Puerto Rico Re_Start 4: The East Region 2045

Background

In the wake of the catastrophic impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria and over the depleted socio-economic conditions, the Island became a necessary field for advancing proposals addressing the preservation of the natural resources while elevating the human settlement conditions to procure a viable future. The PR_RS International Project & Research Workshop, through interdisciplinary inter-institutional collaborations, addresses challenges of urban planning, architecture, economics, environmental engineering, historic preservation, and landscape.

In October 2017, for 6 weeks a team of students and professors assembled a working Data Bank as the enabler of projects for the Island, the Puerto Rico Re_Start Prep took place. dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd

The Puerto Rico Re_Start 1 International Project & Research Workshop was held at the University of Puerto Rico - Recinto Rio Piedras in San Juan, from March 16th to March 24th, 2018 under the sponsorship of the UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Urban Quality and Urban Culture, with the presence of the Chair-holder Dr. Lucio Barbera. It gathered the support of UF through the Center for Latin American Studies, the Office of Research, the International Center, the Conference Department, the Shimberg Center BCN-DCP, the School of Architecture DCP, and the Dean’s Office DCP. The directors of the Workshop were Professor Martha Kohen CHU-UF and Dr. Anna Georas SOA-UPR.

Scholars and professors gathered from the University of La Sapienza in Rome and the Politécnico di Torino from Italy, the University of Seville from Spain, the UNESCO partners, the New York Institute of Technology, the Center for Puerto Rican Studies – Hunter College (CUNY), Andrew University, Columbia University, UF CityLab Orlando, Universidad del Turabo PR, Universidad Politécnica PR, and multiple PR NGO’s such as Retoño, Casas de la Selva, Puerto Rico Hardwood and TECHO. The University of Florida delegation was composed of five professors, two Ph.D. scholars, twelve juniors, nine seniors, and eight graduate students. The University of Puerto Rico engaged with eight professors and forty students with a total attendance of 127 participants. Students worked in mixed teams with invited and local professors to develop integrative and interdisciplinary proposals, with the input of local stakeholders, communities, private developers, and the municipalities of Loíza, Canóvanas, and San Juan. The visioning proposals were publicly discussed and presented to a distinguished jury on March 24th, 2018. Design Labs were directed by Dr. Anna Irene del Monaco from La Sapienza University, Dr. Mar Loren from the University of Seville, CHU Director Nancy Clark, UF CityLab Orlando Lecturers Stephen Bender, and Albertus Wang. A parallel Lecture Series engaged the visitors and the wider public. As a result, multilateral collaborations and research proposals were established. Follow up conferences participation occurred in New York on May 11th-12th, 2018, and in Puerto Rico, June 15th, 2018, and coordinated curricular courses developed proposals for Fall 2018. A first public presentation of the results was held at the DCP-UF Research Seminar Series on April 4th, 2018.

Interested groups and individuals are welcome to reach us for this ongoing initiative at puertoricorestart@gmail.com or visit us at www.chu.dcp.ufl.edu for the next editions of the PR_RS International Workshop.

Pre Conference Activities 2017

Puerto Rico Re_Start Prep

After the consequential Hurricanes Irma and Maria passage through the Island of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Islands, the Office of UF VP Dr. David Norton opened the possibility of supporting UPR faculty and graduate students for a limited stay at UF. We were able to receive two faculty members and seven students for four weeks. CHU acted as the host of the activities and actively engaged in logistics and academics with the visitors. Sponsored by Dean Anumba DCP, and Director Alread SoA, we developed jointly the ideas for the International Workshop, held in Puerto Rico March 16th to 24th 2018. The Puerto Rico Re_Start Prep, the preparatory instance held between October 16th and October 30th, 2017, presented its results publicly on November 1st in the School of Architecture.

Academics from the University of Puerto Rico and the University of Florida proposed to rethink settlement paradigms and proposals that will contribute to recovery towards a resilient and sustainable future. It produced extensive background research, bibliographic and web content, alumni linkages, consolidated in a Google drive data bank. The visitors returned to Puerto Rico after the conclusion. The PR RS International Project Workshop has gathered the support of the Chancellor of UPR, the UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Urban Quality and Culture Rome, the UF Center for Latin American Studies, and the College of DCP through academic units and Centers.

Construction of the Workshop Data Bank

Faculty and students from Puerto Rico and UF collaborated in creating comprehensive maps, press, statistics, images, and previous projects Data Bank for the Workshop from October 2017 till March 2018.

UPR faculty members Dr. Anna Georas, Dr. Laurie Ortiz, and students Ivexis Castro, Rafael Lloveras-Fuentes, Patricia del Moral, Luis Rodriguez, Hilyarit Santiago, Paola Santiago, and Brayan Hernandez, participated in studio and seminars at the University of Florida.

