The Metabolism of Cities Living Lab

https://humandynamics.sdsu.edu/Metabolism_of_Cities_Living_Lab/sdgactions.html

https://youtu.be/x-8nDCMAiOg

With a system that utilizes transportation energy, water could be circulated within the environment to provide numerous multi-benefits. Whether it is pedestrians, bicycles, or vehicles, friction pads convert mechanical energy which in turn could redistribute water. Large metropolitan areas with x number of people, San Diego contains x miles of roads,

An ideal location for this pilot project would be downstream of a reservoir.

Southern California human water use has exceeded local sources based on the number of imports. See the MOC data dashboard. Although there are X number of reservoirs with x af of water in the San Diego Region, there is none set aside for circulating in the environment for aquatic ecosystems. The installation of dams for water storage is costly and prevents or reduces downstream discharge, a natural process of infiltration, groundwater recharge and nutrient/mineral cycling.

Not only that but large amounts of water are now unavailable to riparian ecosystems.

This project would reduce storage cost while benefiting ecosystems:

·        Groundwater recharge,

·        Habitat restoration

·        Improved water quality and wildlife corridors

·        Potential for other uses such as

o  Green street infrastructure

o  Agricultural operations

o  GHG reduction, Carbon sequestration

Reduce costs for City of San Diego

Provide template for other southern California locations

Expand regionally especially Salton Sea.

Cutting reliance on water from outside sources. For more appropriate implementation, it could be scaled up to replenish the Salton Sea. The Salton Sea represents a prime example where such a project could benefit the ecosystem, however we must start at a feasible level.

Utilizing multi-spectral cross dimensional mapping and drone imagery through using Satellite Datasets, Aerial Mapping, Ground Mapping Information systems to create a Real-time Geo-referencing Dynamic Library to trace SDGs at a (g)local level.

For vulnerable populations in southern California and the Baja California Mexico region, such as children, low-income communities, people with disabilities, migrants, pregnant women, and ethnic minorities, the health effects of climate change related extreme weather events can be especially devastating during times of difficulty such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

Such marginalized populations may be more susceptible to disease, have pre-existing health conditions or live in areas that do not promote good health, well-being, access to services/resources, education, technologies, and/or infrastructure.

To address these challenges we have established a team of international interdisciplinary professionals from across the world to pioneer new frontiers for better solutions; by establishing the Metabolism of Cities Living Lab (MOC-LLab).

San Diego State University Big Ideas - The center focuses on multi-disciplinary research focusing on the understanding of dynamic patterns, relationships, narratives, changes, and transitions of human activities, behaviors, and smart communication urban systems.

Center for Human Dynamics in the Mobile Age (HDMA) - Big Ideas seeks to combine, leverage and promote San Diego State’s distinctive strengths for the betterment of the world.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals - The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

United Nations Environmental Program - Global Initiative for Resource Efficient Cities (GI-REC) - Operationalizing Urban Metabolism at the City Level. 

Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) USA - SDSN USA: A global initiative for the United States of America. 

Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Youth - A global network to empower young people globally to create sustainable solutions through education, communities, and innovation.

Metabolism of Cities - A global network of people working together on systemically reducing net environmental impacts of cities and territories in a socially just manner and context-specific way using urban metabolism studies.

Metabolism of Cities Education Hub - The Metabolism of Cities Education Hub is a fairly new project that aims to provide engaging educational material around urban metabolism.

Metabolism of Islands - MoI is a network of scholars conducting policy-relevant research to support island economies achieve resource security and self-reliance, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. 

United Nations Environmental Program - Major Group of Children and Youth (MGCY) - A space for children and youth to engage meaningfully in environmental governance and conservation processes across the UN system. Microplastics and Marine Litter Working Group. 

#BIGDATASCIENCE #Metabolismofcities #SDGs #sustainabledevelopmentgoals #sdsu #sdsusdgtrackingboard

This project has been submitted for consideration during the Judging process.