Did you know that cities can improve the efficiency of their energy, transportation, and utilities services; reduce consumption, waste, and other costs; and enhance the quality of life of their residents with one single premise?

It’s true.

US cities that incorporate information and communication technologies (ICT) to improve citizen well-being, enhance sustainability, and boost economic development can become designated smart cities.

Here are a few ways that smart cities will evolve in 2019:

Gamification

AT&T, one of the largest telcos in the US, is no stranger to smart technology and its President of IoT Solutions, Chris Penrose, is already predicting the changes ahead. He estimates that network technology will engage people like never before, encouraging them to become more responsible citizens. By paying their utility bills on time, making an effort to recycle, and using public transportation, individuals could earn ‘points’ to redeem for discounts or event passes. Through gamification, the entire city can benefit and improve the quality of life of all of its residents.

5G Implementation

Now that our lives are becoming increasingly connected, from our phones to our homes and soon our cars too, we have more data than ever. In order to share it, though, we need more bandwidth and the technology to make it happen. That’s where 5G comes in, according to Verizon. With it, cities will see improvements in public safety, transit, utilities, public Wi-Fi, and emergency preparedness. Who knew 5G could improve our morning commutes?

Energy Efficient Buildings

It’s no surprise that smart cities would host energy efficient buildings, and changes in technology and construction techniques are making it easier than ever to build them. Eco-friendly HVAC systems, efficient lighting, and improved insulation are all trends that are paving the way for smart cities in 2019.We can’t wait to see how smart cities help us reduce our carbon footprint and work towards net-zero energy buildings in 2019.

CREED LA fights to ensure that developers pay fair wages to all the hard-working construction professionals throughout the industry while simultaneously providing them with quality health care, continued training, and trustworthy retirement plans. To learn more about how our non-profit organization supports those building a better, greener world for us all, contact CREED LA online or at (877) 810-7473.

According to the National Association of Realtors, sales of newly built, single-family homes dropped to an annual rate of 544,000 units in October. That’s the lowest pace since March 2016, and it happens at a time when a housing-shortage issue is slowing down the US housing market. In March, Business Insider reported that existing home sales were 4.5% below the market potential. Here’s what you need to know to understand the problem:

What is Causing It?

The law of supply and demand is one of the most well-known economics principles. In a nutshell, low supply and high demand increase price whereas high supply and low demand lower price.

Right now, the US housing market is experiencing a lack of supply and robust demand, which is upping the prices for existing homes. Higher prices mean that fewer people can afford these houses, which slow down sales.

That’s not the only cause of the problem, though.

Mortgage rates are rising, and existing homeowners that have mortgages with low rates don’t want to sell their homes and lose their prime rates. Consequently, it’s causing a housing-shortage issue in the United States.

Consequences 

Also, keep in mind that the home seller is also a home buyer. Think about it: People don’t sell their house to become homeless, they sell it to buy another one. If they can’t sell, they can’t buy and, therefore, someone else won’t be able to sell their house, too.

While the shrinking number of homes available keeps pushing up prices, the inventory is slowly rising again in the biggest markets.

Let’s keep an eye on what is going to happen in 2019. Here’s hoping for a recovery!

CREED LA fights to ensure that developers pay fair wages to all the hard-working construction professionals throughout the industry while simultaneously providing them with quality health care, continued training, and trustworthy retirement plans. To learn more about how our non-profit organization supports those building a better, greener world for us all, contact CREED LA online or at (877) 810-7473.

For land developers and other construction industry professionals, being a good steward of the construction process means considering and preventing erosion issues. Planning and implementing erosion mitigation efforts can yield big results.

Sometimes, erosion control during a construction project is statutorily required. In other instances, construction professionals focus on erosion control regardless of outside regulations. In either case, following certain well-defined steps can help to mitigate erosion at a construction site.

The Planning Process

If you are undertaking a construction project, ensuring that erosion is controlled on the site will be key to your success. Doing so requires careful planning to take several things into account, including the type of construction, the location (e.g. urban vs. rural), and the slope and grade of the land. The development’s proximity to waterways and riverbanks, and the amount of existing vegetation on the land also need to be considered.

The Implementation Process

At a construction site, erosion control should already have been factored into the management of the planned project. As in nature, erosion during construction is largely driven by two natural elements: wind and water. Specific characteristics of the project, namely where it is located, will also impact the amount of erosion that occurs. It’s important to remember that erosion control measures have both on-site and off-site impacts to consider.

