Cities and towns across the U.S. are rapidly densifying to accommodate population growth. While urbanization creates vibrant communities, it places significant strain on infrastructure systems that are often not designed to handle the capacity demands that come with high growth. As public agencies work to address failing infrastructure, civil engineers are poised to be their strategic partner in finding short and long-term solutions that help communities remain functional and equipped to accommodate urbanization. Whether we are updating outdated infrastructure or bringing existing systems up to code, it is critical that our improved infrastructure creates future-ready communities.
Addressing Overloaded and Outdated Systems
Overloaded and outdated systems can severely impact communities, posing economic, social, and environmental challenges. In high-growth cities like Charlotte, NC, rapid population growth is driving demand for new development. As a result, city leaders are faced with infrastructure that is nearing capacity or failing altogether, especially stormwater systems. Small-scale stormwater failures can impact residential neighborhoods with issues like flooding that damages homes and sinkholes that pose structural risks. Solutions like rightsizing pipes and upgraded catch basins are essential to preventing larger infrastructure failures.
Alternatively, large-scale stormwater failures can have long-term impacts, particularly in urban areas that require extensive improvements such as reconstructing entire pipe systems or restoring streams. These failures go beyond immediate fixes and require thoughtful planning to accommodate future development and changes in land use. This includes evaluating zoning and potential increases in impervious surfaces to design improvements like larger pipes that manage greater water volumes. These improvements ensure long-term functionality and support sustainable growth as communities expand.
To address these challenges, the City of Charlotte deployed new methods for managing the influx of small and large-scale stormwater improvement projects. Since 2010, LandDesign has provided our expertise and internal resources to manage the delivery of the city’s maintenance, minor, and major stormwater projects. This partnership has reduced the strain on the city’s internal resources and enabled a quicker, more efficient response to the failing infrastructure across Charlotte.
Addressing outdated and overloaded infrastructure systems is essential to mitigating economic, public health, and environmental risks. Rightsizing infrastructure offers a proactive solution, enhancing efficiency, reducing maintenance costs, and extending the lifespan of critical systems. This proactive approach supports functional communities that are prepared to meet the demands of today, while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow.
Overhauling Systems to Ensure Long-term Success
Failing infrastructure also presents opportunities for growing fringe communities to rethink their systems entirely. Kannapolis, NC, a once thriving mill town, faced significant challenges following the closure of its primary industry. The city’s infrastructure, originally designed to support the mill and its workforce, became outdated and insufficient for its current and projected population. Aging utilities, failing stormwater systems, and deteriorating roadways suffered from disrepair, leading to inefficiencies and increased maintenance costs. Additionally, the downtown area experienced high vacancies, with many historic buildings in states of neglect, further deterring economic development.
However, the city’s proximity to the growing Charlotte region catalyzed interest and investment from civic leaders anticipating an influx of new residents and businesses drawn to Kannapolis for its affordability and redevelopment potential. Rather than implementing minor improvements, the city took a comprehensive approach to infrastructure revitalization to support long-term growth and development. LandDesign was engaged to lead the infrastructure overhaul for a 15-block area of downtown and engineer public water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, and private utilities that equip downtown to expand over the next decade. The proposed utilities were strategically designed and installed to each development block to prevent the city from having to demolish portions of the road for future development.
Aging water and utility lines were replaced to increase capacity, ensuring that the city’s core systems could support both existing and future developments. A modern stormwater management system was introduced to mitigate flooding risks. The transportation infrastructure also saw key upgrades, with redesigned streetscapes aimed at improving pedestrian accessibility and traffic flow. This comprehensive approach not only addresses immediate deficiencies but laid the groundwork for the city’s sustained growth.
Urbanization in high-growth communities presents the opportunity to turn failing infrastructure into a springboard for progress. Addressing these deficiencies allows us to implement solutions that support densification in a responsible way. As urbanization accelerates, civil engineers are essential in building adaptable infrastructure that ensures our communities are prepared for long-term growth.
