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Mind the Gap: Bridging a Community Bisected by an Interstate
Get PDFAs a result of discrimination in urban design, many communities of color have been forced to pick up the pieces of their neighborhood after they have been paved through by major interstate developments. Among these communities is the historical neighborhood of Bronzeville, Milwaukee, which was destroyed in the 1950s by discriminative urban planning and the development of Interstate 43. In recent years, there has been an uptake in restoration to these communities. Urban design factors such as land caps or land bridges over freeways have been proven successful in reconnecting the communities that have been bisected by interstates.
In this context, this thesis focuses on implementing a freeway cap park to address issues of community fragmentation, pedestrian and bicycle safe circulation, missing amenities, shortage of green spaces for passive and active use, and new and restored housing developments
Amalgamation: Exploring the Context of Health and Nature of Liberia
Get PDFAs a developing country, Liberia still faces significant gaps in essential services. About a year and a half ago, my mother explained, a loved one of hers passed due to health complications and couldn't receive help because there wasn't a clinic nearby. This revelation stirred a mix of emotions within me. It ultimately led me to formulate my thesis, which revolves around establishing a regional clinic or hospital.
This study focuses on how to better engage with the health, nature, and stories of Liberia people within the context of clinics. The design process incorporates the history of vegetation (particularly trees), representing the intersection of traditional medicine and Western medicine and the perspectives of the Americo-Liberian and Indigenous Liberian communities. The study additionally aims to showcase the connections between the two groups and demonstrate how they are interconnected while simultaneously discussing the factors that have contributed to their current lack of medical facilities
Healing Through Architecture: A Human-Centered Design Focused on Biophilia and the Connection to Nature
Get PDFAt different points in our lives, we may find ourselves in a healthcare setting?supporting a loved one, undergoing treatment, or working within the healthcare profession. A thoughtfully designed space positively influences mental, emotional, and physical health, creating a conducive atmosphere for recovery. This positive impact extends to healthcare professionals, reducing burnout while enhancing staff satisfaction and productivity. By embracing a holistic approach, healing environments acknowledge the interconnectedness of physical and psychological well-being. The significance of establishing healing environments lies in their potential to positively shape the health and experiences of individuals, healthcare professionals, and communities alike.
Aligned with these principles, this thesis undertakes the design of an outpatient mental health clinic in Fargo, North Dakota. The clinic adopts a patient and staff-centered design approach, fostering an environment that prioritizes healing and support. Through the integration of biophilic design principles, nature is invited into the healing journey, enhancing the therapeutic atmosphere and promoting a sense of overall well-being
How Can Declining Rural Communities in North Dakota Be Saved? A Critical Investigation
Get PDFRural North Dakota has become somewhat of an abandoned land. There are dozens of small communities, with major service gaps and unsustainable populations. With the death of each rural town, the state loses pieces of its history, as unique cultures and buildings decay alongside the highways.
The population decline in rural communities across the country can be attributed to a variety of factors, with perhaps the most imposing issue being a lack of opportunity. Small towns struggle to maintain vitality with limited educational, professional, and recreational opportunities. While small-town life offers many benefits, many residents leave for urban amenities. The primary scope of this project will focus on the reintroduction of these opportunities into a rural town as a strategy to retain and attract residents.
Core subjects addressed include downtown development, community and cultural amenities, childcare services and facilities, single and multi-family housing, and educational opportunities and facilities
The Refugee Camp Evolved: Hyper-Modern Urbanism vs. Vernacular Urbanism
Get PDFWith an ever-increasing number of displaced people, the world has seen a constant need for basic human necessities such as food, water, and shelter. Refugee camps are intended to be necessary, quick solutions to house displaced people. However, many camps can turn into human storage facilities and living conditions can feel like a prison. Tradition and culture are often overlooked when setting up refugee camps.
Over time, the refugee camp may evolve into a more permanent settlement. How can we guide the hyper-modern urban evolution of a refugee camp into a more sustainable, culturally sensitive refugee settlement? My thesis explores the line between modern and vernacular urbanism and proposes a solution that provides order, sustainability, and scalability while also taking a close look at the culture of South Sudanese refugees in the Agojo Refugee Settlement located in Northern Uganda.
This thesis explores a more vernacular and sustainable approach to urbanism as a refugee camp becomes a settlement
Bridging Urban Divides: The Impact and Implementation of Bridge Parks
Get PDFThis study examines the role bridge parks have in the enhancement of community connectivity across fragmented neighborhoods. By conducting a comparative analysis of bridge parks in various urban settings, identifying the key factors that contribute to their success and the challenges encountered during their development. Using case studies such as The Highline in New York and Klyde Warren Park in Dallas. Diving into the social and economic impacts of bridge parks, the findings state that they foster community bonds and enhance social unity while addressing obstacles such as financial sustainability, ongoing maintenance, and integration with the surrounding area. This study contributes valuable perspective to urban design, highlighting the role of inclusive planning and offering a possible solution to future projects aiming to bridge divided urban spaces
Cultural District: Nexus of Cultures: How Can Architecture Be Utilized to Reshape Narratives of Nationalism and Foster a Sense of Global Unity Within a Responsive Sustainable Cultural District in Aden, Yemen?