Pre Conference Lecture - February 2018

Dr. David Prevatt - PhD, PE, FASCE Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering University of Florida

Caribbean Hurricane Disasters

21st Century Edition

2018 Puerto Rico Re_Start 1

The PR_RS International Project &

Research Workshop 1

Held in March 2018, it gathered the support of the Chancellor of the University of Puerto Rico, the Dean of Architecture UPR, the UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Urban Quality and Culture Rome, the UF Center for Latin American Studies, the UF International Center, the UF Office of Research, the College of DCP, the School of Architecture, the Shimberg Center, CityLab Orlando, the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, Hunter College, City University in New York, the University of Rome, La Sapienza, the University of Seville, Spain, the New York Institute of Technology, the Politécnico di Torino, the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico and the University of Turabo.

2019 Puerto Rico Re_Start 2

Following the successful completion of PR_RS 1 in March 2018, responding to the aftermath of the Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the University of Florida and the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico prepared the second edition held at the PUPR Campus in San Juan. The PR_RS 2 addressed the holistic ideas for inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary integrative proposals, and open new areas for innovative research and visionary projects under the ambitious goal of a Sustainable and Resilient Puerto Rico for 2045.

The Project of the Future

The workshop addressed the resiliency for the future of the Island, with expected consequences beyond Puerto Rico, to the Virgin Islands, Guadalupe, Dominica, Barbuda, Haiti, and more. Interdisciplinary participants, professionals, and academics gathered around subjects of investigation and project proposals. The international participants, the UNESCO for Sustainable Urban Quality and Urban Culture, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (PUPR), the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College, the Puerto Rico Planning Board, the Center for Latin American Studies, the Office of Research and the International Center at UF, together with Puerto Rico’ scholars, and stakeholders worked on the coordination of the comprehensive long-term research agenda, where topics related to a wide selection of issues were addressed, and long-term priorities established.

Three main sections guided the workshop:

Research Round Tables

Gathered data and prioritized research objectives; these scientific meetings will discuss its conclusions publicly by the end of the workshop (economics, population, migration, infrastructure, housing stock, legal environment, finance). The research table-clearing house would promote mixed teams to develop grants and further research.

Public Evening Lecture Series

Showcased incoming contributors and successful initiatives and case studies.

Design Laboratories

Professionals, faculty, and students from UF, Polytechnic, and international institutions from Europe and Latin America participated in the visioning process. The Labs convened interdisciplinary expertise into integrated proposals. Stakeholders and public officials were invited to actively participate. The Workshop results were presented publicly for discussion.

2020 Puerto Rico Re_Start 3 E

Under Emergency

The Workshop had been originally formulated following the pattern established with PUPR for Puerto Rico Re Start 1 and 2. Given the continuing earthquakes, pandemic, and accompanying circumstances that affect the Island and us, an alternative plan was developed to host the Workshop through the University of Florida Conference Center as an on-line Workshop. The institutions involved have courses and research tracks in development for the subjects of the workshop, both at UF, PUPR, and our partner institutions that will continue on-line modalities. The PRRS_3 E was developed entirely on-line. The subjects developed are of global importance and will be disseminated through UNESCO channels, towards addressing growing vulnerabilities in the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa.

Results will be presented at the 27th Global Congress of Architects UIA2021RIO, for which this event has been declared a Preparatory Activity.

Modified conditions

1. Study area

The original area of study comprising of the western Municipalities will be enlarged to include the earthquake-affected areas of Guánica, Guayanillas, and Yauco. The Municipalities addressed in this workshop were Aguadilla, Aguada, Añasco, Mayagüez, Cabo Rojo, Lajas, Guánica, and Guayanilla. A different team of students in UF was assigned to collect relevant data on the additional area, the one impacted by the current earthquakes period.

2. Subject

The following subjects were taken into focused consideration throughout 6 thematic avenues, applied to examples in different zones of the West and South West of Puerto Rico:

● Earthquake, tsunami & flooding risks and response, with evacuation and shelter options.

● Environmental conservation & water management, food production and self-reliance, historical precedents.

● Affordable housing development in its 6 declinations: infill, reuse of properties, retrofit of existing stock, informal settlements, new Eco-neighborhoods, and development of new housing typologies.

● Economic development, appropriate slow tourism modalities, and novel economic proposals.

● Connectivity, establishing efficient N-S and transversal alternative transportation systems.

