Puerto Rico Re_Start started in the wake of the 2017 devastating storms Irma and Maria, when the UF Office of Research and the Center for Hydro-generated Urbanism at the College of Design, Construction and Planning (CHU-DCP) opened the opportunity for providing support for the Island academics and joint research activities with our University. They conducted an initial joint workshop in the UF Campus, and then PRRS 1 (2018) and PRRS 2(2019) in the Island.
Finally, after performing the Puerto Rico Restart 3 (PRRS3) suddenly completely online in March 2020, and having postponed PRRS 4 twice along 2021, they were able to reengage this Spring 2022 our presential programs in the Island. The PRRS 4 format has been adjusted to the difficult conditions of our Island partners, the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico and the University of Puerto Rico, with whom we maintain active Cooperative Agreements.
The format took place as a School of Architecture DCP, UF 4th year Senior Architectural Design 8 course under the instruction of Assoc. Professor Nancy Clark, and will be concluded at the end of the Spring term. The course is entitled:
Puerto Rico Project: the East Region 2045, Layers of Resiliency
In their three previous engagements, they had studied and made integrated proposals involving Municipalities, FEMA and state agencies for the North Central, Western and Southern Regions, and the results are published in book format in our website www.puertoricorestart.org
This year the Studio is addressing the Eastern region of the main island as well as the Island of Vieques. Assoc. Prof. Nancy Clark guided the travel of 16 students with CHU Research Associate Maria Barrios to the previously discussed project sites in the areas, between March 1-6, 2022. The group visited with local professionals, academics and administrators and experienced the urban, rural, social ,natural and coastal conditions, as well as discussed the possibilities of integrated and interdisciplinary resilient proposals. The students surveyed their Project sites and areas. Their individually developed proposals will be discussed in the school ‘s open Final Reviews on April 12 (9.00to 5.00). They will then be uploaded to our PRRS Projects website.
Visits and Itineraries performed:
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The group visited the Municipalities of San Juan, Patillas, Arroyo, Yabucoa, Luquillo, Humacao and Vieques. The Cities experienced include also Old San Juan, Isabel Segunda, and Esperanza besides the Municipalities head towns, and the dismissed naval base of Roosevelt Roads. |
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The nature interaction sites visited include Las Casas de la Selva (Sustainable Forestry), the Bioluminiscent Bay (Mosquito Bay), and El Yunque National Park and its Arborito Trail. |
Issues, Opportunities and discussion subjects reported
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Sustainable forestry strategies and lumber prospects |
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Protection of natural assets as Biloluminiscent bays and Tropical Forests |
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Fishermen communities’ resiliency issues (docks, ramps, piers, process, storage, access) |
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Alternative income generation for fishing coastal towns |
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Sea warming and inland coral reef nurseries as active resilient strategy |
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Shortage of affordable housing in Vieques |
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Abundance of Agricultural lands unoccupied and undeveloped with lack of projects |
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Interest in proposals combining agricultural and housing programs in West and South Vieques. |
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Funding is made available for health infrastructure programs |
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Abundance in various localities of abandoned properties, damaged by the storms. |
For additional information please visit their website.