Principles of Erosion Control

Erosion control does not have to be an expensive endeavor in order for it to be effective. Effective erosion management can best be achieved by understanding the basic principles of erosion control.

The principles start with increasing resistive forces and reducing erosive forces exerted by wind and water. Construction professionals should also utilize sediment control for cost-effective sediment remediation and limit soil exposure to water and wind.

It’s also important to reduce runoff velocity via grading and slope management. Topography should be modified with short, shallow slopes (where applicable), and erosion-preventative vegetation should be added to longer, steeper slopes. Finally, developers should regularly inspect, evaluate, and repair the site as needed.

Erosion Control Benefits Us All

Just like any other part of the project management plan, erosion control on a construction site should be planned thoroughly. Careful attention to some basic construction activities can help manage erosion for the benefit of the project and the surrounding community.

CREED LA fights to ensure that developers pay fair wages to all the hard-working construction professionals throughout the industry while simultaneously providing them with quality health care, continued training, and trustworthy retirement plans. To learn more about how our non-profit organization supports those building a better, greener world for us all, contact CREED LA online or at (877) 810-7473.

Accidents involving falls, scaffolding, and ladders account for a significant number of fatalities in construction sites. Although these accidents are very concerning, most of them are preventable if employers and workers follow basic safety measures.

Fall prevention

According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls are the leading cause of death in construction: 370 fatal falls were registered in 2016. Employers must implement effective strategies to prevent falls and protect workers. They’re also required to provide fall protection equipment and systems such as guardrails. This equipment needs to be inspected regularly by an experienced professional to ensure it’s in good condition. If you’re a worker, you can refuse to work on a construction site if it doesn’t have safety measures set in place.

Scaffolding Hazards

Scaffolds are another main cause of death on construction sites. These temporary work platforms are commonly used by engineers, erectors, and dismantlers among many other professionals. OSHA requires employers to train workers that use scaffolds to ensure they can identify hazards and take corrective measures. For more information, see the OSHA general requirements.

Ladder Safety

While extension ladders are commonly used in construction sites, they might pose a risk for workers if you don’t follow best practices. The first step to ensure the safe use of extension ladders is planning ahead to get the job done safely. This includes assigning someone to inspect your equipment, set up the ladder at the proper angle, and secure it to prevent movement. OSHA recommends that workers maintain a 3-point contact when climbing or descending a ladder to control balance easier. Don’t place a ladder on unstable bases like boxes and barrels—it might tip over and cause a serious injury.

CREED LA fights to ensure that developers pay fair wages to all the hard working construction professionals throughout the industry while simultaneously providing them with quality health care, continued training, and trustworthy retirement plans. To learn more about how our non-profit organization supports those building a better, greener world for us all, contact CREED LA online or at (877) 810-7473.

Traffic congestion is one of the most common urban issues.. Nobody likes to waste time stuck in a traffic jam while the honking symphony plays outside. The problem not only affects productivity and increases stress, but it also harms the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States, vehicles are the second major source of greenhouse gas emissions. That’s why many cities are adopting initiatives, like car sharing, to reduce traffic congestion and minimize its impact.

Why Car Sharing Helps Reduce Traffic Congestion

The inefficient use of cars contributes significantly to traffic congestion. In Madrid, for example, approximately four out of five cars carry only a single driver and the fifth vehicle carries only two people. What’s even worse is that the majority of cars are not being used most of the time—they’re parked, instead.

So, what’s the solution? While there is no consensus on which is the best strategy to eliminate traffic jams, car sharing has increased in the last few years. When people carpool, they reduce the need for 9 to 13 vehicles on the road per shared car. Another benefit for car sharers is lower maintenance costs.

Learning From Vancouver

Vancouver is considered the car sharing capital of North America. There are four different car sharing services operating in the city: Modo, Evo, Car2Go, and Zipcar. At the beginning of 2018, Vancity surveyed 4,000 people who use these services and here’s what they found out:

• Convenience and saving money are the main reasons people use car sharing services.
• 58% of respondents also said they want to help protect the environment.
• About 25% of car sharers have disposed of at least one private vehicle.
• 40% have avoided buying a private vehicle because they prefer car sharing.