Workshop Directors

Prof. Martha Kohen

University of Florida

Dr. Carlos Betancourt

Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico

Steering Committee Chair

Assoc. Prof. Nancy Clark

Steering Committee Members

Prof. Pedro M. Cardona Roig

Prof. Edmundo Colon

Dr. David Prevatt

Assoc. Prof. Jeff Carney

Organizational Committee

Maria Estefania Barrios - Assoc. Workshop Director + Coordinator

Dr. Silvia Aloisio - Assoc. Workshop Director

Rafael Lloveras-Fuentes - UF Workshop Coordinator

Giselle Martins - UF Workshop Assistant

Valentina Valderrama - UF Workshop Assistant

University of Florida Partners

Office of Research

VP Dr. David Norton

Center for Latin American Studies

Dr. Phillip Williams

International Center

Dr. Leonardo Villalon

College of Design Construction and Planning

Dean Chimay Anumba

School of Architecture

Acting Director Frank Bosworth

Shimberg Center Director William O’Dell

City Lab Orlando

Director Frank Bosworth

Administrative Support

Naznin Akther

Lisa Haynes

Mary Kramer

Puerto Rico Re_Start 4

The East Region 2045

Summary

The program started in the wake of the 2017 devastating storms Irma and Maria, when the Office of Research at UF opened the opportunity for providing support for the Island Academics and joint research activities with our University. We conducted our initial joint workshop in the UF Campus, and then PRRS 1 (2018) and PRRS 2 (2019) in the Island.

Finally, after performing the Puerto Rico Restart 3 (PRRS3) suddenly completely online in March 2020, (in a very hasty restructuring as the Pandemic conditions arrived) and having postponed PRRS 4 twice along 2021, for the same reasons, affecting both Florida and PR, were able to reengage this Spring 2022 our in-person program in the Island. The PRRS 4 format has been adjusted to the difficult conditions of our Island partners, the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico and the University of Puerto Rico, with whom we maintain active Cooperative Agreements. The format took place as a School of Architecture DCP, UF 4th year Senior Architectural Design 8 course under the instruction of Assoc. Professor Nancy Clark and will be concluded at the end of the Spring term. The course is entitled:

Puerto Rico Project: The East Region 2045, Layers of Resiliency

In our three previous engagements, we had studied and made integrated proposals involving Municipalities, FEMA and state agencies for the North Central, Western and Southern Regions, and the results are published in book format in our website

www.chu.dcp.ufl.edu

This year the Studio is addressing the Eastern region of the main island as well as the Islands of Vieques and Culebra. Assoc. Prof. Nancy Clark guided the travel of 16 students with CHU Research Associate Maria Barrios to the previously discussed project sites in the areas, between March 1st and March 6th, 2022. The group visited with local professionals, academics and administrators and experienced the urban, rural, social, natural, and coastal conditions, as well as discussed, the possibilities of integrated and interdisciplinary resilient proposals. The students surveyed their Project sites and areas. Their individually developed proposals will be discussed in the school ‘s open Final Reviews on April 12 (9:00 to 5:00). They will then be uploaded to our CHU Projects website.

Visit and Itinerary

The group visited the Municipalities of San Juan, Patillas, Arroyo, Yabucoa, Luquillo, Humacao and Vieques. The Cities experienced include also Old San Juan, Isabel Segunda, and Esperanza besides the Municipalities head towns, and the dismissed naval base of Roosevelt Roads. The nature interaction sites visited include Las Casas de la Selva (Sustainable Forestry), the Bioluminescent Bay (Mosquito Bay), and El Yunque National Park and its Angelito Trail.

The personal interactions took place in multiple meetings with:

Arch Carlos Betancourt, former Dean at PUPR, who facilitated the Vieques interviews

Marvel Architects firm (Arch. Raquel Marrero, Jose Juan Terraza and Enrique Milian) Biologist Thrity Jal Vakil (Las Casas de la Selva)

Architect Luis Rodriguez (UPR)

Dr. Rene Estevez Amador (UPR Mayagüez) Marine Extension Director and Research Coordinator of Sea Grant Vice Mayor of Vieques

Julia Matilde Velez, Planner III of Vieques

Issues, Opportunities and discussion subjects reported

1. Sustainable forestry strategies and lumber prospects

2. Protection of natural assets as Bioluminescent bays and Tropical Forests

3. Fishermen communities’ resiliency issues (docks, ramps, piers, process, storage, access)

4. Alternative income generation for fishing coastal towns

5. Sea warming and inland coral reef nurseries as active resilient strategy

6. Shortage of affordable housing in Vieques

7. Abundance of Agricultural lands unoccupied and undeveloped with lack of projects

8. Interest in proposals combining agricultural and housing programs in West and South Vieques.

9. Funding is made available for health infrastructure programs

10. Abundance in various localities of abandoned properties, damaged by the storms.

Schedule & Program of PRRS_4

Tuesday March 1st, 2022

01:00 – 03:30 pm Arrive to San Juan, PR - Check into Hotel

05:00 – 06:30 pm Tour and Presentation @ Marvel Architects

07:00 – 08:30 pm Dinner in Old San Juan

Wednesday March 2nd, 2022

08:00 am Depart San Juan Hotel

09:30 am Tour and Discussion

Eye on the Rainforest

Las Casas de la Selva, Hc 63 Bzn 3879, Patillas

12:00 – 01:30 pm Villa Pesquera, Arroyo

Lunch in Arroyo

02:00 – 05:00 pm Guayama, Yabucoa, Naguake and San Lorenzo Site Visits

06:30 am Bus Drop-off at San Juan Hotel

Thursday March 3rd, 2022

06:00 am Depart San Juan Hotel

08:00 am Ceiba - Vieques Ferry

10:30 – 12:00 pm Visit Exhibition “Geo Visualizing Vieques”

