Taubman College The Student-led project “Ocupação Anchieta Avança! Ocupação Anchieta Forward! Received First-Place Award of $35,000 in the 2017 Dow Distinguished Awards for Interdisciplinary Sustainability
This interdisciplinary project builds on the winter 2017 joint Urban Planning Capstone and Architecture studio taught by assistant professor Ana Pimentel Walker and associate professor Maria Arquero de Alarcon, and advances the implementation of critical components in local partnerships. After visiting the area in March 2017, the group developed a community-driven action plan entitled “Ocupação Anchieta Avança! Ocupação Anchieta Forward!” addressing the housing and environmental conflicts in this young informal settlement located in the Grajaú district, São Paulo, Brazil. In July 2017, the project was awarded $25,000 from the Ford Motor Company Fund. More information on the original funding can be found here.
The first place of the 2017 Dow Distinguished Award for Interdisciplinary Sustainability contributes an additional $35,000 to the development of a cluster of housing prototypes with decentralized sewage infrastructure and storm water management landscape components. The team will also advance communication efforts to disseminate resilient practices aimed to improve the quality of life for residents in young informal areas.
The student team represents four colleges within University of Michigan and includes: Michael Amidon, MUD/MArch; Ashish Bhandari, MArch; Olaia Chivite Amigo, MArch; Laura Devine, MArch; Kayla Hunter, MPH; Jiayang Li, MLA; Erika Linenfelser, MUD/MURP; Bruna de Souza Oewel, MID; Yao Tang, MArch. Faculty advisors are Ana Paula Pimentel Walker and Maria Arquero de Alarcon.
About the sponsors:
Dow Distinguished Awards
To foster high-impact sustainability collaborations across U-M, Dow Distinguished Awards for Sustainability supports applied sustainability projects across all disciplines and includes students at all academic levels. Projects are student-led, faculty advised, and action-oriented, outlining a new product, service, or project to protect the environment and enhance the quality of life for present and future generations. Projects span the full breadth of sustainability topics, including but not limited to energy, water, communities, food, built environment, transportation, etc. The Distinguished Awards is part of the Dow Sustainability Fellows Program at the University of Michigan, supported by The Dow Chemical Company Foundation.
Ford College Community Challenge
Through the Ford College Community Challenge, Ford Motor Company Fund aims to support colleges and universities as they work with students to design and develop tangible community projects that address critical local needs in new ways, with a focus on helping the community become a more sustainable place to work and live.
