Author: Isaac Gendler

Wildfire Buffer Vertical Spacing

Wildfire Buffer Vertical Spacing

Wildfire Buffer Vertical Spacing

03/09/23

“Why do we need to keep space between shrubs and trees to prevent wildfires?”

Wildfires can travel from flammable material to flammable material. This isn’t limited to one direction and can scale from the ground or shrubs to trees if they’re close enough. For this reason, it is recommended that planners implement Wildfire Buffer Vertical Spacing. This commonly comes in the form of ensuring all tree branches are at least six feet from the ground and/or four times the height of the shrubs beneath them. If done properly, this vertical spacing can make a place much more resilient to fires.

Why Abortion Access is a Fundamental Human Right

Why Abortion Access is a Fundamental Human Right

Why Abortion Access is a Fundamental Human Right

03/08/23

“Why is abortion access a fundamental human right?”

The United Nations’ Declaration of Human Rights is one of the most authoritative documents in enshrining the rights people of the world have. Article 27 of the passage states that Women, girls, and people who can become pregnant have the right to the benefits of scientific progress. This includes safe access to abortions. Furthermore, Article 18 enshrines religious freedom as a fundamental right. Given that some religions like Judaism require abortion access to necessary to protect the health, and mental or physical well-being of the woman/pregnant person, denying it would be an infringement. These are only a few of the reasons Why Abortion Access is a Fundamental Human Right.

To Celebrate International Women’s Day, please make a donation to Planned Parenthood. Abortion rights in the U.S. are under attack and need as much support as possible.

Urban Waterfronts

Urban Waterfronts

Urban Waterfronts

03/07/23

“What are urban waterfronts and how do they contribute to a city’s wellbeing?”

Many cities are built next to bodies of water, whether it be oceans, seas, rivers, or lakes. This creates a boundary that urban planners have to deal with differently than other parts of the cities. This ends up in the creation of Urban Waterfronts, or the interface between the city and a body of water. Urban waterfronts have a wide range of forms, from industrial zones to walking paths to commercial activity. Famous examples of waterfronts include Lake Merritt in Oakland, the Coney Island Theme Park in New York City, and Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro.

Image credit lakemerrittinstitute.org

Wildfire Buffer Zone Cost-Benefit Analysis

Wildfire Buffer Zone Cost-Benefit Analysis

Wildfire Buffer Zone Cost-Benefit Analysis

03/06/23

“How can we perform a cost-benefit analysis for wildfire buffer zones?”

Many municipalities in fire-prone areas are considering building a wildfire buffer zone. However, costs can limit the size, scope, and type of wildfire buffer zones feasible. Furthermore, communities might question if such a proposal is necessary at all. To solve this, municipalities can undertake Wildfire Buffer Zone Cost-Benefit Analysis to check what would be best for them. This includes studying what size buffer zones would work, how their geography would protect them from fires, and what types of funds they can raise.

Why Being Proactive in Checking the Weather Can Help Reduce Your Chance of Developing Skin Cancer

Why Being Proactive in Checking the Weather Can Help Reduce Your Chance of Developing Skin Cancer

Why Being Proactive in Checking the Weather Can Help Reduce Your Chance of Developing Skin Cancer

03/03/23

“Why can being proactive in checking the weather reduce your chance of developing skin cancer?”

Having too much sun exposure puts you at risk of developing skin cancer. However, if you are proactive about checking the weather, you’ll be able to see when the sun’s rays are strongest and avoid them. This is Why Being Proactive in Checking the Weather Can Help Reduce Your Chance of Developing Skin Cancer.

Why 3D Printing Musical Instruments Can Save on Transport Emissions

Why 3D Printing Musical Instruments Can Save on Transport Emissions

Why 3D Printing Musical Instruments Can Save on Transport Emissions

03/02/23

“Why can 3D printing musical instruments save on transport emissions?”

Musical instruments come in all shapes and sizes. However, some of the more hard-to-find ones may have to be transported from other parts of the world. Take for example the kanun. The kanun is a middle-eastern horizontal harp that is seldom made out of the region. A kanun enthusiast with an environmental conscious will be put in a catch-22 whether to buy a model or not contribute to emissions. 

But how could we use our engineering mindsets to solve this? Well, what if we were to just use 3D printing and create the instrument on the spot? This would cut out all of the carbon associated with moving the instrument around. This is Why 3D Printing Musical Instruments Can Save on Transport Emissions.

Why Metro Orgs Should Hire Engineers In-House

Why Metro Orgs Should Hire Engineers In-House

Why Metro Orgs Should Hire Engineers In-House

03/01/23

“Why should metro orgs hire engineers in-house?”

Metro orgs often don’t have the engineering personnel to build their long-term projects. However, when they outsource to a consulting firm, they run the risk of being overcharged and getting much less than they asked for. If metro orgs hire in-house instead, they can more diligently check the validity of the work being performed and have a much better performance. This is Why Metro Orgs Should Hire Engineers in House.