Water, Energy, and Climate Challenges: a Designer’s Briefing

Insightful Commentary by Arid Lands Institute, hosted with UCLA’s IoES

On October 29, Woodbury University in Burbank will play host to a crucial seminar titled “Water, Energy, and Climate Challenges Facing the U.S. West: A Briefing for Designers.” Organized by the Arid Lands Institute (ALI) in collaboration with UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability (IoES), this half-day event aims to rally designers, scientists, and researchers to tackle the pressing water challenges confronting the U.S. West.

Event Details:

• What: Water, Energy, and Climate Challenges Facing the U.S. West: A Briefing for Designers
• When: Saturday, October 29th, 2011, 9:30 am —12:30 pm
• Where: Ahmanson Main Space, Woodbury School of Architecture, Woodbury University, 7500 Glenoaks Boulevard, Burbank, CA 91510
• Cost: Free and open to the public
• More Info: Arid Lands Institute

Event Overview: This enlightening briefing is a joint initiative by ALI and UCLA’s IoES, generously sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing + Urban Development/Office of University Partnerships. Supported by the California Architectural Foundation (CAF) and the American Institute of Architects/California Council (AIA/CC), the event enjoys the endorsement of Woodbury University School of Architecture.

Unveiling Water’s Role: The seminar underscores the intrinsic link between water availability and the future of development across the western United States. Amidst this invaluable discourse, a cadre of scientists and researchers from UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability will present findings, brief attendees, and engage in a Q&A session, delving into the intersections of water, energy, climate change, and strategic design opportunities for a water-smart future.

Eminent Presenters: Esteemed thought leaders in design, engineering, and sustainability will grace the event, including:

• Dr. Glen MacDonald: UC Presidential Chair and Director, UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability.
• Dr. Paul Bunje: Director of UCLA’s Center for Climate Change Solutions, working to bridge the gap between scientists and decision-makers.
• Dr. Stephanie Pincetl: Director of UCLA’s Center for Sustainable Urban Systems, focusing on urban land use and natural environment transformation.
• Dr. Terri Hogue: Specializing in optimization techniques for rainfall-runoff and land-surface modeling, with a focus on semi-arid climates.

Navigating Challenges Through Design: A poignant quote from Dr. Pincetl encapsulates the essence of the event: “Design professionals can inspire change through visionary and untraditional solutions to seemingly intractable problems.” Water, Energy, and Climate Challenges Facing the U.S. West: A Briefing for Designers forms part of ALI’s 2011-2012 Drylands Design Initiative. It serves as a catalyst for architects, landscape architects, engineers, urban designers, and students engaged in the William Turnbull, Jr. Drylands Design Competition.

The winning competition entries will be showcased at the Drylands Design Conference at Woodbury in March 2012 and featured in a traveling exhibition commencing from the Architecture + Design Museum of Los Angeles. A testament to the commitment of UCLA’s IoES and ALI in shaping a sustainable future, this briefing promises to be a pivotal gathering, steering design professionals towards innovative solutions for a water-resilient tomorrow.

About the Partners:

• UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability (IoES): Committed to educating the next generation of environmental leaders, advising businesses and policymakers, and fostering community discussions on critical environmental issues.
• Arid Lands Institute at Woodbury University: Dedicated to adaptive design strategies for drylands, training designers and citizens to navigate resource scarcity and climate change.
• Woodbury University School of Architecture: A network of hubs in Southern California emphasizing the development of students as architect-citizens and cultural builders.

Presenter Profiles:

• Dr. Glen MacDonald: Focuses on climate change impacts on ecosystems and societies across various regions.
• Dr. Paul Bunje: Bridges gaps between scientists and decision-makers, facilitating innovative climate change solutions.
• Dr. Stephanie Pincetl: Researches environmental politics, policies, and governance, with a focus on urban land use.
• Dr. Terri Hogue: Specializes in optimization techniques for rainfall-runoff and land-surface modeling, providing insights into hydrologic cycles.

As the ALI @ Woodbury University forges ahead with its mission, supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the symposium promises a dynamic exchange of ideas and insights, laying the groundwork for a water-wise, sustainable future.”