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.

Why the War in Syria Has Made the Country Much More Vulnerable to Earthquakes

Why the War in Syria Has Made the Country Much More Vulnerable to Earthquakes

Why the War in Syria Has Made the Country Much More Vulnerable to Earthquakes

02/28/23

“Why has the war in Syria made the country much more vulnerable to earthquakes?”

On February 6th, 2023 Northwestern Syria was shaken to its core by a colossal earthquake. While anywhere would be affected by such force, Syria’s Civil War has made it particularly vulnerable. The relentless bombings by Russia and the Assad Regime have destroyed scores of buildings and weakened many. Millions of Syrians have been displaced and forced to live in the Northwest so they won’t face Assad’s oppression. The regime and its backers have done everything in their power to make it difficult to bring aid to the area. This is Why the War in Syria Has Made the Country Much More Vulnerable to Earthquakes.

As of writing, victims of the 2023 Türkiye – Syria earthquake are continuing to face great difficulties in their daily life. To make a difference, please make a donation to organizations such as the Syrian White Helmets and the Anatolian Arts Institute Earthquake Relief Fund. My friends are also connecting donations to small municipalities and vetted organizations through the venmo account @earthquake-relief. Anything you send will go a long way.

Wildfire Buffer Zones

Wildfire Buffer Zones

Wildfire Buffer Zones

02/27/23

“How can we create plant-based defensible zones for wildfires?”

Wildfires spread quickly over dead plant materials. However, by creating zones of around human spaces of fire-resistant plants, we can create defenses to prevent such spread. These Wildfire Buffer Zones are an optimal way to increase resilience to wildfires and enhance community security.