Greater City Providence

The Better World Challenge: Building A Better Coastline by Design

Better World Challenge LogoIn a world of intangibles- it’s easy to get carried away with design for the sake of design. The Better World Challenge breaks free from this bubble with a design competition addressing high-impact social issues. Open to all students, the challenge takes the Better World by Design conference beyond the weekend, engaging real issues, generating creative solutions and showcasing students’ innovative ideas.

THE CHALLENGE: As sea levels rise and climates change, coastal regions must now confront the challenge of preserving their culture and community in the face of increasing threats from coastal erosion, flooding and other natural disasters. The challenge: how do you build a better coastline?

CASE STUDY: A small community in southern Rhode Island, Matunuck boasts the best of coastal life: beauty, seafood and beaches. However, the town simultaneously faces rapid coastal erosion and the potential for catastrophic weather events. A Better World By Design is working with non-profit Save The Bay to encourage residents of Matunuck to re-imagine their community and plan for long-term sustainable solutions that go beyond traditional protective structures. The challenge is open to creativity and ingenuity-though Matunuck serves as a case study, it is not restricted geographically.

DETAILS: Submissions can be in the form of text, images (up to five 11×17 panels) and/or video and can be sent to: abetterworldbydesign@gmail.com. Group work is encouraged, but must be submitted by a single full-time student. Deadline: Sept. 1, 2011. Details can be found here: abetterworldbydesign.com

THE PRIZE: The winner will receive $1000 to pursue their solution and have the opportunity to work with Save the Bay to implement their project. Finalists will present their designs at the A Better World by Design ’11 conference (the weekend of Sept 30 – Oct. 2) and receive complimentary admission.

Greater City Providence

Promoting the smart urban growth of the Greater Providence region.

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