Urban 3D Print Revolution

Cincinnati offers a desirable living environment, yet navigating its housing market proves daunting. With a growing population and the potential influx of climate migrants drawn to its climate-friendly atmosphere, the demand for housing is on the rise and can be foreseen to continue escalating. Balancing these demands alongside concerns of urban heat and escalating carbon levels prompts the question: How can we develop housing solutions that not only meet the high demand for housing but also mitigate urban heat and reduce carbon concentrations?

Urbanization has led to unprecedented challenges in housing affordability and environmental sustainability, particularly in rapidly growing cities like Cincinnati. As the population continues to expand, the demand for affordable housing options has intensified, exacerbating existing housing disparities and affordability crises. Concurrently, the escalating threat of climate change has underscored the need for resilient and sustainable urban development strategies to mitigate environmental risks and safeguard community well-being.

In response to these multifaceted challenges, this project aims to explore the potential of 3D housing printing technology as a transformative solution to address housing affordability while promoting urban heat resilience and carbon concentration adaptability in Cincinnati. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has emerged as a technology with the capacity to revolutionize traditional construction methods, offering cost-effective, efficient, and customizable housing solutions.

The project builds upon the intersection of two critical planning trends identified by the American Planning Association (APA) - Housing Challenges and Solutions, and Looming Climate Impact and Adaptation Challenges.

A mix of qualitative and quantitative data formed the building blocks of this project. These were collected through primary and secondary sources. The primary data used for the project was sourced through Key Informant Interviews with some personnel with knowledge, experience, and insights into various aspects of the project. The credits session will provide details of these key informants and their backgrounds. These interviews provided valuable input and insights on some avenues to explore from secondary sources to harness our findings that led to our final outputs and deliverables.

To complement the primary data gathered from these Key Informant Interviews, secondary data were collected through a comprehensive review of literature from diverse sources, including academic journals, books, articles, news articles, podcasts, video documentaries, websites, and other reputable publications. The aim was to gather a broad spectrum of information relevant to the exploration of 3D housing printing technology, alternative construction materials, sustainable design practices, and emerging innovative technologies.

By leveraging a diverse range of secondary data sources, a comprehensive knowledge base was built, and these informed the proposal of the design, development, and implementation of 3D-printed housing prototypes in Cincinnati. The synthesized findings will contribute to evidence-based decision-making, innovation diffusion, and knowledge transfer within the fields of urban planning, architecture, engineering, and sustainable development.

Areas 1000ft from Highways, Railways or Heavy Industries are at high risk of carbon exposure (Samuels & Freemark, 2022). Based on this, carbon-dense areas were mapped in varied degrees of risks.

The proximity to industrial activities increases the likelihood of inhaling pollutants such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter, which can have detrimental effects on respiratory health and overall well-being.

Highways are major sources of carbon emissions, along with other pollutants. These emissions can have adverse effects on air quality, leading to respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and other health issues for nearby residents.

Diesel-powered trains emit carbon dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) during operation. These emissions can contribute to poor air quality, especially for communities located close to railway tracks. Studies have indicated that individuals residing within proximity to railway lines may experience higher levels of air pollution, potentially leading to respiratory issues and other health concerns.

Various levels of carbon risk zones were assessed and classified based on their proximity to either two or all three contributing factors. By employing the intersect tool, areas within a 1000-foot radius of two of the three factors were identified as having high carbon emissions, while those within a 1000-foot radius of all three factors were designated as the highest-risk carbon areas.

Another component of the project was urban heat islands of Cincinnati. These areas were mapped with data from the Cincinnati Ohio Heat Watch Report prepared by CAPA Strategies in the Summer of 2020. This heat data was collected on August 10, 2020, which was the hottest day of that year. With a maximum heat index of 93.04  ^o F and a minimum of 80.33  ^o F, a map was made to visualize areas with heat greater than or equal to 86.68  ^o F (average of minimum and maximum heat value). A much hotter zone was mapped for areas with heat greater than or equal to 89.86  ^o F (average of 86.68  ^o F and 93.04  ^o F)

Housing is the most valuable property for many households and homeownership is vital for wealth generation and the anchoring element in the construction and expansion of cities (Wachter, 2018). Yet access to housing is a major challenge bedeviling many cities worldwide (Behr et al., 2021; Falk & Rudlin Jonah, 2018; International Housing Association, 2021; Plainiotis, 2020; Wachter, 2018). According to the  American Psychological Association (2021), at least 1.5 million Americans yearly live without homes, and many more unaccounted-for persons live doubled up and in jam-packed and perilous settings because of insufficient supplies of adequate affordable housing. It is not surprising that issues around housing challenges and sustainable solutions have been talked about yearly in the APA Trends reports since 2022 (American Planning Association, 2022, 2023, 2024). Across many urban centers, there are pressing needs to address housing challenges such as affordability, accessibility, and sustainability. The demand for adequate housing options continues to overtake the supply, which leads to housing shortages, increased housing costs, and inequitable access to housing opportunities. This trend emphasizes the urgency for innovative solutions to effectively tackle these housing challenges and ensure equitable access to safe, affordable, and resilient housing options for all residents.

