Commercial buildings are buildings where people lease spaces to carry out various income-generating activities (businesses). For example, a building with retail stores, offices, restaurants, beauty parlors, a supermarket, etc., is a commercial building. So, can commercial buildings be used as…
Infrastructure
Should Road Construction Be Done at Night?
Nighttime road construction is a contentious issue. Road or highway upgrade and maintenance at night is also intensely debated by the proponents and critics. There are significant advantages and disadvantages of nighttime road construction, so the moot point is if…
7 Reasons Why Road Work Takes So Long
There’s nothing more frustrating than having to take detours on your morning commute, especially when it seems like you’ve had to do it forever. Road work is all too common in cities all across the country. As frustrating as it…
Why Do City Sewers Hold So Much Heat?
Something you may have noticed about New York is that it’s very steamy. The steam billows from manholes around the city and wafts up into the air – but why? As it turns out, city sewers can get pretty warm.…
9 Reasons Why Smart Cities Are More Needed Than Ever
If you’ve ever heard of smart city technology, then you’ve probably heard about the efficiency and progressive growth that goes along with it. There are over 170 cities in the world that have introduced smart city technology projects, but that…
Urban Planning vs. City Planning: Differences Explained
City planning and urban planning share many commonalities. Both aim to improve the physical built environment and social landscape through strategic planning and policy, with urban planning focused on larger, more mature cities. Both urban and city planning have the…
Why Are Highway Signs Usually Green?
One thing many drivers have never considered is that road signs are designed to be different colors intentionally. We all know of traffic lights being specific colors, but what about other road signs? Many of us may wonder, why are…
6 Common Reasons Why Smart Cities Fail
Smart cities are often touted as the future of modern society, where technology is meant to work seamlessly within our lives to make life easier, faster, and more interconnected. Smart cities, however, face numerous problems that often make them fail.…
Why Are Bridges Built So High off the Ground?
We’ve all marveled at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and its towering piers, either in real life or through a screen. But have you ever wondered why exactly those piers are that tall? And why are bridges built so high…
This Is How Bridges Expand and Contract
Did you know that bridges are intentionally designed to move? Bridges join gaps we’d otherwise have a hard time crossing, so as disturbing as this sounds, it’s true. Engineers build bridges to sway and move side to side, so they…
How Long Does It Take To Lay Asphalt Road?
Asphalt is often the default material used when it comes to laying roads. It has remained in use for centuries and will likely remain relevant for the foreseeable future. How long does it take to complete asphalt roads? It can…
Why Are Roads Built With So Many Curves?
Roads have been around since the ancient Romans started building them within their cities and conquered lands. Since then, roads have developed into more complex engineering structures connecting different cities, islands, and even countries. To build such a network of…