Building Sustainable Water Treatment Systems

In 2015, the nations of the world adopted a set of global goals to eradicate poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. In Mexico, although substantial developments have been made in water and wastewater treatment, significant progress is still needed in providing access to all communities, as well as ensuring the resilient operations of these systems. This class will focus on the design of a holistic system for the collection, treatment and use of rainwater, and the collection, treatment and reuse of municipal wastewater in a community in Mexico that is historically under-resourced. The system will be designed to meet the needs of the population served, comply with current regulations and legislation, and reflect the principles of sustainability, Net Zero Water, Water Neutral, and conjunctive use.

Thermodynamics in the Land of Fire and Ice

Iceland is a unique setting to learn about renewable power and thermodynamic science, as it sits upon an area where the tectonic plates are dividing and the land is being shaped by volcanic and glacial activity. We will stay on the outskirts of Reykjavik and take field trips to power plants and manufacturing facilities. We will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Þingvellir, where deep fissures between the North American and European Plates are visible. As we explore Iceland, we will see exotic birds, waterfalls and geothermal fields. Near the Arctic Circle, we will have a chance to experience the midnight sun (weather permitting). We also plan to visit the glaciers at Vatnajökull National Park, the ice lagoon of Jökulsárlón and other amazing sites. Come experience an unforgettable summer on top of the world.

Sustainable Urban Systems

The Netherlands is known for wooden shoes, windmills and Stroopwaffles. However, Dutch infrastructure and sustainability are globally famous. This course examines Dutch water and transportation systems to learn about sustainable systems in practice. The Dutch transportation system encourages cycling and transit usage by residents of all ages and cycling levels of comfort and provides good examples of protected bicycle infrastructure, traffic calming, transit network design, and transit and bicycle integration. Dutch water management is also world-famous, with among the most rigorous approaches to flood protection and the safeguarding of water resources, in addition to design and operation for environmental benefits. These two sustainable civil infrastructure design examples provide excellent case studies in sustainable development and lessons for California, the U.S. and the world more generally.