Today, communities are going through major transformations in infrastructure with smart cities and transportation technologies. The last major infrastructure transformation was the introduction of the highway system that created inequities: neighborhoods were divided and disrupted, and low income and minority groups were disenfranchised. Although these were not the intended outcomes, we continue to experience the consequences today. To design cities that are environmentally sustainable, socially just and economically innovative, we need a holistic approach that addresses and brings these elements together.
The vision of the Smart and Resilient Communities Program at the Sustainability Institute is to improve the well-being and resilience of communities through innovations in technologies, data and modeling that engage campus and community partners to advance our understanding of smart, resilient and sustainable communities, cities and urban-rural regions.
The Ohio State University is well-positioned to design and help address matters pertaining to achieving smart and resilient communities. Ohio State is home to many faculty members and researchers focusing on multiple elements related to Smart and Resilient Communities, from technology to physical mobility and from environmental sustainability to economic and social well-being and health.
As the Smart and Resilient Communities research co-leads, our priority is to cultivate and support interdisciplinary research teams that investigate key dimensions of smart and resilient communities. One immediate effort to fulfill this initiative is the 2021 SI Seed Grant Program. Through the Sustainability Institute and together with the other research program leaders, we will be providing support for interdisciplinary research teams relating to one or more of the SI research program areas. For more information regarding the Seed Grant Program, please contact SI Program Assistant Kathy Jackson, jackson.2942@osu.edu.
Another opportunity is NSF’s recently released a Dear Colleague Letter on Strengthening American Infrastructure that requested workshop/conference proposals (due Nov. 30) and Early Concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) proposals (two-page letter of intent due Dec. 11). This provides an excellent opportunity for faculty who are interested in improving or transforming the design, use, development, cost-effectiveness or maintenance of U.S. infrastructure. These proposals should include a central focus on at least one SBE program area with the lead PI being an expert in social, behavioral or economic science. Proposals must also demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach beyond that of any single program or NSF directorate. If you are interested in pursuing this opportunity, we at SI can assist you by helping you find partners at Ohio State and providing input and feedback on your proposals.
We are also currently working on plans for Exploratory Research Group development workshops and establishing a campus-wide seminar series. Stay tuned for more exciting news to come shortly. In the meantime, please feel free to get in touch and get involved with the Sustainability Institute!
Gulsah Akar, city and regional planning, and Steven Quiring, geography
Sustainability Institute Smart and Resilient Communities Research Leaders