Natural Resources & Sustainability Archives

Cities for a Shared Planet

Alberti, M. (2026). Cities for a Shared Planet. The MIT Press.

Abstract

A powerful new vision of cities as engines of planetary evolution and multispecies cooperation.

Evolution, once associated with remote places and deep time, is unfolding in real time, much closer to home. Cities have become a new ecological stage on which evolution is taking place. Humans are now active participants shaping the trajectory of life on Earth. How can we use this knowledge to build more resilient and just futures for humans and other species?

In Cities for a Shared Planet, Marina Alberti envisions evolving urban ecosystems in which humans and other species shape their shared futures through new forms of cooperation. She argues that the convergence of rapid urbanization and accelerating environmental change may mark the onset of a major evolutionary transition—one that redefines the role of cities in planetary evolution. At the heart of this transformation is the emergence of bio-cooperative cities: adaptive, multispecies systems designed to sustain the evolutionary potential of urban life.

Drawing on urban ecology, evolutionary biology, design theory, and environmental justice, Alberti develops the foundations of bio-cooperation, advancing ecological interdependence and eco-evolutionary dynamics as core principles of urban design. Through imaginative scenarios and real-world case studies—from Singapore, Seattle, New York City, Ho Chi Minh City, and Cape Town—the book shows how multispecies interactions are transforming infrastructure, reshaping urban space, and redefining how urban environments are inhabited and evolve.

Engaging and eye-opening, Cities for a Shared Planet reimagines cities as active participants in a shared planetary future.

Ori Borjigin

My research is deeply rooted in the intersection of advanced technology and the construction industry. I am particularly interested in the exploration and application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC). Beyond these technological frontiers, sustainable engineering holds a special place in my academic pursuits. I am dedicated to merging innovative technology with sustainable methods, aiming for a construction industry that is both advanced and environmentally responsible.

Marina Alberti featured in UW News: How evolution influences nature-based infrastructure

Professor of Urban Design and Planning Marina Alberti has recently published a paper in Science, and been featured in a UW News story highlighting her work along with a large team of collaborative researchers. UDP PhD Student Anna Malesis-Dahm is another member of this research team who supported the the writing and conceptualization of the article published in Science. UW News featured Professor Alberti’s work in a Q&A piece, available here. The paper, “Evolving nature-based solutions for urban resilience” can…

Evolving nature-based solutions for urban resilience

Marina Alberti et al., Evolving nature-based solutions for urban resilience. Science 392, 701-708 (2026). DOI: 10.1126/science.aea9563.

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Abstract

Despite growing investments in nature-based solutions for urban resilience, their design often overlooks a fundamental biological process: evolution. Populations of organisms that sustain nature-based solutions are dynamic and can evolve over time. Rapid evolutionary changes, driven by urban environmental stressors, such as pollution, climate extremes, and habitat fragmentation, can reshape species’ traits, alter interactions, and shift ecosystem functions. We synthesize evidence of evolutionary change across systems that serve as nature-based solutions in urban contexts and show how evolutionary processes can enhance or undermine their performance. We propose four testable hypotheses linking evolutionary dynamics to nature-based solutions and outline design strategies to maintain adaptive potential. Integrating evolution into nature-based solutions is essential to ensure long-term and efficient functionality under accelerating environmental change.

Center for Timber Innovation in the Built Environment

The Center for Timber Innovation in the Built Environment at the University of Washington advances the understanding and adoption of mass timber as a sustainable, carbon-smart building material. Through interdisciplinary research, hands-on learning, and community partnerships, CTIBE drives innovation that supports both resilient communities and the natural systems that sustain them.

With Washington’s forests at a crossroads, responsibly managed second- and third-growth softwoods can provide affordable, climate-smart solutions for our state’s growing housing and infrastructure needs.

A bibliometrix-based scientometric-systematic analysis and visualization of the global outlook on post-occupancy evaluation of green building

Debrah, C., Chan, A. P. C., Darko, A., Akowuah, E., Amudjie, J., Asare, K. A. B., & Ghansah, F. A. (2025). A bibliometrix-based scientometric-systematic analysis and visualization of the global outlook on post-occupancy evaluation of green building. Building Research and Information : The International Journal of Research, Development and Demonstration, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2025.2521753.

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Abstract

To achieve sustainability goals, it has become increasingly important to conduct post-occupancy evaluation (POE) to assess and understand the actual performance of green buildings (GBs). However, there has been little effort to provide researchers with a systematic and scientometric analysis of the state of the POE-in-GB field. To address this gap, this study aims to review the field and identify major trends and gaps that can be addressed in future research. This paper combined several state-of-the-art tools (i.e. Bibliometrix R-tool, Python BibexPy, VOSviewer, and Gephi) for an extensive bibliometric analysis based on 251 publications identified from Scopus and Web of Science. Utilizing a theoretical framework of office productivity, 35 empirical POE-in-GB studies were selected for further qualitative-systematic analysis. The quantitative-bibliometric analysis revealed that POE-in-GB research hotspots include energy efficiency, occupant satisfaction, thermal comfort, IEQ, LEED, and sustainability. The qualitative-systematic analysis focused on the physical environment quality and load, behavioural environment and the POE protocols of POE-in-GB. Some future research directions proposed include: exploring socio-psychological factors in POE-in-GB, developing standardized protocols for POE-in-GB, aligning GB certifications with user satisfaction, and integrating technology and big data into POE-in-GB. This study provides insights to academics and practitioners working in the POE-in-GB domain.

