06 Clean Water and Sanitation – �鶹��Ƶ

SERES: Sustainability and Ecology for the Restoration of Social Ecosystems

Ada Inman — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:58:55 +0000

The municipality of La Estrella, Antioquia faces increasing pressure along its urban–rural edge, where urban expansion has created tensions with the main ecological structure, affecting food security and the hydrological balance. In particular, peri-urban areas face risks associated with landslides and flooding, which are intensified by urbanization processes and the transformation of strategic agroecosystems.

SERES is a transdisciplinary initiative that integrates nature-based solutions (NbS) to strengthen the socio-ecological resilience of the territory. The project, developed by Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability in collaboration with the local administration of La Estrella, works with three educational institutions—Colegio Los Robles, Colegio Canadiense, and Colegio Waldorf Isolda—as platforms for community mediation and knowledge exchange.

The project promotes ecological restoration and food security through small-scale actions such as urban gardens, composting, collective planting days in prioritized areas, and rainwater harvesting systems. To date, the first rainwater harvesting prototype has been built and delivered at Colegio Waldorf Isolda Echavarría. Additional prototypes are currently being developed for implementation in other institutions and for the broader community within facilities of the Municipality of La Estrella. In parallel, a guidebook is being developed to systematize the experience and facilitate its replicability, along with the design of a traveling exhibition that will document the process and outcomes of the implemented actions.

As part of the educational component, the course “Ecological and Social Management: Integrated Approaches for the Territory” was developed. The course included approximately 24 hours of sessions distributed over several weeks, strengthening capacities in climate adaptation, collaborative governance, and the restoration of social ecosystems. It was designed for undergraduate students from the Faculty of Architecture and other academic programs, as well as university departments dedicated to science communication and social appropriation of knowledge at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. The course also included participation from officials from municipalities affiliated with the ICLEI municipal network and various stakeholders from the Municipality of La Estrella.

Ultimately, SERES seeks to strengthen collaboration between academia, local government, and communities to promote sustainable territorial practices. By integrating environmental education, community participation, and nature-based solutions, the project aims to generate long-term socio-ecological resilience in peri-urban landscapes. Through knowledge exchange, practical interventions, and the development of replicable tools such as prototypes, educational materials, and public exhibitions, SERES aspires to inspire similar initiatives in other territories facing comparable environmental and social challenges.

Restauración de servicios ecosistémicos en la Subcuenca Los Laureles, Tijuana, México

Ada Inman — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:04:07 +0000

The Tijuana River watershed originates in Mexico and flows into the Tijuana River Estuary, a protected coastal wetland in California where freshwater and saltwater converge, supporting unique biodiversity. This ecosystem is threatened by vegetation loss, pollution, sedimentation, and high levels of fecal bacteria at the river mouth, affecting both biodiversity and resilience. Around 250 families living in formal and informal settlements are directly impacted by this environmental degradation. Given its proximity and strong community ties, Universidad Iberoamericana Tijuana plays a key role in addressing this issue. Water pollution in the basin is not only a local concern but a national and international one, as contaminated flows into the United States create a binational conflict. The proposed project focuses on four priority intervention areas to enhance climate resilience: water quality monitoring and wastewater mitigation through phytoremediation and health impact studies; soil erosion control through cleanup and revegetation of degraded green areas; community communication strategies to promote stewardship of green spaces; and evaluation of legal pathways to ensure the protection of human rights.

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).

