Forthcoming JEED-I: INSIGHTS in Ecological Engineering Design

Evaluating Community Engaged Capstone Projects for Increasing Coastal Resiliency

by James Etheridge, Raymond L. Smith III, Linda D'Anna, Cynthia A. Grace-McCaskey, Janire Pascual-Gonzalez, John E. Sabin III

Abstract

This study explores the synergistic potential of community-engaged engineering capstone projects to enhance coastal resiliency in the face of climate change-induced challenges, such as rising sea levels. Concept designs were developed to mitigate flooding in a coastal watershed, situated less than 1 meter above sea level, through the collaboration of three engineering capstone teams with a rural coastal community. Engaging virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project integrated community insights into the engineering design process, enabling a better understanding of local priorities and challenges. The analysis of the engineering process highlights four pivotal lessons: 1) economic analysis emerged as a significant hurdle for students, underscoring the necessity for more robust educational frameworks; 2) community concerns leaned towards long-term financial sustainability rather than intricate design specifics; 3) the influences of community feedback and constrained student timelines shaped project focus areas; and 4) while community engagement effectively guided project direction, balancing it with technical guidance remains essential. The projects demonstrated integration of community priorities, particularly emphasizing economic and functional feasibility under past storm scenarios. However, identified gaps in addressing long-term resilience and economic analysis call for enhanced faculty guidance. This endeavor underscores the critical role of academic-community partnerships in engineering education, illuminating pathways to more sustainable solutions.