Get PDFThe world today is increasingly divided along nationalistic lines, with people often forgetting their shared humanity in favor of their national identities. It is disheartening to observe the rise of divisive nationalism, fostering an "us versus them" mentality. This categorization of individual based on nationality often leads to conflicts and undermines the shared humanity that should bind us together. The need to rekindle a sense of global unity becomes apparent, and architecture can serve as a powerful tool in reshaping these narratives, which can also serve as a potent tool for expressing and reinforcing nationalistic sentiments.
This research aims to explore the potential of architecture in redefining nationalism and fostering unity among people, by aiming to create spaces that celebrate cultural diversity, emphasize shared values, and foster a sense of collective identity. The focus is on designing a Culturally Responsive Sustainable Cultural District in Aden, Yemen. A region historically known as "Arabia Felix" or ?Happy Arabia?. The intent is to evoke the region's historical happiness and unity, using modern Islamic architecture as a vehicle for cultural expression and cohesion. The research will investigate why Aden is an ideal site for this project, the importance of this development for the people of Yemen, and how it can serve as a solution to the problem of divisive nationalism
?Omics? approaches to understand ecology and physiology of bees
Get PDFBees face several ecological and physiological challenges due to poor nutrition and abiotic stress. This dissertation explores various aspects related to these challenges, including the microbial ecology of honey bees and the alfalfa leafcutting bee, as well as the cold physiology of the alfalfa leafcutting bee. The first study delves into the dynamics of gut microbiota in overwintering adult worker honey bees, Apis mellifera. Through 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, variations in the microbial composition among the bee strains, due to types of storage conditions, and the month of storage were examined. Overall, in this study a stable gut microbiota was observed in the bees both in the indoor and outdoor storage conditions during the winter months with slight differences in the abundance of bacterial species between bee strains. This study highlights the resilience of honey bee gut microbiota under cold stress conditions. The second study was focused on assessing the gut microbial ecology in the solitary bee, Megachile rotundata. The study investigated the significance of gut microbiota in these bees and in particular the effect of the Apilactobacillus clade on the larval and prepupal development, their weight, and survival. Results indicate that reliance on non-host specific environmental bacteria may not significantly impact the fitness of M. rotundata. The study highlights the role of environmentally collected bacteria in shaping bee nutrition and health. The third study explored the regulation of diapause initiation in the M. rotundata. By analyzing the gene expression using RNA-seq during diapause initiation, the research identified differentially expressed genes associated with oxidative stress, cell signaling, and other diapause-related pathways. The study provides insights into the molecular differences between diapausing and non diapausing individuals, contributing to a broader understanding of the cold physiology of M. rotundata. Together, these multi ?omics? studies contribute invaluable knowledge to the fields of bee biology, ecology and physiology, offering insights into the intricate relationships between bees, their microbiota, and the environmental factors influencing their life cycle
Earthquake-induced inelastic displacement ratio in reinforced concrete box girder bridges in California
Get PDFIn conventionally designed bridges, the inelastic displacement is estimated using an amplification factor (R_d) suggested by AASHTO which was developed based on Single-Degree-of-Freedom system. This study models the nonlinear behavior in different components of bridge and presents an equation of inelastic displacement ratio, C_?, that can better predict the inelastic displacement. While AASHTO R_d closely matches C_? corresponding to average response of different earthquakes, it does not give a reliable estimation for a wide range of earthquakes. Two equations are developed based on mean + standard deviation (SD) and mean + 3?SD to incorporate the variability in C_? due to dynamic nature of bridge and wide range of earthquake. Additionally, it examines the influence of connection of columns to the ground, column height, deck width, number of spans, and damping ratio on C_?. Contrary to AASHTO suggestion, C_? was found to be increasing with increase in damping ratio
Curriculum design and assessment: the development of a nonmajor biology course-based undergraduate research experiences and its effects on students and instructors
Get PDFThe goals of nonmajor science education are to improve scientific literacy and produce pro-science attitudes. Together, these goals are expected to improve an individual?s ability to make evidence-based decisions based on newer understandings of the natural world as well as developing technologies. In a post-COVID-19 world, public understanding of science was brought to the forefront for public health but were also challenged by a deluge of misinformation to obfuscate these goals. General education science courses represent the last formal experience for our populace. Following a learning-science-by-doing-science approach, this dissertation describes the development, implementation, and assessment of a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) for nonmajor science students. The first objective of this dissertation was to review the outcomes and design elements of published CUREs. Through a systematic review of Biology-based CURE literature, several content, skill, and affective-based outcomes are identified resulting from eight proposed design elements. The second objective was to outline and highlight the decision-making process when designing a CURE for nonmajors. Here, historical perspectives on course design, both general and science-specific, are described and applied along with findings from the first objective to design a CURE for nonmajor biology students. The third objective was to survey graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) that instructed this nonmajor CURE to identify GTA benefits and challenges. Findings indicate that GTAs found CUREs to be beneficial to their current and future works and strongly believed this type of approach to nonmajor education is preferable to expository lab design. The final objective was to assess student scientific literacy and science attitudes after engaging with a CURE. Based on two surveys using a pre/post design, there were no significant differences between different laboratory course designs for neither literacy nor attitudes and only found some support between the association of scientific literacy and science attitudes. This dissertation demonstrates the complexity of cradle-to-grave course design, the difficulty in measuring large constructs such as scientific literacy and science attitudes, and implications for future evidence-based course design