Residents – �鶹��Ƶ

Bioadaptation Project for the Ecosystems of the Valle de las Palmas River Basin – Tijuana (community intervention)

Ada Inman — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 18:29:49 +0000

Teachers and students from FCITEC coordinated their courses around a project focused on community activity in Valle de las Palmas (municipality of Tecate, Baja California). This section of the project analyzes the legal, hydrological, resource management, and project administration aspects of construction waste management the Valle de las Palmas area, considering its impact on the local population and how to improve public health in the town.

Students and teachers from five educational programs participated on this project (Civil Engineering; Bioengineering; Software Engineering and Emerging Technologies; Industrial Engineering; and a Master’s in Public Health program). Field visits were conducted in the town and along the Valle de las Palmas stream, and in this first phase, community-based initiatives were implemented towards a public school.

The project is linked to an external organization called the Mexican Association for Recycling Construction and Demolition Waste (Asociación Mexicana de Reciclaje de Residuos de Construcción y Demolición A.C.) and aims to analyze local legislation and incorporate sustainable practices to reduce the environmental impact in the area.

On December 9th, a progress presentation was made before members of the community and local government, and work will continue during the 2026-1 semester (January-May).

Bioadaptation of ecosystems in the Valle de las Palmas-Tijuana river basin. Recycling of construction waste and glass

Ada Inman — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 18:28:05 +0000

Teachers and students from FCITEC coordinated their courses around a project involving the community of Valle de las Palmas (municipality of Tecate, Baja California). The project seeks to evaluate the use of materials recovered from construction waste and glass in order to promote sustainable construction practices and mitigate the community’s vulnerability to soil, aquifer, and air pollution, as well as the risk of flooding inherent in the extraction of natural resources in the Valle de las Palmas area.
Students and professors from five courses in the Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering programs participated. Field visits were conducted in the town of Valle de las Palmas, and in this first phase, actions were implemented at a local school.
The project is linked to an external entity called the Border Environmental Education Project (Proyecto Fronterizo de Educación Ambiental, A.C) and aims to incorporate sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact and promote the use of materials derived from construction waste in the area.

On December 9th, a progress presentation was made before members of the community and local government, and works will continue during the 2026-1 semester (January-May).

Midnight Rice – KON KAO YA KOO Chang Moi

Ada Inman — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:46:19 +0000

Chang Moi district is selected as creative district by Thailand creative and design center since 2019. This district has known for various of culture movements and presently has rising numbers of new business such as cafe, bars, restaurant etc. On the other day, creative district does not just focus on present business, but also has to engage and empower local community which is foundation of local knowledge and cultural asset. Since city development plan strikes to Chang Moi district in 1960s. Streets, real estate and private properties are mainly built for business purpose. Chompoo temple was a community center where located to bind villages and locals with social activities. Now the scene is gone. The purpose of design is to engage and drive this district with idea of Neighborhood economy networking. This project brainstorms with local and entrepreneurs in the district and then we selected “Kon Kao Ya Koo Chang Moi” festival which restores the idea of Temple centered community and intentionally collaborates with community networks. To represent community festival with historical townscape, the event has to create special experience for telling relative local story with community sites. Project method is to hold design thinking process with local and new entrepreneurs and create Visual integrated with existing elements where is the story telling for festival and cold local tales. The design outcome is AR technology through social media. The project merges 3 storytelling with 3 elements in Chompoo temple. There are 3 local tales which is not recorded as cultural assets for Chang Moi community. First, the twin pagoda, Chompoo temple creates Pagoda which refers to Doi Suthep temple’s pagoda because the relative roots of monk from Chompoo temple and Doi Suthep temple is connected with Kru Ba Srivichai. Besides local community was originally craftsman, worker and labors then they had no time to make merit with Doi Suthep temple, So they want to conceptual The pagoda of Chompoo temple as Twin pagoda with Doi Suthep temple. Secondly, Chang Moi is a name to be called community because this area was a place for King elephants’ recess in the ancient. Then local and new community wants to present the meaning of this district along the street where are binding temple with old village. Third, as Kon Kao Ya Koo festival is local gathering to create social activities in Main court in front of temple. This event is rare to be seen and local keeps continuing for over 50 years. Local donates ingredient for “Kao Ya Koo” (Holy rice) such as rice, honey, sugar, brown sugar, bean, sesame etc. Then they mix and stir as holy rice in the midnight of full moon night in Twelve Lanna mouth. (Presently, it is a night before Loy Kratong day). So, we need to explain this event on main court of the temple which restores old axis and community plaza. Finally, these 3 AR designs will be used as Instagram filter to conveniently use for new people and tourists who visit this community and neighbors.

