Learning from the Past

We can learn a lot from ancient civilizations, but urban planners are learning even more by studying the ruins of the Inca kingdom. A new exhibit at the Smithsonian in Washington DC shows how the Incas helped move water away from roads (and thereby preserving them) and reducing erosion from runoff. As the United States grapples with how to update our aging infrastructure, maybe we should look to ancient civilizations for inspiration and ideas.