Real Estate and Facilities

In Philadelphia, and many urban areas across the country with sewer systems dating back to the 1800s, more frequent flooding is posing a threat not only to people and property, but also to surrounding ecosystems. In these areas stormwater and sewage drain into the same pipes and when flooding occurs they are designed to spill into nearby waterways, rather than inundating streets. Researchers at Drexel University, in collaboration with the Philadelphia Water Department, are looking at the long-term water quality impact of these events — called combined sewer overflows — to understand what steps could be taken to mitigate their negative effects.

Reducing the negative environmental impact of buildings — globally one of largest contributors to greenhouse gas — might be even more difficult than expected. New research from Drexel University indicates that, due to the steady increase in damaging extreme weather events each year, designers must begin to consider not if, but how long, their buildings will be rendered inoperable — and how the resources to get it back online will contribute to its overall environmental impact.