Thesis Update

Thesis Update – Spring 2013

By: Jonathan Smith

This blog post will consist of a research proposal for a paper I am writing in my Geography – Sustainable Development class. This paper will be the foundation for the writing on my thesis paper a well. Following the research proposal is a preliminary outline of the paper to come.                                                                                                    

Research Question Proposal:

How can the east coast of the United States develop its coastal regions to manage rising sea levels in the coming future?

·        I am currently working on a thesis project in architecture that deals very closely with the question proposed above. I have been researching the relations between architecture and water for quite some time, and after reading the articles from the previous assignment, I wanted to focus on the Eastern United States.

Methods and Research:

This question will be answered by researching a variety of techniques used for sustainable development in coastal regions across the world. This research will include case studies of both successful and unsuccessful proposals to flooding problems. These solutions will then be narrowed down to what is most suitable for the focus area. Other data such as GIS maps, climactic information, and professional journals will be used in order to help make this selection. The answer outlined in the paper will most likely be a model of how the Eastern United States can begin to develop sooner rather than a model for the future.

Preliminary Outline:

I.                    Assessing the Issue

A.      Global Warming and the Causes

1.Global Warming Brief / Misconceptions

2.Global Warming Prevention / Responses

B.      Problem Areas of Eastern United States

1.New York Area

2.Norfolk, Virginia

3.North Carolina Coast

C.      Future Damage Potential

1.50 Year Scenario

2.100 Year Scenario

3.Long Term Future Scenario

II.                  Current Development of East Coast

A.      Prior Solutions / Preparation

1.Ignoring the Issue

2.Area Abandonment

3.Temporary Fixes

B.      Learning By Disaster

1.Hurricane Sandy

2.Hurricane Irene

3.Hurricane Isabel

III.                Case Studies / Method Analysis

A.      Netherlands / Dutch

1.A History of Water

2.Preemptive Action

3.Long Term Development Goals

B.      Great Britain

C.      Miscellaneous Projects

1.Iba Dock – Germany

2.BIG Architects (DK)

3.(MORE TO BE ADDED)

D.     Learning From Notable “Failures”

IV.                Analyzing a Solution for the Area

A.      Coastal Culture of East Coast

B.      Community Outlook / Response

1.Disbelievers and Skeptics

2.Realists and Planners

3.A Communities Reaction to Disaster

C.      Design Solution Criteria

1.How should the design solution fit the Eastern United States?

2.How can different solutions impact the land and resources?

3.What are the social impacts of the possible solutions available?

V.                  An Architectural Solution

A.      Design Solution Explanation

1.Concept Statement

2.Site Analysis

3.Development Diagrams / Drawings

B.      Future Development Possibilities

C.      Implementing the Model Elsewhere

VI.                Conclusion

A.      Closing Thoughts

B.      Acknowledgements

Preliminary Sources:

Schuetze, Christopher. "How Cities Plan to Keep the Sea at Bay in an Age of Climate Change." New York Times. 05 NOV 2012: n. Web. 28 Jan. 2013. <http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/05/how-cities-plan-to-keep-the-sea-at-bay-in-an-age-of-climate-change/>.

Stive, Marcel, Louise Fresco, Kabat Pavel, Parmet Bart, and Veerman Cees. "How the Dutch plan to stay dry over the next Century." ICE-Civil Engineering. 164. (2011): 114-212. Web. 28 Jan. 2013.

Schuetze, Christopher. "How Cities Plan to Keep the Sea at Bay in an Age of Climate Change." New York Times. 05 NOV 2012: n. Web. 28 Jan. 2013. <http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/05/how-cities-plan-to-keep-the-sea-at-bay-in-an-age-of-climate-change/>.

Stive, Marcel, Louise Fresco, Kabat Pavel, Parmet Bart, and Veerman Cees. "How the Dutch plan to stay dry over the next Century." ICE-Civil Engineering. 164. (2011): 114-212. Web. 28 Jan. 2013.

Janin, H., & Mandia, S. A. (2012). Rising sea levels: An introduction to cause and impact. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers.

Brody, S. D., Highfield, W. E., & Kang, J. E. (2011). Rising waters: The causes and consequences of flooding in the united states. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

Wilson, E., & Piper, J. (2010). Spatial planning and climate change. New York, New York: Routledge.

Pilkey, O. H., & Young, R. (2009). The rising sea. Washington, D.C.: Island Press.

Ames, D. V., Culver, S. J., & Mallinson, D. J. (2011). The battle for north carolina's coast. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: The University of North Carolina Press