El Fortin Conde de Mirasol, Magnolia 471 Vieques

12:00 – 01:00 pm Visit Vieques Municipality

Meeting with Vice Mayor and Julia Matilde Velez, Planner III

01:00 – 05:00 pm Tour Isabel Town and Lunch

Uber to Esperanza Town - Check into Hotel

08:00 pm Mosquito Bay Bioluminescent Tour

Friday March 4th, 2022

05:00 am Depart Esperanza Hotel

06:00 am Vieques - Ceiba Ferry

08:00 – 11:30 am Roosevelt Roads, Punta Santiago Site Visits

11:30 – 04:00 pm

Luquillo and El Yunque Site Visits

07:00 pm Bus Drop-off at San Juan Hotel

Marvel Architects

Photo Credits: Maria Estefania Barrios

Visit guided by Arch. Raquel Marrero, Jose Juan Terraza and Enrique Milian

Las Casas de la Selva

Photo Credits: Maria Estefania Barrios

Visit guided by Biologist Thrity Jal Vakil

Arroyo Waterfront

Photo Credits: Maria Estefania Barrios

Visit guided by Dr. Rene Estevez Amador

Vieques

Photo Credits: Maria Estefania Barrios

Visit guided by Vice Mayor of Vieques and Julia Matilde Velez

Punta Santiago

Photo Credits: Maria Estefania Barrios

El Yunque Natinal Forest - Visitor Center

Photo Credits: Maria Estefania Barrios

Selected Proposals

The East Region 2045

AN OPENWATER COOPERATIVE

fortifying artisanal fisher communities through aquaculture and shared space

Sophie Nguyentran

yabucoa kingfish

guayama

non-pelagics almost directly off continental shelf

patillas/arroyo

deepwater snapper-groupers

lobster

reef fish

Subsistence fisheries, also termed ‘artisanal’ or ‘small-scale’, are a neglected demographic of Puerto Rico. These mostly coastal villages lack not only physical infrastructure and attention from policy-makers, but additionally face loss of culture due to unsustainable development. As an occupation yet also a heritage, this unique economic sector holds great potential in the conversation of a future where Puerto Rico is resilient, self-sufficient, and culturally connected. Economic circumstances for these communities weaken progressively, in which constituents must leave the fishing industry. Thus, the project proposes a mobile, pelagic (meaning openwater) hatchery station that hosts aquacultural research as well as being a remote facility for traveling fishers, who may also supply transportation and supplies for supplemental income sources. This project additionally presents a prototype for a new kind of villa pesquera (waterfront fisher facility), infusing shared spaces with culture. The proposed design acts on existing infrastructural problems to preserve fisher settlements then to suggest aquaculture as a solution for decreasing fishery populations.

A future where Puerto Rico overcomes the long-term effects of extensive colonialism and evolves to repair itself after economic, social, political, and natural disaster is not out of reach. The island still heavily imports and relies on mainland states. The solution should be comprehensive, with a short-term and long-term goal. A short-term objective should be to redesign and renovate fisher facilities to strengthen the community and properly provide for an industry already existing. Research conducted in “Entangled Communities” showed that while the population of fishery-dependent constituents was and is decreasing, the dependency by these fishers remained the same. Therefore, investing in fisher facilities stands to help retain a dying way of life and sustain fisher culture. Long-term, an area that shows great potential is the aquaculture of fish and shellfish to establish food security for Puerto Ricans, by Puerto Ricans. This growing attitude in the post-colonial context of these days presents a facet of a strategy in which Puerto Rico can achieve selfsufficiency.

Not only can food supply benefit from the island consuming its own seafood, but also it suggests a way in which local fisheries can grow further into knowledge-based communities that help advance the service sector and knowledge economy. For the subsistence fishing livelihood to remain, it must adapt. Experienced local fisher skills and knowledge should be referenced as a base for fishery management, in which protection and conservation of natural resources can be improved. Additionally, jobs that fishers need in the off-season can be supplemented through facilitating and aiding aquaculture research. Currently there are a few mariculture initiatives dabbling in the queen conch, tilapia, tuna, and shrimp husbandry and benthic habitat cultivation. Hopefully, this would also spur a fishing industry that attracts young, working people back to the island, bringing capital with them.