Ecosystem-based adaptation of the Tijuana River basin, focusing on recycling construction waste and glass

Ada Inman — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 18:26:14 +0000

Esta propuesta responde a la necesidad de disminuir el impacto ambiental de la industria de la construcción. El proyecto pretende promover una gestión adecuada de los residuos de actividades de la industria de la construcción, mediante el diseño y aplicación de metodologías y estrategias con criterios AbE, que mitiguen la vulnerabilidad de la comunidad de Valle de las Palmas, y promuevan la recuperación de un tramo del arroyo las Palmas, combinando las habilidades técnicas, materiales y de gestión de los miembros involucrados para alcanzar cuatro objetivos:
1.
Elaborar un diagnóstico del contexto actual de la gestión integral de los RCD y vidrio, y de las condiciones del arroyo Las Palmas, para identificar las zonas más vulnerables de la comunidad; mediante la participación de profesores y estudiantes (FCITEC), de la Cámara Mexicana de la Industria de la Construcción (CMIC), delegación Tijuana, FCITEC y Proyecto Fronterizo de Educación Ambiental, A.C (PFEA) y comunidad de estudiantes de secundaria y bachillerato de Valle de las Palmas (COM).
2.
Diseñar metodologías y estrategias AbE para la adaptación, que promuevan la conservación de recursos naturales y el reciclaje de RCD y vidrio, con el fin de mitigar la vulnerabilidad de la comunidad ante el cambio climático. Participación de FCITEC, CMIC, PFEA y COM.
3.
Evaluar el uso y aplicación de materiales elaborados con RCD y vidrio, para fomentar prácticas sostenibles de construcción, con el objetivo de mitigar la vulnerabilidad de la comunidad debido a la contaminación del suelo, acuíferos y aire, así como, el riesgo de inundación inherentes a la extracción de recursos naturales. Participación de FCITEC, CMIC, PFEA y COM.
4.
Gestionar la restauración de un tramo de lecho del arroyo las Palmas que se encuentre en etapa de abandono de las actividades extractivas y se identifique como vulnerable a erosión durante lluvias extraordinarias.
Participación múltiple de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería y Tecnología (FCITEC-UABC), Proyecto Fronterizo de Educación Ambiental (PFEA), Cámara Mexicana de la Industria de la Construcción (CMIC) y el Instituto de Planeación del Desarrollo Municipal de Tecate (INPLADEM-Presidencia Municipal de Tecate, Baja California, México).
El proyecto se lleva a cabo en el NO de Baja California, en la cuenca del río Tijuana, donde se ubican las ciudades de Tecate y Tijuana, en las que reside el 54% de la población del estado (de un total de 3,769,020 habitantes. La comunidad que participa en el proyecto es principalmente la población escolar (secundaria y preparatoria) y sus padres de familia que residen en el poblado Valle de las Palmas, que tenía 1,685 habitantes en 2020, según el censo de población y vivienda del INEGI.

LIRLAP: Linking disaster risk governance and land-use planning: the case of informal settlements in hazard prone areas in the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam

Ada Inman — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 18:23:51 +0000

LIRLAP takes a dynamic perspective and assesses the impacts of future urban growth and densification scenarios in Metro Manila on, first, the future growth of informal settlements by means of urban growth models considering the urban morphology and socio-economic factor and, second, on the future availability of land suitable for receiving resettlement (WP 1).

Moreover, the R&D phase analysis lessons learnt from other countries and deeply by fieldworks on on-site upgrading of informal settlements and on retreat options, enhanced by knowledge transfer to and from Thailand and Vietnam.

This knowledge leads to two pilot studies for resilient upgrading and resilient retreat designs on the ground (WP 2 and WP 3) and to guidelines for resilient upgrading and resilient retreat. This package will serve for mainstreaming upgrading and retreat in urban risk management (WP 4), assessing local policies in South East Asia and disseminated to relevant stakeholders. The same applies to tailor-made training courses and a Joint PhD program with UP SURP where knowledge and solutions will be generated and transferred and disseminated (WP 5).

