Coastal and environmental engineering

Topic proposals

Green Infrastructure:

  • Green Roofs and Walls: Installing vegetation on rooftops and building facades to reduce urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and provide habitat for wildlife.
  • Urban Parks and Gardens: Creating green spaces within cities to promote recreation, biodiversity, and mental well-being among residents.
  • Tree Planting: Increasing urban tree canopy to provide shade, mitigate air pollution, and absorb stormwater runoff.

Natural Water Management:

  • Permeable Pavements: Using permeable materials for roads, sidewalks, and parking lots to allow rainwater infiltration, reducing runoff and alleviating flooding.
  • Rain Gardens and Bioswales: Constructing vegetated depressions or channels to capture and filter stormwater, improving water quality and reducing erosion.
  • Constructed Wetlands: Creating artificial wetland systems to treat wastewater, enhance biodiversity, and provide recreational opportunities.

Climate Resilience:

  • Urban Forests: Establishing and maintaining forests within urban areas to sequester carbon, regulate temperatures, and buffer against extreme weather events.
  • Green Infrastructure for Climate Adaptation: Implementing NBS to mitigate heat stress, manage flood risk, and enhance resilience to climate change impacts such as rising sea level and storm surges.

Biodiversity Conservation:

  • Pollinator Habitats: Designating areas within cities to support pollinator populations, such as bees and butterflies, through the cultivation of native plants.
  • Wildlife Corridors: Creating green corridors and connectivity networks to facilitate the movement of wildlife between fragmented urban habitats.

Community Engagement and Education:

  • Urban Agriculture: Promoting community gardens, rooftop farms, and urban agriculture initiatives to enhance food security, promote local food production, and foster community engagement.
  • Citizen Science Programs: Involving residents in monitoring and conservation efforts, such as bird watching or tree planting events, to raise awareness and encourage stewardship in urban ecosystems.

Health and Well-being:

  • Therapeutic Landscapes: Designing urban green spaces with elements such as walking trails, water features, and native vegetation to for increased physical activity, reduced stress, and improved mental health.
  • Nature Play Areas: Creating natural playgrounds and recreational spaces for children to connect with nature, foster creativity, and support cognitive development.
  • Energy efficiency, sustainable solutions and environment protection in Marine Engineering / Maritime Industry