CM #TBA

Guest Host: APA Smart Cities Interest Group (SCIG) + APA Water & Planning Network (WPN)While data centers have been distinct land uses since at least the 1990s, their scale and speed of deployment have exploded in recent years due to cloud computing and the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI). This webinar will explore the multifaceted implications of data centers for local communities, focusing on environmental sustainability – particularly energy and water usage. Loudon County, VA Supervisor Mike Turner will cover lessons learned in the community with the largest concentration of data centers in the world, including developing trends in the data center landscape, possible future scenarios, and 15 best practices for local communities. Chris Dietz, Critical Infrastructure Analyst with the Idaho National Laboratory, will take a deeper dive into data center infrastructure requirements, impacts, and emerging technologies. Manny Patole, Assistant Professor at NYU’s Tandon Center for Urban Science and Progress, will conclude with thoughts on the broader implications of data centers and AI for planners and communities, including environmental justice and the role of technology in serving people. Links to a comprehensive set of resources on planning for data centers will be provided as part of the presentation.

CM 1.5