photo of a stream in Belize with yellow paddle boats parked along the side.

Summer Abroad Belize

Paradise Found—Sustainable Planning and Design

South Water Caye and Blue Creek, Belize

  • Dates – TBD
  • Max Enrollment – 24
  • Taught In – English
  • Prerequisites – Yes
  • Academic Area – Landscape Architecture, Sustainable Planning and Design

Program Overview

The program focuses on developing sustainable planning/design strategies for visitor-serving development in Belize; on a pristine barrier reef and, secondarily, an inland rain forest. We will engage in a “real world” hands on studio, with student teams researching, weighing options and designing the best alternative. Working together with other students, you will explore strategies for renewable energy (wind, solar, bio-fuel); capturing, treating and storing water and wastewater (rain water capture, wetland systems); designing sustainable buildings/landscapes; working with indigenous culture/economics to maintain financial integrity and address environmental justice; food production; and resort operations like transportation, staff housing and health; addressing resiliency; and other aspects of a visitor-serving operation in a unique natural/human ecosystem.

Program Contacts

Program Highlights

  • Sustainability planning and design solutions for a pristine marine preserve on the barrier reef, plus an inland rain forest.
  • Understand indigenous history and culture, and local economics/structures and integrate community benefits into projects.
  • Real-world, hands-on studio environment, working with the professor in creative student teams.
  • Explore all aspects of project planning, design and long-term management for sustainability.
  • Experience and learn marine/coral reef, island ecosystem, and rain forest ecological issues and conservation strategies, plus embracing/engaging local and indigenous cultures.

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Tags

Summer Abroad Study Abroad Belize Landscape Architecture