Other Ideas To Reduce Traffic Congestion

Car sharing alone probably won’t solve the problem of traffic congestion. Fortunately, cities are also testing other ideas. In Pittsburgh, cameras capture and process images of traffic. So, a smart system can decide how long traffic signs should remain green or red. Public authorities in Los Angeles are using drones to perform specials tasks, including firefighting, so they can avoid putting more cars in the streets. In 2003, London implemented a traffic congestion charge to incentivise the use of other transport options.

While there’s no magic trick to make traffic congestion disappear, we all can collaborate to reduce the effect of vehicles on our cities and our planet. A good start is to think about how you can help.

CREED LA fights to ensure that developers pay fair wages to all the hard working construction professionals throughout the industry while simultaneously providing them with quality health care, continued training, and trustworthy retirement plans. To learn more about how our non-profit organization supports those building a better, greener world for us all, contact CREED LA online or at (877) 810-7473.

A couple weeks ago we talked about the case for urban density and combating urban sprawl. This week, we want to touch on urban density again and focus on its many benefits as well as how to implement it successfully.

Urban density serves to bring people together by providing dense, walkable areas and central access to affordable housing and amenities. Most of all, urban density strives to create healthy cities for the people who live in them, and that involves a great deal of change.

Change doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

Benefits of Urban Density

Previously, we discussed the economic and environmental benefits of urban density, including housing affordability and the reduction of urban sprawl. However, these benefits only touch the surface of what urban density can provide for cities. Density can improve people’s health through access to care and support networks and cardiovascular improvement through walking. When people don’t need cars to get around, traffic congestion decreases, as does vehicle pollution. What’s more, density can actually be fun: closer knit communities have more access to leisure activities and establishments such as restaurants, theatres, shopping, and more.

However, cities can only reap these benefits if they implement urban density successfully.

Urban Design

In order to get urban density right, cities need a plan, and they need to think of the people first. This is where urban design comes in. In an ideal situation, buildings, infrastructure, and services can operate symbiotically and rather than invading our space, they add to it. Well-connected cities that do urban density the right way provide an environment where it’s easy for citizens to walk or cycle, access services, and live healthier lives. Hiring experienced urban planners and architects can help cities achieve their urban design goals.

Urban Green Spaces

When people envision urban density, futuristic landscapes filled with skyscrapers often come to mind. However, green space has a place in cities, as well. Higher-density development can present challenges, so it’s important to include green space in the planning stages of urban design. Urban greening is a public health issue: people are healthier when they’re closer to nature. Therefore, cities need to include nature in their urban density development. From street trees and community gardens to green walls and roofs, there are many ways to greenify a city center.

Who’s ready to build our tomorrow?

You’ve probably heard that our differences makes us stronger, but do you know why? In this blog, we explain why diversity is so important for society and examine demographic trends in the United States, as well as their impact in community planning.

Benefits Of Diversity in Society

Just like organizations, communities that embrace different races, cultures, and genders are more open to new ideas. While it’s undeniable that conflicts are part of the process, establishing a dialogue and learning to respect the differences is what differentiates democracies from tyrannies.

The benefits of diversity for communities are countless. A diverse student body, for example, is less susceptible to bullying and its members feel encouraged to think outside the box. Also, studies have found that, due to the effects of globalization, diversity can play a role in economic growth because it positively impacts industrialization. Having people from all demographics also drives innovation in the workplace.

Planning Communities For All Ages And Ethnicities

The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging report “Making Your Community Livable for All Ages: What’s Working?” revealed that every day 10,000 people turn 65 in the United States. By 2030, the number of older adults is expected to represent nearly 20% of the population, which makes us wonder if our communities are prepared for it.

The report not only raise awareness to the problem, but also goes beyond, suggesting ten strategies to make communities more livable for all ages. These strategies include celebrating racial and ethnic diversity, honoring the uniqueness of local communities, revering older adults, and taking age into consideration during debates.

Another interesting statistic shows that the country is becoming more ethnically diverse: While 80% of Americans over age 65 are white, 50% of Americans under age 5 are non-white.

If we want to build a better world, the question we have to repeatedly ask is: Are we making our communities more inclusive?

CREED LA fights to ensure that developers pay fair wages to all the hard working construction professionals throughout the industry while simultaneously providing them with quality health care, continued training, and trustworthy retirement plans. To learn more about how our non-profit organization supports those building a better, greener world for us all, contact CREED LA online or at (877) 810-7473.

Cities draw people together. They provide opportunities for connections, careers, lifestyles, families, and more.

So why are so many of them designed for cars?

