Despite the astounding foresight of our leaders at the turn of the 20th century, New York City is pushing the limits of its infrastructure and environmental resources. Mayor Bloomberg has initiated a major planning initiative to address these problems with the same forethought exemplified by the city’s leaders more than a century ago. Sustainability is at the core of this initiative. The city is facing the future with an interagency approach, a new building code, modified zoning, and new challenges to building design.
    Learning objectives:

• Describe the next generation of sustainability challenges as it affects New York City
• Determine whether the best way to promote sustainability is by example or by legislation and offer suggestions for future legislation or incentive programs
• Analyze the consequences if the government does not promote or legislate sustainability and evaluate whether the marketplace, on its own, will continue along this path