SOUTHEASTERN COASTAL REGION

land-based sites

The aquaculture vessel would gradually follow a traced itinerary between the latitudes of Patillas and Esperanza in Vieques. Determining the exact path is still being determined, but the pelagic mobile unit would remain out at sea, off the continental shelf. The decision for the land-based sites was made after careful evaluation of geographic characteristics, fisher facilities, individual fisher habits and therefore conjunctive association.Tourism and recreational popularity were also factors in comparatively analysing the potential of each municipality as a prospective site.

vieques (esperanza)

esperanza beach esperanza beach isla nena scubaesperanzasouthsidepier

caracas beach

patillas

The villas pesqueras should be renovated, but not made necessarily more complex. On top of the normal consistencies of a villa pesquera (fish-processing area, kitchen, lockers, coolers, bait and dive shop, yola housing (traditional boats), and conference room. The visitor facilities should have a sort of reception or informational desk area, lockers, kayak housing, and rental shop. They should house both recreational (fishing, kayaking, paddle-boarding) and commercial (fisher) program, but most importantly, the programs must overlap in some spaces to foster goodwill between visitors and locals. These include a public courtyard, a muelle (dock), boat repair workshop, exterior showers, and public bathrooms.

ruinas de los muelles de la hacienda felicia malecon de arroyo balneario y centro vacacional puna guilarte playa las palmas arroyo

bajo

mar de la tranquilidad malecon y pescaderia pata abajo villa pesquera beach of patillas

patillas

Balneario Esperanza [vieques]

The second site is located on the eastern island of Vieques, approximately 1500 miles from the mainland’s coast. The Viequense fisher at first glance may be indistinguishable from one of the mainland, however the sense of pride and identity on the small island is strong, with a history of long-term animosity felt among constituents towards hands of power, particularly the U.S. Navy. Bombing has affected the water, substrates, mangroves, reefs, sea grass beds, and other environments. Such as in El Bajo, species of interest are deepwater snapper-groupers, lobsters, and conchs. As of the March 2022 visit to Esperanza, the author’s observations of the beach, despite being beautiful, had been victim to much coral bleaching. Walking along the eastern side of Cayo de Tierra down to the tip and back, remains of fan coral, brain coral, and various sponges were abundant. The accelerating decline of the coral reefs can be most attributed to sea temperature change but also the aggressive September 2017 hurricanes, Irma and Maria.

As for the pinpointed site of the Esperanza beachfront for intervention of a villa pesquera, evaluation determined there to be no constructed building but instead a small pier separately provided for fishermen, while a larger, albeit destroyed, one located east of it was allocated for recreation. The fisherman’s pier is exclusively for the fishers, separated with a locking gate. Upon interview, the vice-mayor of Vieques stated that a new proposal had just been approved to reconstruct the fisherman’s pier in Vieques, pointing to frequent use and care. Much like the balneario at Patillas, the piers and the area between them hosted much activity, with locals and tourists alike enjoying the water, playing in the sand, and launching paddle-boards and kayaks.

Referring to the association, fishers have complained of part-time fishers causing strained relations with the officials who monitor them. They are not officially in an association, and thus create misleading evidence that the bonafide fishers are damaging the ecosystem, when parttime fishers may be responsible. In Vieques, keeping lobsters with eggs instead of releasing them and damaging the reefs have been cited. Amongst themselves, the four leaders of the associations in Vieques, although do have internal conflicts with each other, are still effective when it comes to uniting to speak up with local government or matters. Trap fishing is still important in Vieques, although young fishers prefer to dive. Overall, Viequenses feel a strong, unique identity from other municipalities. This translates to their ambivalence towards some things such as regulations, which can consequently be counter-productive.

The municipality of Patillas, located along the southeastern coast of mainland Puerto Rico, was formerly a part of Guayama. In the 2007 NOAA report “Entangled Communities”, Griffith and Valdes-Pizzini identified a rising construction sector in the municipality, though industry in Patillas remained agricultural into the 1900s despite the general demise of industries like tobacco and coffee. The coastline is described as rugged and rocky, resulting in little population and development - perfect for the reefs and the reef fish that Patillas principally outputs (deepwater snapper and grouper).

balneario patillas [mainland]

The site is the beachfront of Patillas, which possesses an association not as well-off compared to its neighbour Arroyo, but still an area that offers existing infrastructure that needs revitalisation and room to grow. While described (in 2007) as “comfortable” and “pleasant” by the report, the site visit can confirm the concrete block facilities seem somewhat functional, but has no spatial quality (besides the emptiness of the sandy lot) and possesses no design. The site is a small lot consisting of storage lockers, a freezer, and possibly more within, then leads out into an informal boat ramp. There is also a parking lot east of the fishers’ area, then further, a recreational area for locals and tourists alike. The infrastructure of the recreational area is much better, and actually designed, with a clear unifying scheme - a motif of yellow acrylic paneling on each building and gazebo in the beachfront park. Local guides at the time of the site visit were launching kayaks from another informal, dug boat ramp. There is no constructed dock or pier here either. Evaluation would conclude with an assurance of human activity on the balneario, both recreational and commercial, and a clear indication of a need for more designed infrastructure to meet the needs of the constituents already there.