Using GIS to Assess Seismic Vulnerability in National City

Ada Inman — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:38:10 +0000

This report presents a comprehensive assessment of seismic vulnerability in National City, completed by students from San Diego State University’s Geography 584 (GIS Applications) course in collaboration with the Sage Project and the City of National City. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the project combined a parcel-level inventory of residential buildings with geophysical and social data to identify patterns of vulnerability across neighborhoods. Key factors analyzed included soil type, slope, and liquefaction risk, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s Social Vulnerability Index. These elements were incorporated into a Weighted Linear Combination model to produce a composite vulnerability score for each parcel in National City. Due to time constraints, the final analysis in this report was conducted for all parcels citywide; however, future work will refine the queries to focus specifically on residential parcels. The results highlight where physical hazards and social vulnerabilities overlap, providing city officials with a data-driven foundation for hazard mitigation planning, infrastructure retrofits, and targeted community outreach.

The City of National City Hazards Preparedness and Mitigation Plan

Ada Inman — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:32:39 +0000

“This report, developed through a partnership between the City of National City and San Diego State University’s C P 690 graduate course, presents a comprehensive Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) addressing three primary natural threats: earthquakes, floods, and fires. In assessing these threats, the report identifies National City’s intersecting environmental, infrastructural, and social vulnerabilities, including aging housing stock, low-lying, flood-prone terrain, seismic fault proximity, and a high concentration of low-income, elderly, and renter populations.
Each hazard chapter outlines current conditions, risk factors, and targeted mitigation strategies rooted in climate adaptation, environmental justice, and equity-based planning. For earthquakes, the report highlights over 15,000 homes and 892 businesses at risk, calling for seismic retrofitting, soft-story building inventories, and zoning overlays to limit new development in liquefaction zones. The flood section responds to events like the January 2024 Paradise Creek flood with proposals for green infrastructure, upgraded stormwater systems, and protective zoning. Fire mitigation focuses on structure fire risks due to overcrowding and aging infrastructure, recommending public education campaigns, fire-safe building codes, and emergency preparedness programs.
A central theme throughout the report is inclusive, multilingual, and culturally responsive community engagement. The report proposes youth disaster ambassador programs, neighborhood outreach events, resident-led advisory committees, and partnerships with schools and nonprofits to build local resilience capacity. Tools like CalEnviroScreen and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Risk Index guide equitable resource allocation by identifying the most socially vulnerable areas.
The report aligns closely with the City of National City’s General Plan, Climate Action Plan, and Housing Element, ensuring consistency across city policies. It emphasizes the importance of embedding resilience into land use decisions, infrastructure investments, and emergency planning, with particular attention to protecting low-income, elderly, and linguistically isolated populations. By integrating data-driven assessments with community knowledge, the report positions the City of National City to proactively address hazard risks and build a safer, more equitable future for all residents.

Sustainable Transportation in City of National City: A Community Perspective

Ada Inman — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:29:40 +0000

In Fall 2024, San Diego State University (SDSU) student researchers enrolled in Dr. Norah Shultz’s Sociology 407 course collaborated with National City and SDSU’s Sage Project to support ongoing efforts aimed at improving transportation access, safety, and sustainability in District 1. This collaboration was part of a larger initiative tied to the City’s Sustainable Mobility Plan, a strategy funded in part by a Caltrans Sustainable Communities Grant. The grant enables planning efforts that center equity, encourage walking, biking, and public transit use, and promote inclusive community participation. Within this framework, the student-led research sought to gather feedback from individuals who live, work, operate businesses, or commute in and around District 1. The goal was to better understand how existing transportation systems influence experiences of mobility, safety, and access in this part of the city, with special consideration to walking, biking, and public transit.
The class organized into four research groups, each focused on a specific topic area: non-car traffic, older adults and their unique mobility needs, drainage infrastructure, and car traffic. Over the course of the data collection period, researchers gathered responses from residents, business owners, and commuters familiar with District 1. While each group explored a different factor impacting transportation, common themes arose. Respondents raised concerns about sidewalk conditions, poor lighting, signage clarity, and localized flooding. Older residents expressed appreciation for services like Free Rides Around National City (FRANC), while also noting limitations in transit stop comfort and accessibility.
Participants in the drainage group emphasized how flooding-related obstacles, notably near Paradise Creek and the San Diego Bay, interfered with safe and routine travel. Across surveys, participants appeared passionate in their desire to contribute to infrastructure planning through meetings or other direct feedback opportunities. This invested interest highlights the importance of maintaining open, accessible channels for community input in future City-orchestrated efforts. The report concludes with several community-informed recommendations, including improvements to sidewalks and crosswalks, transit stop upgrades, clearer signage, drainage investments, and more inclusive outreach strategies. Altogether, these findings offer insight into how community perspectives can support and complement the City’s continuing work to enhance mobility and transportation access throughout District 1.

