Environmental Sustainability
Muscatine Regional Water Detention Plan
As part of the Senior Design Capstone Course in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the students completed a regional hydrologic and hydraulic analysis of the watershed north of the City of Muscatine.
Dubuque County Sustainability Indicators
In 2011, Dubuque Regional Smart Planning Consortium was formed and tasked with developing a regional sustainability plan. Building on the 2011-12's Indicator and Indicator Measures for 11 Sustainability Principles for the City of Dubuque, students created measurements for the sustainability goals outlined in the Smart Plan on a regional scale.
Indicator and Indicator Measurement for 11 Sustainability Principles
Students studied over 40 indicator systems and 1200 potential indicators, and narrowed it down to 60 indicators specifically for the City of Dubuque and its 11 principles through discussion with city staff, public engagement, and analysis of comparable cities. The students developed a score card for each indicator to be used by officials.
Charles City Waterfront and Credit Trading
Graduate students in the School of Urban and Regional Planning developed a market analysis for a kayak park on Cedar River and made recommendations for linking the new park to downtown. Students also drafted recommendations to enhance the quality of water in Cedar River through water quality credits trading.
First Step Oskaloosa Solid Waste
Due to Oskaloosa's increase in population, city officials were interested in recommendations that supported growth in a sustainable way. Students evaluated the economic and environmental impacts of the City's waste hauling system and made recommendations for developing a more environmentally friendly and economically sound program.
Wellman Sustainability Plan
Urban and Regional Planning students created The Wellman Sustainability Plan which centers on sustainability-oriented recommendations for the City of Wellman.
Recommendations were drafted based on surveys, public meetings, and discussions with local officials. The Plan was a ten-year road map that categorizes recommendations into seven topics: economic development, water, parks and recreations, transportation, energy efficiency, housing, and food.
Stormwater Management with Permeable Pavement and Bioretention Structures
Engineering students researched the extent of impermeable surfaces in the east-west portion of North Dodge Street Court and developed a stormwater management plan for the city of Iowa City.
Iowa City was interested in the increased application of permeable pavement and bioretention within the city. These systems fell under the umbrella of “green street” designs, which address growing concern for sustainable stormwater management by mimicking local hydrology prior to development.
STAR Sustainability Assessment
Students in the Department of Geographical and Sustainability Sciences assisted the City of Iowa City with their Leadership STAR Community Program application by gathering information about City policies, practices and actions in the areas assessed by STAR.
Water Reclamation for Terry Trueblood Recreation Area
Engineering students created a project aimed at reducing the water demand, energy consumption and costs for Iowa City's Wastewater Division. The students calculated the areas needing irrigation along with the volume of water needed. Pump sizes, electrical service, and a design plan estimating construction and operational costs were the deliverables.
Green Alleyways
Students in the School of Urban and Regional Planning gave four recommendations to the City of Iowa City and the Iowa City Downtown District about waste management in local alleyways in order to increase the use of the sustainability potential of these areas.
Enhancing Urban Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Habitat
Students researched bee diversity in Iowa City, compared it to bee diversity in prairie and agricultural settings, and related it to floral diversity in each setting. They used pan trapping and sweep netting methods to collect bees during their research. They offered recommendations to the City of Iowa City to help the area maintain and increase urban bee diversity.
Emerald Ash Borer: Monitoring and Management
Students conducted research on Iowa City’s ash trees to help prepare for the emerald ash borer (EAB) and develop a response plan. Students used various survey methodologies to assess current ash tree condition and coverage in Iowa City, including counting the trees, recording their GPS coordinates, and measuring their characteristics. Using this data, students created a map of ash tree coverage and identified priority sites in which they recommend that the city implement monitoring and management strategies.