The majority of our neighborhoods have seen little or no housing growth since 2010, and only 18 of them have experienced an increase in units. Not only that, but the neighborhoods that saw the largest growth in housing units, on average, saw the smallest increase in housing costs, while the neighborhoods that saw modest housing gains or losses saw housing costs skyrocket.

As global temperatures continue to rise, a wide array of impacts is rapidly emerging. Climate displacement is growing, and evolving strategies for more proactively managing retreats from high-hazard areas are seeing renewed interest from practitioners and communities nationwide. Fears around the role of wildfire—not just as a hazard, but also as a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions—are also starting to rise, alongside a growing interest in the sources of poor air quality. Ultimately, the dawning reality of climate impacts will require planners to adjust and plan accordingly to avoid catastrophic loss of life, prevent the destruction of property, and protect community well-being.

The phenomenon of climate displacement is becoming increasingly prevalent as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and other climate-related hazards render certain areas uninhabitable or unsafe for human settlement. Coastal communities are particularly vulnerable, facing the dual threats of sea-level rise and more intense storms. In response, planners are exploring innovative approaches to managed retreat, which involves strategically relocating communities away from high-risk areas to safer locations. This proactive strategy requires careful consideration of social, economic, and environmental factors to ensure equitable outcomes for affected residents.

Wildfires have also emerged as a major concern, not only due to their immediate impact on lives and property but also because of their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and poor air quality. As climate change exacerbates drought conditions and increases the frequency and intensity of wildfires, planners are reevaluating land-use practices, building codes, and emergency response strategies to mitigate risks and protect communities. This includes measures such as wildfire-resistant landscaping, enhanced firefighting capabilities, and improved communication and evacuation plans.

Furthermore, poor air quality, exacerbated by factors such as industrial pollution, vehicle emissions, and wildfire smoke, poses significant health risks to communities across the globe. Planners are working to identify sources of air pollution and implement policies and interventions to reduce emissions and improve air quality standards. This may involve promoting alternative transportation methods, expanding green spaces, and transitioning to cleaner energy sources.

In the face of these mounting challenges, planners must adapt their practices to address the evolving realities of climate change. This includes integrating climate resilience considerations into all aspects of planning, from land use and infrastructure development to emergency preparedness and community engagement. By taking proactive measures to mitigate risks and build adaptive capacity, planners can help safeguard lives, property, and the well-being of communities in the face of a changing climate.

The two trends intersect in a way that highlights the urgent need for innovative housing solutions that not only address affordability and accessibility issues but also integrate climate resilience measures to combat urban heat and other climate-related challenges. Exploring alternative construction materials and design options through 3D printing technology presents an intriguing avenue for investigation, offering the potential to simultaneously tackle housing affordability, carbon adaptation and urban heat resilience.

The maps displayed illustrate regions within the City of Cincinnati that face a risk of carbon emissions, along with areas designated as Heat Islands. These maps serve to offer an understanding of the heat and carbon emission characteristics across different parcels within the city. Their objective is to assist homeowners and builders in selecting suitable housing prototypes tailored to these conditions.

Embracing 3D house printing technology presents an unparalleled opportunity to address our city's housing challenges with ingenuity and efficiency. By leveraging this cutting-edge approach, we can easily and affordably transform single-family homes into multi-family residences or create additional housing units, effectively increasing the City's housing supply.

The flexibility in design and the ability to print homes onsite significantly enhance the capacity for infill housing and gentle density. 3D house printing technology offers unprecedented design flexibility, allowing us to customize housing solutions that seamlessly integrate into existing urban landscapes. This adaptability is instrumental in revitalizing underutilized spaces and maximizing land use efficiency, ultimately fostering vibrant and sustainable communities.

Watch the video below to see how this site above can be transformed with 3D house printing to increase housing and promote density

• Begin small-scale trials of 3D-printed housing in high-demand neighborhoods.
• Forge partnerships to advance research on 3D printing technology and materials.
• Offer incentives like simplified permits and tax benefits to encourage 3D housing adoption.
• Develop training programs for locals to gain skills in 3D printing and sustainable construction.
• Foster community involvement to ensure diverse perspectives and inclusive implementation.
• Explore financing options tailored to make 3D-printed housing affordable for all income levels.
• Amend zoning codes and laws to make this possible.

The significance of this project lies in its potential to address critical housing challenges while simultaneously mitigating the adverse impacts of urban heat and carbon pollution in Cincinnati. By leveraging 3D printing technology and exploring alternative construction materials and design approaches, the project offered innovative solutions that are not only cost-effective but also environmentally sustainable. Furthermore, the project's focus on urban heat resilience and carbon pollution aligns with broader efforts to enhance the city's climate resilience and adaptability. By demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of 3D-printed housing prototypes in mitigating urban heat and providing affordable housing options, the project should inform policy decisions, urban planning initiatives, and development strategies aimed at fostering more inclusive, equitable, and resilient communities and thus contribute to the creation of healthier, more sustainable urban environments for future generations.