Smart Surfaces Peer Learning Network
The Smart Surfaces Peer Learning Network (PLN) supports a rapidly growing community of urban infrastructure practitioners interested in adopting Smart Surfaces as a cost-effective way to combat extreme heat and stormwater flooding, improve public health, and save money.
Objectives
The PLN builds on SSC's Cities for Smart Surfaces program, connecting urban infrastructure professionals nationwide with resources for Smart Surface project design, federal funding opportunities, and policy development.
The PLN serves as a convening space for municipalities, researchers, and advocates to exchange technical and experiential knowledge about Smart Surfaces, including innovative materials and best practices for policy design and implementation.
The PLN aims to accelerate the adoption of Smart Surfaces in cities across the United States through peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
What are Smart SurfaceS?
Infrastructure strategies that cost-effectively manage urban heat and stormwater while maximizing health, resilience, and equity benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Smart Surfaces provide a wide array of benefits to cities, which are quantified in depth in the Delivering Urban Resilience report. Smart Surfaces help to mitigate the urban heat island effect, manage stormwater and reduce flood risk, and improve city livability. Due to their cooling effects, Smart Surfaces also improve public health and reduce energy costs. Research indicates that when deployed city-wide, Smart Surfaces generate $5 in benefits for every dollar spent.
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Peers meet virtually every other month to discuss innovative Smart Surface projects, share best practices, and collaborate to accelerate the adoption of Smart Surfaces as an urban design standard and climate resilience strategy.
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The Smart Surfaces Peer Learning Network is designed to support local government staff who are actively working on, or interested in, sustainability and resilience in the built environment. This may include officials from sustainability, water, transportation, planning and budgetary offices, among others. The PLN currently comprises representatives from over 65 cities and counties across the US.
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Peers will receive exclusive access to data and information curated by the Smart Surfaces Coalition, including model ordinances, funding opportunities, grant templates, product databases, and lessons from the C4SS cohort.
Program partners
For further inquiries about the Smart Surfaces Peer Learning Network contact Iona at i.isachsen@smartsurfacescoalition.org