Sustainability in Action: An Overview of Sustainable Infrastructure on College Campuses

What is sustainable infrastructure?

Sustainable infrastructure refers to projects that are designed, constructed, and operated in ways that minimize negative environmental impacts, conserve resources, promote biodiversity, and enact other sustainable practices. It aims to meet the needs of the present populations without compromising future populations from meeting their own needs.¹ Recent advances on sustainable infrastructure have come with growing concerns of environmental well-being, with institutions such as college campuses turning to such projects for a sustainable future.

The Four Dimensions of Sustainable Infrastructure

Sustainable infrastructure has the potential to offer benefits to communities in four distinct ways.² 

• Firstly, sustainable infrastructure projects are economically sustainable. Sustainable infrastructure helps lower the costs associated with maintaining traditional infrastructure as well as prevents future costs incurred through climate change damage control. It also is projected to increase employment numbers in the renewable energy sector from 2.3 million to 20 million by 2030. 

• Secondly, sustainable infrastructure is associated with social sustainability.² By providing essential services to the entire population it can help even out inequalities within society. Electricity for example could be provided through sustainability projects focused on renewable energy. 

• Thirdly, sustainable infrastructure is environmentally sustainable.² Carbon footprints are reduced through these projects and also lessens the use of natural resources. This limits natural disasters such as hurricanes and rising sea levels and preserves the natural environment. 

• Finally, sustainable infrastructure relies on institutions to promote its use.² International government agencies and agreements such as the Paris Agreement are essential to getting sustainable infrastructure initiatives off the ground. The other benefits associated with sustainable infrastructure can then have a reciprocal effect on institutions making them stronger and more cohesive due to better economic growth and social community. These impacts can even be seen and implemented in smaller communities like colleges and universities.

What does sustainable infrastructure look like on college campuses? ⁽⁴⁾

Sustainable infrastructure can look different on college campuses with different goals, spaces, and budgets. Here are some examples of common projects on campuses:

• Bike friendly infrastructure: bike lanes, bike sharing programs, etc.

• Renewable energy: solar panels, wind turbines, and other installations to generate clean energy

• Energy efficient lighting: LED lighting fixtures to reduce energy consumption, lighting fixtures with timers and motion sensors

• Energy efficient HVAC systems: efficient heating, ventilation, and air condition systems that reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions

• Green spaces: rain gardens and vegetated channels that can manage stormwater runoff, prevent erosion, enhance aesthetics

• Water conservation: low-flow toilets, rainwater harvesting systems

• EV charging stations: electric vehicle charging infrastructure to encourage clean transportation

• Farm-to-food programs: on campus farming for sustainably grown food

• Single stream recycling: convenient recycling separation for paper, plastics, glass, and metal to encourage waste management

Advantages of sustainable infrastructure on college campuses ⁽⁴⁾⁽⁵⁾⁽⁶⁾

Sustainable infrastructure can provide many environmental, financial, social, and institutional benefits:

• Limits flooding from stormwater that can cause damage to campus buildings and community

• Helps the campus meet stormwater discharge requirements through permeability and stormwater treatment

• Contributes to campus aesthetics

• Improves research and education between faculty, students, and staff through projects and their performances

• Improves water and air quality

• Provides shade

• Reduces building energy demands

• Creates and connects habitats for wildlife

• Saves costs through energy conservation measures and reduced water usage

Disadvantages of sustainable infrastructure on college campuses ⁽⁷⁾⁽⁸⁾

• Upfront costs may be higher than traditional approaches

• Requires additional space that may not be available on all campuses

• Involves navigating certification processes and construction timelines

• May underperform if installed or maintained improperly

• Resources required for implementation may be limited in availability (ex. wind and solar power)

There are also many schools that already have their own running farms. For example, Hampshire College produces about 10,000 pounds of vegetables a year for their dining hall. This goes to their staff, faculty, and students.¹⁰ Just like at Bucknell, students can apply to work on the farm, making it another great place for learning opportunities. Alongside this, the University of California has a 23 acre farm which runs multiple courses for students. For example, "Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture," "Organic Crop Production Practices," and "Garden and Farm-based Experiential Education Methods." It also allows students to volunteer to run the farm.¹⁰ If more schools take the initiative to implement programs like this, the sustainability of universities in general will immensely increase.

The most impressive part of the Eddington project is that it acts as an incorporated urban segment of the city of Cambridge. Its sustainable policies promote a more cohesive and social environment within the confines of Eddington as well as for the rest of the city. Through renewable energy sources and flood prevention Eddington makes Cambridge as a whole a more green city. Furthermore, by providing university staff with subsidized housing in Eddington the University of Cambridge helps alleviate housing stresses for the city.¹¹ Overall, Eddington serves as a great example of how colleges can make their own campuses more sustainable as well as the greater community that they reside in!

In Conclusion

Sustainable infrastructure projects demonstrate positive commitments to environmental stewardship. Although implementing sustainable infrastructure on college campuses may pose some challenges, the advantages make sustainable projects worthwhile. Sustainable infrastructure on college campuses and in broader society facilitate a transformation towards a more environmentally conscious future.

Special thanks to members of the Binghamton Policy Project (BPP) including Aaron Stern, Jacqueline Brandel, Jake Caspi, Julia Smargiassi, Kayla Chu, Shane Sekuler, and Timothy Brennan for writing this article!