On the Ground: An Applied Anthropology Study of Community Perspectives on Equitable and Sustainable Mobility in National City

Ada Inman — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:21:06 +0000

This report presents the findings of an applied anthropology partnership between students in Anthropology 531: Methods in Applied Anthropology at San Diego State University and the City of National City, conducted through the SDSU Sage Project. The class sought to answer the question:
“According to community members, what are the obstacles to sustainable mobility in National City, and what solutions could help expand its use?”
Through walking ethnographies, interviews, and community engagement in all four city districts, students documented both infrastructural and cultural barriers to sustainable mobility. The key findings include: access and equity gaps in transit coverage and usability; safety and infrastructure concerns across pedestrian, cycling, and transit systems; limited public awareness and trust in existing city initiatives; and persistent car dependency shaped by social and practical considerations.
Residents of National City are very involved with and consistently expressed their commitment to community improvement, paired with frustration over issues such as poor lighting, unsafe crossings, unreliable buses, and lack of awareness about available services like the FRANC shuttle.
Quotations from District 2 such as “Driving is just shorter” and “I’d rather drive than wait in the sun for a bus that might not come” capture the lived realities shaping transportation choices.
The recommendations offered in this report—expanding FRANC coverage, improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, enhancing safety and awareness, and prioritizing equity and accessibility—represent practical, community-grounded steps toward a more inclusive and sustainable mobility future for National City.

Water Quality Monitoring at Halfmoon Creek

Ada Inman — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 17:25:04 +0000

The purpose of this class is to introduce students to measurement and monitoring equipment and techniques commonly used in the design and analysis of hydrologic systems. This course is primarily a lab-based course. In this project, the students worked with The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), in collaboration with local stakeholders and project partners, who is developing a Section 319 Nonpoint Source Watershed Management Plan for Halfmoon Creek by June 2020. The plan will encompass a restoration plan with a long-term goal of getting Halfmoon Creek delisted as an impaired stream. Monitoring the surface water quality and streamflow of the creek will be essential for tracking incremental milestones of the restoration plan we develop, and therefore, beginning monitoring before implementation of the plan occurs is critical to establish a baseline. CBF, project partners, and the local community will greatly benefit from the data that students will collect and analyze, as it will contribute to an inventory of baseline data and can later be compared to future monitoring data as more and more projects get implemented and conservation practices get adopted throughout the watershed. The data will also give a greater understanding of the current conditions of Halfmoon Creek and the watershed.

Sustainable Communities Collaborative Contact Info
University Faculty Contact
Michael L. Hile, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator and Adviser for the ERM program
mlh144@psu.edu
814-865-6942

Enhancing Disaster Preparedness of Lakeshore Communities in Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines

Ada Inman — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 19:23:43 +0000

The project titled “Enhancing Disaster Preparedness of Lakeshore Communities in Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines” is a collaborative initiative between the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and the City Government of Calamba, implemented under the �鶹��Ƶ framework. It was conceptualized to address the urgent needs of ten lakeshore barangays in Calamba that are highly susceptible to flooding due to their proximity to Laguna Lake. These communities face chronic challenges related to poor solid waste management, health and sanitation issues, and inadequate disaster preparedness—conditions that were further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To directly respond to these local vulnerabilities, the project aligned its objectives with key global targets, specifically Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Prior to project implementation, partnerships were established with various academic units within UPLB, including three graduate-level courses: DEVC 208 (Communication Approaches in Development Programs) from the College of Development Communication, and DM 201 (Development Perspective) and DM 223 (Project Development Management) from the College of Public Affairs and Development. Faculty members supervised students as they applied academic knowledge to address community-based development issues.
The project also involved collaboration with critical offices of the City Government of Calamba, namely the City Agricultural Services Department (CASD), City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), and the City Information, Investment Promotions, and Employment Services Office (IIPESO). Barangay officials, the Bantay Lawa Volunteers, and the Fishery and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC) were also vital community partners, providing on-the-ground insights and local support.
The project had two primary components. The first focused on crafting and implementing an Information and Education Campaign (IEC) on sanitation and waste management during flooding in the pandemic context. Graduate students from DEVC 208 conducted situation and audience analyses, designed culturally relevant IEC materials (tarpaulins, calendars, and leaflets), and worked closely with barangays to ensure effective dissemination. Materials were distributed in print and shared through the city’s social media platforms and local radio, helping to broaden awareness, particularly among youth and household leaders. Post-distribution focus group discussions confirmed increased knowledge and behavioral change in solid waste management, reinforcing the project’s alignment with SDGs 3 and 6.
The second component aimed to enhance disaster preparedness by revisiting the existing Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plans (BDRRMPs). Graduate students from DM 201 and DM 223 assessed the plans using development and project planning frameworks, identifying gaps, and proposing practical, data-informed improvements. These assessments and recommendations were submitted to barangay and city officials and are now being considered in the revision of both local and city-wide disaster preparedness plans—contributing directly to SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Ultimately, the project fostered a model of community-engaged scholarship and intersectoral collaboration. It demonstrated how universities can leverage academic resources to empower vulnerable communities, strengthen local governance, and advance sustainable development goals. Moving forward, the project partners are committed to ensuring the continuity of its gains through expanded partnerships with schools, ongoing LGU engagement, training sessions, and support for localized policy development—promoting long-term resilience and sustainability in Calamba’s lakeshore communities.