The Asociación de Pescadores del Bajo who uses the facilities is said to have a good relationship with that of Arroyo. The majority of fishers here are divers (and also in Arroyo) rather than trap-fishers, another issue in and of itself in fishing communities. Tensions between traditional trap-fishers and eager fishers seeing the efficiency of diving convert to this modality but face much more consequential danger of unsafe diving practices, seen in the bends. Despite this, the fishers in El Bajo, Patillas tend to supposedly be more open and inclusive as a community for newcomers and outsiders.

Speculative drawings of marine tools and life (above of a fishing net) initiated the form-finding process, a balance between communicating the idea of an object floating on open-water but also a body that was responsive to hydro-dynamics.

The program is tri-fold, combining functional programs of subsistence fishers, sustainable tourism,and labs and facilities for husbandry in order to reflect the multi-faceted and intertwined nature of these three industries that critically affect each others’ productivity. Aquaculture research and husbandry should be conducted alongside experienced fishers to foster trust between regulatory agencies and local constituents; the exchange of knowledge would only increase the community, forming a larger network that is still specifically bonded through profit and companionship in the ocean economy. Because subsistence fishing, no matter the dependency, will always be seasonal with various closures, the abandonment of fishing to go to industries like construction and unsustainable tourism will always be prevalent unless a better alternative (such as aquaculture) presents itself.

The project proposes a large-scale, slow-moving vessel with a submerged aquaculture pen to be a mobile hub on the open ocean for dedicated researchers and Puerto Rican fishers. Much like the landbased villas pesqueras, the mariculture mobile unit should provide program like storage lockers, equipment repair, and gathering space for visiting fishers. It should also contain permanent spaces for lodging of both researchers and fishers, an algal culture room, a broodstock quarantine area, a spawning area, a larval rearing unit, a dry lab, and storage. It should possess the capacity to isolate certain spaces from each other to isolate in case of outbreak. The vessel should also have fish-aggregating devices on the bottom infrastructure and rooms compartments for filtering equipment. In the case of natural disaster, the large mobile unit could be towed to shore and lodged temporarily.

On land, a renovation of the pre-existing sites is appropriate. The facilities should not lose creativity in functionality and vice versa; however, emphasis on community space should be the unifying part of the design. The spirit of place and the culture that takes place there should be respected, while also incorporating a smaller program of tourism. Fisher facilities should be improved and recreational visitor facilities should be added. Each category should possess their unique spaces but must also overlap in some functions, in order to create a community space that fosters positive relationships between fishers and non-fishers. The fisher needs should be met with a fish-processing room, kitchen, lockers, coolers, yola housing, bait/ dive shop, and most importantly, conference room. Visitor facilities should include an information desk, lockers, kayak housing, and a small rental shop. Public bathrooms, exterior showers, a boat repair workshop, pier, and public space (courtyard) should be shared between the two parties of constituents. Fishers of each respective neovilla pesquera can supply the mariculture mobile unit when nearby off-shore as supplementary income to fishing and can also directly benefit from ecotourism, where tourists can purchase excursions and equipment directly from the fishers.

The aquaculture vessel should integrate program of scientific research and commercial fishery activity, but also recreation. Its spaces should be experientially tied to a major gathering space, a conference room, in which constituents, researchers, and fishers may communicate and facilitate interdisciplinary progress. Functional research programs should include wet and dry labs, larval and juvenile hatch rearing facilities to be eventually released to the open-water pen for further livestock development. More cross-programming elements should be the use of lecture rooms in which researchers may spread awareness and educate - and vice versa - a space where fishers can share their vast knowledge about fish patterns, livestock, and field ecology.

The fishers, however, must also have access to their own distinct spaces and facilities - short-term lodging as the hatchery station acts as a go-between on the open sea, storage lockers for equipment, and freezers. Other features include two docks - one for boat docking and access and one for personnel access (no vehicles) - as well as a promenade deck. The form of the hatchery station vessel was derived from hydro-dynamic curves and geometry of aquatic life forms, such as bleached coral samples taken from Esperanza, Vieques, one of the sites. While employing dynamic geometry, the ring-based spatial formation implies stasis in the water - the station should move extremely slowly between the latitudes of the land-based villas pesqueras in Esperanza and Patillas.

