Session: RC11

Title: ResilientSEE: Design Professionals for Disaster Relief

Abstract:

In the summer of 2017, Puerto Rico and other Caribbean Islands were devastated by a series of hurricanes, most notably by Hurricane Maria. Boston has a significant amount of design professionals practicing locally who are from the Caribbean or connected to the region. A group was formed; Resilient SEE is a global alliance committed to designing and rebuilding a resilient, sustainable Puerto Rico. Together, we’re creating opportunities for Puerto Rico to recover and thrive through thoughtful design and strategic planning. We’re donating our time and resources to raise global awareness about resilience, and to develop pilot programs aimed at protecting the island from future extreme weather events. There are concurrent initiatives underway addressing energy issues and an initiative to build roofs in conjunction with a program by MIT students is in the works. This session will focus on the opportunities and challenges of promoting and executing a disaster relief effort by local professionals. This effort could be a future blueprint replicable for other design professionals and experts wanting to help regions affected by catastrophic events and in need of resilient strategies for rebuilding.

Speakers:

Natasha Espada, STUDIO ENÉE

Yanel de Angel, Perkins+Will

Danniely Staback Rodriguez, Massachusetts Institute of Technology