Cedar Rapids hosts ‘Sustainable City Talk’ Tuesday

CEDAR RAPIDS - The city of Cedar Rapids is hosting two University of Iowa scholars, who are to lead a discussion about making a sustainable city.

Craig Just, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, and Charles Connerly, a professor of urban and regional planning, are to give presentations as part of the first public 'Sustainable City Talk.” Tilted 'What the Science Says,” the event takes place from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, at the Cedar Rapids Public Library's Whipple Auditorium, 450 Fifth Ave SE.

The professors specialize in sustainable development, water quality, sustainable education, civil rights and urban planning, community development and sustainability in Iowa and the Upper Midwest, according to a news release about the event.

The presentations are to focus on how environmental, economic and social challenges, such as more frequent floods, the health of children and the elderly and drinking water quality, are scientifically tied to larger sustainability issues.

A question-and-answer session follows the presentations, and attendees can share priorities for officials to consider as they develop a sustainability plan for the city and city government.

A second Sustainable City Talk takes place in the Whipple Auditorium at 6 p.m. Jan. 31 and is to focus on how local organizations are integrating sustainability in their daily operations.