Sources: Lafarge North America, Chicago; Lafarge Canada Inc., Toronto; CP staff
Through Building Better Cities, a brand positioning timed with cities’ increasing population density and unprecedented urban development worldwide, Lafarge NA aims to be a more involved player in sustainable construction and resilient building. The program spans key areas through which the producer can parlay concrete technology and sustainable construction solutions for commercial building interests and everyday consumers.
“We want to play our part in the improvement of towns and cities, through contribution to better roads, more sustainable buildings, more energy-efficient building solutions, all with a lesser impact on the environment,” affirms Lafarge U.S. CEO John Stull.
“Our mission is to provide solutions that build better cities and communities,” adds Lafarge Canada/Eastern CEO Bob Cartmel. “The cities where we live and work along with the infrastructure that supports our communities will benefit from the solutions we provide.”
The Building Better Cities strategy will see U.S. and Canadian operations promote a) solutions that encourage more sustainable housing options with an emphasis on affordable housing for all; b) availability of materials for the construction of sustainable, high-rise buildings that can help reduce urban sprawl; c) strength and longevity of construction materials, taking full account of environmental concerns, buildings’ energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions reduction potential; d) integration of innovation, performance and architectural expertise to create visually bold and beautiful solutions; and, e) development of all transportation infrastructure types that unite communities.
Urbanization is one of the biggest 21st century challenges, Lafarge NA contends. Over the next decade, cities will change substantially, as population growth is anticipated to occur almost exclusively in urban areas. By 2050, 70 percent of the world’s population will be living in towns and cities, compared with just over 50 percent today, resulting in 2 billion more city-dwellers.