2. Protecting the Landscape

2. Protecting the Landscape

An Alternative Scenario for the Future of Punta Santiago

An Alternative Scenario for the Future of Punta Santiago

Protecting the Landscape

Laura Ellis

Laura Ellis

Faculty Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Nancy Clark

Faculty Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Nancy Clark

An alternative scenario for the future of Punta Santiago

Laura Ellis

Starting with researching about coastal flooding near cities along the east border of Puerto Rico, I found various cities in need of protection. Although there were many, there was one major place that was irreplaceable and putting in so much effort to keep the town running. This barrio - also known as a neighborhood - was Punta Santiago located in Humacao. With a population growing more each year after Hurricane Maria, Punta Santiago is comprised of 4,000 + individuals in 3.17 square miles. The barrio was severely damaged by Hurricane Maria and is known as a very vulnerable area to natural disasters and flooding. The direct line of Hurricane Maria hit Punta Santiago the hardest. However, their rich history and culture is strong and there has been various, pushing intentions that have been at work to rebuild this town back into its former beauty. One organization that has tremendously leaded the aspirations has been P.E.C.E.S., Inc. This is a non-profit organization that promotes educational, economic, and social development in mainly Punta Santiago but also in southeastern Puerto Rico. Overall they seek to be recognized for excellence in the development of leaders, community service, and in education with a preferential option for youth development. When the class visited Punta Santiago, I met with the Senior Vice President of the Educational Programs and Social Development of P.E.C.E.S. She told us there is currently 276 students from Punta Santiago and neighborhoods in eastern Puerto Rico. While teaching the 9th-12th graders, the organization integrates the students in helping the community. After Hurricane Maria, this organization supplied water, clothes, and other needs to support the town. Overall, this organization provides social, economic, and emotionally help. After the high schoolers finish high school, the school promotes the older students to work, go to the university, or go into a trade. The facility is comprised of classrooms, fine arts, cafe, and basketball courts. Punta Santiago is still lively today due to the deep rooted culture of individuals wanting to keep the town alive and also the tourism. Punta Santiago is known for the beautiful, famous beaches along its coast. Individuals from all over Puerto Rico come here to relax. FEMA has also made it greatly known to help revitalize this area by giving a great amount to show that this area is worth it to aid Punta Santiago to rebuild the tourism part of it. Tourism provides an incredible amount of money to area.

The proposal: Overall, the strategies for this alternative scenario for the future will not only protect the land from harm, but also will keep the strong culture and history from not collapsing. These strategies plays an important role in building physical and social resilience: it retains, conveys and cleans water, protecting the surrounding neighborhoods while providing amenities and benefits to the community.

What is the best scenario for the future?

Taking retrofitting communities near the flooded areas and making it accessible. Rethinking, redesigning and re-purposing existing structures to

Landslides in Puerto Rico

Flooding in Punta Santiago

Location of Punta Santiago in Humacao

Timeline of punta Santiago

P.E.C.E.S., Inc.

Programa de Educacion Comunal de Entrega y Servicio

The Community Education Delivery and Service Program (P.E.C.E.S., Inc.) is a non-profit organization that promotes the social, economic and educational development of marginalized communities.

94,000 people have received some service from P.E.C.E.S.: hot food, drinking water, canned food, medicines, psychological services, legal assistance, tools, water filters, sunlamps, clothes, baby diapers, baby supplies, cleaning, and much more.

276 students total from the following neighborhoods:

Caguas - 4

Ceiba - 9

Fajardo - 7

Gurabo - 1

Humacao - 129

Juncos - 7

Los Piedras - 19

Maunabo - 3

Naguabo - 70

Rio Grande - 1

San Lorenzo - 1

Yabucoa - 24

P.E.C.E.S., INC.

Key points of interest

Tourism

Tourism in punta

Santiago

Destruction in punta Santiago

collage of punta Santiago

Proposal Steps:

Punta Santiago is surrounded by Humacao Natural Preserve which is comprised of brackish lagoons, beaches, swamps, and mangroves. As you walk Humacao Natural Preserve, individuals observe different ecosystems and explore various species that live in that certain habitat. This Kayak center celebrates the natural wildlife of Punta Santiago. It builds the ecotourism and offers services that go from walking tours, kayak, pedal, observation of flora and fauna for individuals and groups. Here, individuals come to appreciate and at the same time learn about the Nature wonders.

kayak center

This open-air community center connects to a trendy and buzzing area of Punta Santiago. This area is known for it’s popular restaurants and famous pier. Although it is a popular area, it is missing an area for individuals to rest by the well-known beach - Playa Punta Santiago. This community center will help bring more individuals to the area to take a rest from the hot sun which will aid tourism for the neighborhood. Overall this open-air community center is used to shade individuals along the beach. It is a place known on the daily for rest and social activities.