Keywords

Built environment; building performance evaluation; literature review; sustainable building; sustainability

Effects of pollution on ecologically and economically important organisms of the Salish Sea

Axworthy, J. B., Bates, E. H., Grosser, M. P., & Padilla-Gamiño, J. L. (2025). Effects of pollution on ecologically and economically important organisms of the Salish Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 219, Article 118322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118322.

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Abstract

Marine pollution threatens ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health, impacting species fitness, disrupting food webs, and degrading essential habitats. This review examines the effects of marine pollution on key species in the Salish Sea, a vital ecosystem supporting diverse wildlife, including endangered species, and local economies reliant on fishing, aquaculture, and tourism. In total, we synthesized 116 studies including chemical pollution (78), biological pollution (15), marine debris (15), and sound pollution (8). Research on marine chemical pollution has primarily focused on pollutants in fish (41), followed by studies on birds (11), mammals (7), and bivalves (7), then invertebrates (2). Future investigations should broaden species coverage, assess various life stages, and evaluate the impact of climate change on pollutant accumulation. Biological pollution, driven mainly by intentionally introduced species like farmed shellfish and salmon, threatens native species and can spread pathogens. There is a pressing need for research on the effects of fecal-borne pathogens on marine organisms and the influence of seagrass beds, fish farms, and sewage outfalls on pathogen dynamics. Marine debris, especially derelict fishing gear, negatively impacts local organisms, while the effects of tire reefs and microplastics remain poorly understood. Research should integrate laboratory and field assessments to analyze microplastic ingestion and improve detection technologies to inform conservation efforts. Noise pollution research has focused on marine mammals like killer whales, highlighting how sound pollution disrupts communication and behavior, which can indirectly alter food webs and community dynamics. Future studies should also encompass other marine species, including fish and invertebrates. Understanding pollution impacts is crucial for developing effective mitigation strategies, protecting marine life, and ensuring sustainable ocean resource management for future generations.

Matt Grosser

Matt is a designer and researcher hailing from the Great South Bay of Long Island, New York. He is an interdisciplinary PhD student, and University of Washington MLA Graduate, whose practice has ranged from helping to oversee the design and implementation of New York City’s green infrastructure program to shoreline design and permitting throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Matt’s research focuses on how ecosystem-based infrastructural adaptation strategies can serve as a mechanism for stemming the impacts of climate change, with a specific interest in the role that critical ecologies and keystone species can play in resilience/adaptation design and planning. His work investigates how traditional and emerging ecologically-based infrastructural techniques could be improved and more broadly applied, as well as how the resultant socio-ecological bonds formed by the implementation of these strategies may elevate the role of ecological systems thinking for design and planning practices within the built environment.

When not pondering relationality within the web of life Matt can be found paddling around the waters of Seattle with his shiba inu Hideki.

The effects of urbanization on species interactions

Moreno-García, P., Savage, A., Salgado, A. L., Tartaglia, E. S., Cocciardi, J. M., Aronson, M. F. J., Jarzyna, M. A., Alberti, M., & Li, D. (2025). The effects of urbanization on species interactions. Nature Cities, 2(8), 693–702. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44284-025-00288-w.

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Abstract

Cities are renowned for catalyzing human interactions, but their distinctive environments also affect the interactions of other species. We discuss how urbanization affects species interactions and identify key knowledge gaps. With this context and using an eco-evolutionary lens, we frame urban environments as providing three consecutive filters: the presence of species, their co-occurrence and their relationships. Our framework offers a structured model for studying and managing urban species and environments to facilitate conservation and ecosystem services, benefiting urbanites of all stripes.

Portland Limestone Cement in Concrete Pavement and Bridge Decks: Performance Evaluation and Future Directions

Akerele, D. D., Aguayo, F., & Wu, L. (2025). Portland Limestone Cement in Concrete Pavement and Bridge Decks: Performance Evaluation and Future Directions. Buildings, 15(5), 660. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15050660

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Abstract

With the rising demand for sustainable infrastructure, addressing the limitations of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is crucial, particularly for exposed structures such as pavements and bridge decks. Portland limestone cement (PLC) is a sustainable alternative that delivers environmental benefits and comparable performance. This study used a systematic review and meta-analysis with a random-effects model to evaluate PLC’s strength development, durability, and sustainability. The findings indicate that PLC generally matches or surpasses OPC in terms of compressive strength, freeze–thaw resistance, and sulfate durability. However, its setting time and early-age cracking require further optimization, especially in cold climates. Additionally, this study highlights the fire performance advantages of PLC and its enhanced chloride resistance. The analysis identified critical research gaps, including long-term field performance and regional adaptation to extreme environmental conditions. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of PLC’s role in sustainable construction and offer future research directions on hybrid cements and admixture compatibility.

Keywords

Portland limestone cement (PLC); type 1L cement; concrete pavement; bridge deck; sustainability; low-carbon; CO2 reduction