“If you plan cities for cars and traffic, you get cars and traffic. If you plan for people and places, you get people and places.” – Fred Kent

Nowadays, many cities are trapped in a cycle: rapid growth increases the need for more roads, which increases the need for more cars, and repeat. While the original goal of highways was to improve mobility, evidence shows that rush hour traffic is neither relaxing nor efficient. Mobility is at the heart of most cities, but at what point is that no longer beneficial?

Some cities are taking action and creating sustainable spaces that put people first. These are some of the ways they’re succeeding.

Placemaking

Streets are where people come together and live their lives—conversations, errands, purchases, and more happen on the streets. Imagine how valuable these interactions could be without vehicles to interrupt them. Traffic and road capacity are the results of deliberate choices made to shape communities. Instead of accommodating only vehicles, these choices can accommodate everyone: pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. The Metrocable in Medellin is one example of how city choices can improve streets as places.

Increasing Parks and Public Spaces

Consider this: a city that provides a pleasant environment for its children and elderly is a city that would work for everyone. In Bogotá, Colombia, Mayor Enrique Peñalosa decided the city needed to focus on how it could improve life for the 70% of people who did not own cars, instead of the 30% who did. Under his leadership, the city saw 1,200 new or renovated parks, new bicycle paths and pedestrian streets, and 100,000 new planted trees. As a result, the city was able to reduce rush hour traffic by 40% and increase a sense of civic pride among the residents.

Implementing Car-Free Zones

Many cities around the world have started implementing car-free zones in their central districts. In Amsterdam, half of the traffic in the city is actually via bicycles. In the International Business District in Songdo, South Korea, driving is optional because the district was designed to eliminate the need for cars: this is one of the best ways to begin the journey towards a people-designed city.

So, let’s get started!

Ironworkers Were Instrumental in Helping the Wilshire Grand Center Make its Mark on Los Angeles

The accolades & critical acclaim for downtown LA’s new 73 story Wilshire Grand Center wouldn’t have been possible without the work of thousands of people in varying trades. However, ironworkers from helped the 1,100 ft. structure not just rise taller than anything else in the city – and taller than anything west of the Mississippi River for that matter – but set a world record doing so!

Turner Construction Company sought to claim the record for the largest continuous concrete pour, amounting to 21,200 cubic yards altogether. To do so, approximately 7 million pounds of reinforcing steel was expertly placed and tied by ironworkers. Over the course of six weeks, these hardworking individuals readied the site so the pour attempt could take place. Finally, on Saturday, February 15, 2014, concrete began flowing into 18-foot-deep rebar and… Record accomplished!

The Coalition for Responsible Equitable Economic Development (CREED LA) proudly supports environmentally-responsible construction projects throughout Los Angeles that not only have a positive impact on the local community, but support LA’s working families as well.

CREED LA fights to ensure that developers pay fair wages to all the hard working construction professionals throughout the industry while simultaneously providing them with quality health care, continued training, and trustworthy retirement plans. To learn more about how our non-profit organization supports those building a better, greener world for us all, contact CREED LA at (877) 810-7473.

Photo: http://happeningindtla.com/wilshire-grand-tower-explored/

Drones are becoming increasingly useful within the construction industry.

With approximately a million catalogued species on Earth, insects come in all manner of shape, size, and function. To that end, the global obsession with drones has led to the creation of some very unique, specialized varieties.

Therefore, it was only a matter of time until the construction industry discovered ways to utilize these clever drone contraptions. Here are some of their increasingly popular uses:

• • Land surveying: Drones provide clear views of landscapes and terrain, making surveying more efficient and economical.
  • Site and safety inspection: Capable of flying into areas that people may not be able to safely access, drones keep workers safe and provide ‘eyes’ to inspectors.
  • Marketing and promotion production: Drone footage is becoming an increasingly popular way to generate interest in a project. One look at the video below and you’ll instantly understand why.

Indeed, as both software and hardware development continues, a drone’s usefulness will only increase further!

The Coalition for Responsible Equitable Economic Development (CREED LA) proudly supports environmentally-responsible construction projects throughout Los Angeles that not only have a positive impact on the local community, but support LA’s working families as well.

CREED LA fights to ensure that developers pay fair wages to all the hard working construction professionals throughout the industry while simultaneously providing them with quality health care, continued training, and trustworthy retirement plans. To learn more about how our non-profit organization supports those building a better, greener world for us all, contact CREED LA at (877) 810-7473.

image from: https://aibotix.com/