3. Dual Program Structure Strategies

Dual Program Structure Strategies

Rebuilding and Protecting the Punta Santiago Population

Brandon Lopez

Rebuilding and Protecting The Punta Santiago Population

Faculty Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Nancy Clark

Punta Santiago Visitor Retreat/Storm Shelter

Brandon Lopez

After the examination of multiple communities throughout Puerto Rico. It is shown that FEMA and other entities are trying to promote investments in areas that have been weathered by the causes of natural disasters and a shift in economic drivers. This led to the idea of a dual purpose structure that will remain a visitor retreat during daily use, while also having the ability to house one fourth of Punta Santiagos population during emergencies. With this structure being built on one of the only hillsides in the town, will help bring eco-tourism back to the town that has had a decline in tourists due to the vacation center being destroyed and flooded by the most recent hurricanes. The site location was picked for its surrounding area of the Humacao Nature Reserve on three of the four sides, as well as the high ground topography. This proposal breaks the barrier for the creation of more high elevation areas of settlement and economic structures for the residents of Punta Santiago.

Preliminary Analysis

Fema Flood Map1

Preliminary Analysis

Economic Relief Through Eco-Tourism

-Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) includes over $5.1 million for repairs at the Punta Santiago Vacation Center in Humacao2

-$6.2 million obligation to restoring projects related to the enjoyment of the environment

-The main economic driver of Punta Santiago is through tourism and the environment. The ability to restore these buildings will help benefit in the rebuild on the town.

pUNTA Santiago Vacation Center

pUNTA Santiago Aquatic Park

Preliminary Analysis

Fema Flood Mapping3

Preliminary Analysis

Flood Evacuation Mapping

Evacuation Plan4

Preliminary Analysis

Preliminary Analysis

Preliminary Analysis

Site

Placement (Punta Santiago)

Preliminary Analysis

Site Existing Trails/Open Land

Proposal

Site Modules

Observatory

Offices/Giftshop/Cafe

Temporary Housing

Dining Hall

Proposal

Site Plan

Endnotes

1 https://static.temblor.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Puerto-Rico-Flood-Map.jpg

2 https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210422/fema-awards-over-62-million-ecotourism-facilities

3 https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home

4 https://redsismica.uprm.edu/spanish/tsunami/mapas_desalojo.php

4. On the Edge

Increase the Resilience of Punta Santiago against Flooding through Flood Protection & Education

Kai Wang

Faculty Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Nancy Clark

5. Beacon of Safety

Antonia Banos Faculty Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Nancy Clark

Luquillo, Puerto Rico Capital Del Sol

Luquillo Tsunami Plan

Luquillo Mitigation Plan Goals:

-Construction of two vertical escape towers

- Improvement of rainwater collection/ harvesting

Site Analysis

Tsunami Evacuation Plan

Ecosystem mapping

Cultural Hubs and Tourism

Tsunami and Earthquake Mapping

FEMA Vertical Tsunami Refuge

Requirements:

- 10 sq ft per person

- Supplies for 24 hours- sufficient water, non-perishable emergency rations, first aid kits,

- Mile radius to intended occupants

- Minimum height: inundation level + 10% inundation level+ 10 ft

- Emergency generator and fuel above inundation level

- Exterior vertical circulation Luquillo

Isolated Systems

Rainwater Harvesting

Water Needed

Recommended water: .97 gallons/ day per person

1 gallon= .133 cubic feet

750 people= 727.5 gallons

727.5 gallons= 97 cubic feet

Actual Tank Size

314 cubic ft.= 2,367 gallons; 2,440 people

Facade

Solar Ivy Photovoltaic Panels

Program

section organized as a calendar depicting different potential programs relative to each month of the year

Ground Floor Plaza and Amphitheater

6. Extension in Education

Christian Pendergrass

Faculty Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Nancy Clark

Vieques Public School

“We cannot know the consequences of suppressing a child’s spo when they are just beginning to be active. We may even suffocate life itself. That humanity which is revealed in all its intellectual splendor during the sweet and tender age of childhood should be respected with a kind of religious veneration. It is like the sun which appears at dawn or a flower just beginning to bloom. Education cannot be effective unless it helps a child to open up himself to life.”

Dr. Maria Montessori

7. Rio Sabana

Revitalization Project

Jenna Williams

Faculty Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Nancy Clark

Site Context

Luquillo, Puerto Rico

LUQUILLO FEMA FLOOD MAP

THE PROPOSED SOLUTION:

Goals:

- Mitigate Flooding

- Reconnect community to river

- Implement new recreational activities

Key Areas:

Special Thanks to the following Municipalities:

Additional Photo Credits

Photo Credit: Prof. Martha Kohen

Cover: Maria Estefania Barrios