A Study of Adaptive Reuse on Commercial Building Towards Heritage City on Case Study of Kyoto City, Japan

Ada Inman — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:49:29 +0000

Adaptive reuse is a conceptual framework rooted in the intention to preserve existing buildings and urban spaces while adapting them to contemporary needs. It reflects a dual recognition of cultural-historical value and resource efficiency looking to keep the embedded narratives of a place while minimizing waste associated with demolition and reconstruction. This approach encompasses both tangible and intangible aspects, ranging from public space to individual architectural units. Kyoto is one of the significant historic and cultural city in the world. A study of Adaptive Reuse on Machiya, it is a way to understand and elevate heritage city by learning on selective case. This study focuses on urban area and commercial row house in Kyoto old city, this research initiative aimed at consolidating knowledge related to contemporary architectural practices. Research aim is to explain Heritage city and contemporary architecture with a concept of Adaptive reuse in 21st century. Research units are selective 4 streets and 9 building case studies to on-site survey and collect data. Research Method is to analyze building form, structural systems, and contemporary activities with mapping, 3D digital model, and architectural drawing (plan and sections). Examples of adaptive reuse include the transformation of old Machiya into café, coffee shop, and also restaurants. This practice has evolved with shifting perspectives on architecture and urban conservation sustainably. Adaptive reuse in 21st century is conceptually a study on architecture in urban & building scale, which towards sustainable development and architectural heritage. Outcome is to understand and be completed as future purpose according to new practices in heritage city.

The National City Earthquake Safety & Outreach Initiative

Ada Inman — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:41:12 +0000

This report contains a series of policy proposals developed by San Diego State University (SDSU) students, in collaboration with National City officials and the SDSU Sage Project, to increase the use of existing earthquake preparedness resources among National City residents. The primary focus of student research was the California Earthquake Brace + Bolt program and encouraging homeowners to engage in seismic retrofitting. Additionally, students developed policy recommendations aimed at increasing general earthquake safety, awareness, and education. Being located in Southern California, earthquake preparedness
is a topic the SDSU community is very familiar with and many students were able to use this as an opportunity to draw upon prior knowledge in their research.
Students worked to create policy suggestions specific to National City, based on methods proven effective in similar municipalities, by researching how the area’s demographics may impact the use of community resources. National City is a heavily Hispanic city, with a large population that does not speak English as a first language. As such, many of the policies in this report focus on bridging that gap in communication and establishing trust between community members and those with access to earthquake preparedness resources. Another major trend among policies developed by students was a focus on finding creative ways to lower the economic burden on residents interested in seismic retrofitting. This led to the creation of several innovative proposals focused on helping residents pay for seismic retrofitting, primarily where other government programs would not suffice. These policies may be more difficult to implement than direct outreach, but they represent an alternate approach the city could take to encourage seismic retrofitting.
The policies presented in this report were chosen for their adaptability as part of a larger earthquake awareness initiative, as well as their ability to function independently. As stressed by National City officials, the city budget does not have any extra funding for extensive earthquake preparedness programs. The purpose behind choosing policies which can operate independently is to work around these constraints and offer solutions that may be more budget-friendly. These policies are categorized based upon the type of actor affected: resident, government group, or external organization.

Future Water Scenarios for La Paz County

Ada Inman — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 20:13:13 +0000

This project examines future water scenarios for La Paz County, examining how the growth of agriculture, tourism, and other industries could impact local water resources and community well-being. Through scenario mapping, the project will highlight both the challenges and opportunities associated with balancing economic development and sustainable water use. Students from the Master of Sustainability [...]

Incorporating Young Perspectives into Planning Tempe’s Future

Ada Inman — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 19:49:47 +0000

The City of Tempe is a vibrant and forward-thinking community at the heart of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Home to more than 190,000 residents and the Arizona State University Tempe Campus, the City is committed to promoting long-term livability, economic vitality, and equitable access to opportunities for all generations. In response to shifting demographics and the evolving needs of its younger population, Tempe is proactively working to engage youth in shaping the city’s future. As part of this effort, the City is partnering with students from The Design School to explore strategies for retaining and empowering young residents in civic life. Using an interdisciplinary approach, students will examine key social, economic, and sustainability factors that influence youth engagement and long-term community connection. Through collaboration with Tempe leaders, residents, and youth, students will develop future scenarios to inform city planning and support decision-making that anticipates the needs of upcoming generations.