STRENGTHENING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION IN PENANG: RESEARCH, INTRODUCTION AND EDUCATION OF ECONOMIC FOOD WASTE COMPOSTER (EFWC) AROUND PENANG HILL BIOSPHERE RESERVE

Ada Inman — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 18:56:32 +0000

The Strengthening Environmental Conservation project is a collaborative effort between Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) through its EduGreen Centre, the Habitat Foundation, and the Ayer Hitam Community Centre, aimed at promoting sustainable food waste management and environmental education in communities surrounding Georgetown, Penang. This initiative centers around empowering local schools, teachers, and residents through training, technology, and community engagement to adopt composting practices using the Smart Eco Food Waste Composter (EFWC), developed by Prof. Dr. Che Zalina and team’s from UPSI.

The project addresses the urgent need to reduce food and plant waste in urban and peri-urban communities by introducing effective, environmentally friendly composting solutions. The Smart EFWC machine accelerates the breakdown of organic waste into nutrient-rich compost in a clean and controlled manner, making it suitable for use in schools, community gardens, and local farms. By situating the project within the Ayer Hitam Community Centre, which serves as a hub for surrounding neighborhoods in Georgetown, the initiative ensures broad community access, hands-on participation, and visibility.

At the core of the project is a strong focus on research, education, and community impact. From an academic perspective, the EFWC machine supports UPSI students and researchers in studying decomposition processes, waste-to-resource systems, and soil restoration through compost. These activities contribute to environmental research, academic coursework, and student-led innovation in sustainable practices.

A major feature of the project is its commitment to teacher training and school engagement. In partnership with the Habitat Foundation, specialized workshops are conducted for teachers from local schools to deepen their understanding of sustainable waste management and how to incorporate composting into the school curriculum. Teachers receive both theoretical knowledge and practical guidance, enabling them to implement and maintain composting activities in their schools and act as sustainability champions. This train-the-trainer model ensures long-term impact by embedding environmental practices into daily school operations.

The project also includes interactive education programs for students, led by UPSI’s EduGreen Centre Student Committee. These sessions take place during scheduled school visits to the Ayer Hitam Community Centre and include live composting demonstrations, waste separation exercises, and environmental awareness activities. Students learn the science behind composting and the importance of responsible consumption, encouraging them to adopt eco-conscious habits both at school and at home. The educational component runs two to three times a year, ensuring regular community engagement and continual growth of environmental knowledge.

Beyond education, the project supports community-based income opportunities by turning compost into a marketable product. The compost generated from the Smart EFWC machine is collected, packaged, and either used locally for urban farming and gardening or sold by community members. This model supports green entrepreneurship by enabling local families and school eco-clubs to participate in environmentally friendly micro-enterprises.

Environmentally, the project advances key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). By diverting food waste from landfills and transforming it into a beneficial resource, the project helps reduce methane emissions, enrich urban soils, and foster a culture of sustainability.

In summary, Strengthening Environmental Conservation is a holistic initiative that blends smart technology, hands-on education, and community participation to build a greener future in the Georgetown area. Through strong partnerships with the Habitat Foundation, Ayer Hitam Community Centre, and UPSI EduGreen Centre, the project creates meaningful environmental impact while empowering individuals and institutions to lead the way in sustainability.