Discipline: Convergence Science
Subcategory: Climate Change
Session: 3
Room: Exhibit Hall
Carolina Pérez Méndez - University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras
Co-Author(s): Supervised under: Humberto Cavallin, University of California, BerkeleyCarla López del Puerto, Saint Louis University, MO“White Area, An Unsolved Controversy” (RISE UP research)Supervised under Humberto Cavallin and Carla Lopez del Puerto Co-authors: Idelys Berrocales, University of Puerto Rico, MayagüezLyann Rodriguez,University of Puerto Rico, MayagüezLynnis Guess, University of Puerto Rico, MayagüezAnthony Batista, University of Puerto Rico, Ponce“Adaptive Design Across Scales: Puerto Rico” (MIT research)Supervised under:Miho Mazereeuw, Harvard University Graduate School of Design, MALarisa Ovalles, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA
Due to a severe tropical atmospheric climate on the rise, Puerto Rico suffers from environmental hazards and a rapid-paced scarcity of potable water and other fundamental resources. Among these hazards, flooding is the most life-threatening. On the island’s west side, Mayagüez is subject to some of the most extreme weather conditions, including an extensive history of flooding, hurricanes, and tsunami threats. Neighboring municipalities depend on Mayagüez’s critical infrastructure for survival, which is exposed to detrimental flooding conditions. This work presents two case studies conducted to study risk at different scales in an interdisciplinary manner and emphasize the impact on marginalized communities and vital infrastructure. First, presents a study developed through the Resilient Infrastructure and Sustainability Education – Undergraduate Program at the University of Puerto Rico, which addresses primary causes and viable solutions for a recurring flood situation at the main parking lot at UPR Mayagüez Campus. The second study, developed under the mentoring of the Urban Risk Lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, aims to create a risk profile that communicates flood risk to aid strategic planning of city design. Through these studies, we advance the assessment that severe floods occur on the north and south coast, near rivers and streams, and in plain areas with concentrated urban development. The suggested main reasons for occurrence span from an outdated drainage system to the particularities of its topography and non-functional urban planning. These conclusions support stakeholders in identifying susceptible areas to hazards and preparing action plans for future sustainable and resilient development.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): Supervised under Humberto Cavallin and Carla López del Puerto “White Area, An Unsolved Controversy” Supervised under Humberto Cavallin and Carla Lopez del Puerto Co-authors: Idelys Berrocales, Lyann Rodriguez, Anthony Batista, and Lynnis Guess “Adaptive Design Across Scales: Puerto Rico”Supervised under Miho Mazereeuw and Larisa Ovalles
Faculty Advisor: Humberto E. Cavallin Calanche, humberto.cavallin1@upr.edu
Role: This research is based on two separate case studies: “White Area, An Unsolved Controversy” overseen by RISE UP and “Adaptive Design Across Scales: Puerto Rico” under MIT’s Urban Risk. I participated in both research experiences working on flood problems in Mayagüez at different scales. Now, I am conducting a comparative study based on the data and conclusions gathered from both studies to see how they relate and if it is possible to generate new flooding solutions by combining them. In the RISE UP case study, I worked on identifying probable causes and provided viable solutions for a recurring flood situation from an architecture student’s perspective. At MIT, I was able to broaden the scope of my initial research by creating a risk profile detailing flood risk in Mayagüez. The risk profile consisted of a series of risk maps explaining flood hazard effects on marginalized communities and critical infrastructure.