously listed could make the cost of living cheaper. For example, with improved public transportation, bike and pedestrian systems, many people may be inclined to give up having a costly personal vehicle to use these systems and save themselves all the costs and time that come with a car. Smart energy consumption includes using appliances away from off-peak hours, another clever way to retrofit while saving residents money. Most people that live in cities could also agree that increased greenery and plant-based water management systems would make for a more vibrant, beautiful and healthier city to live in. However, with many of the ways to retrofit a city, construction comes with them. Re-construction of buildings and surfaces cause delays in traffic, unpleasant aesthetic, and lots of interruptive noise throughout the day. This could turn a lot of people off from the physical retrofitting initiatives. With the end goal in mind it is most likely that the general public of urban settings would be willing to deal with the negatives to urban retrofitting to enjoy the positives like saving saving, and also to have a more ecologically friendly city in the end. Planners in charge of urban retrofitting should be sure to include and educate the city residents through the process, and make sure that urban
Tim Dixon and Malcolm Eames book Urban Retrofitting for Sustainability: Mapping the Transition to 2050 (Dixon, 2014) explains how the trends of urban retrofitting will transform cities throughout the next 20-30 years and beyond 2050. The transition will affect everyone in and near the cities around the world, improving their function and health. Urban retrofitting is the answer to reducing the ecological footprint of cities and furthermore the human impacts causing climate