RCE North Texas - 2019

Future Cities; Livable Futures: Towards a Sustainable Model for Urban-Watershed Systems
Basic Information
Title of project : 
Future Cities; Livable Futures: Towards a Sustainable Model for Urban-Watershed Systems
Submitting RCE: 
RCE North Texas
Contributing organization(s) : 
University of Texas at Arlington and National Science Foundation
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Meghna Tare
Organizational Affiliation: 
Chief Sustainability Officer, University of Texas at Arlington
E-mail: 
Name: 
Adrian Parr
Organizational Affiliation: 
Dean, CAPPA University of Texas at Arlington
Name: 
Michael Zaretsky
Organizational Affiliation: 
Associate Professor, Civil Engineering, UTA
Name: 
Nick Fang
Organizational Affiliation: 
Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering,UT Arlington
Name: 
Kevin Sloan
Organizational Affiliation: 
UTA and Kevin Sloan Studio
Format of project: 
Conference, AudioVisual, Sketches,
Language of project: 
English
Date of submission:
Friday, August 16, 2019
Additional resources: 
The Videos of Presentation are available
http://www.futurecitieslf.com/videos/
sustainable urban-watershed management
At what level is the policy operating?: 
International
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Americas
Country: 
United States
Location(s): 
Wise, Denton, Collin, Parker, Tarrant, Dallas, Rockwall, Johnson, Ellis, Kaufman
Address of focal point institution for project: 
The University of Texas at Arlington
701 S. Nedderman Drive #105
Office of Sustainability
Box 19333
Arlington, TX 76019
817-272-0753
Ecosystem(s):
Target Audience:
Community, Higher
Local Government, Army Corps of Engineer, Non Profits
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
The complex convergence of buildings, waterways, recreation areas, and multiple infrastructure and energy systems across metroplex areas in the US are becoming increasingly complicated as the population briskly grows. Urban population growth not only expands the reach and scope of the built environment it also intensifies the demand for water supplies and it places natural ecosystems and watersheds under inordinate stress. Watersheds and metroplex regions are not isolated phenomena; instead, they make up complex systems that require looking at the connections that define the parameters of the problem. (Senge, 1994). The Future Cities, Livable Futures: Toward a Sustainable Model for Urban-Watershed Systems two-day conference at UT Arlington examined the role of the Trinity Watershed as a model for facilitating human and environmental well being across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with a view to engaging local stakeholders in articulating and imagining sustainably sensitive futures of urban-watershed systems. In addition, the conference aimed to deepen the community’s understanding of the social, economic, and cultural implications of how water and human settlements interact. Transportation, and the related infrastructure, also greatly influence urban watersheds. The Texas transportation network is a complex system of various modes that allows people and goods to circulate throughout the state and sustain national and international transportation. As one of the state’s strongest economic engines, the DFW Metroplex is riddled with extensive transportation and infrastructure networks. Representing 7% of land in the state of Texas, the Trinity River Watershed is a relevant model for gaining insight into the interactions between watershed management and the management of transportation infrastructure.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
From 2016-2017 the population of Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex grew by 146,238 people, making it the fastest growing urban area in the United States (US Census, 2017). Located in North Texas within the Trinity River Basin, the commercial, residential, recreational, and infrastructural systems making up the thirteen counties of the metroplex have been moving quickly to adjust and accommodate the rapid population increase. Starting at the Texas-Oklahoma border the Trinity River travels southeast 512 miles to Galveston Bay, where it flows into the Gulf of Mexico (Trinity River Basin), making it the third largest river in the state. The watershed consists of the river, tributaries, streams, creeks, wetlands, habitats for wildlife and aquatic species, grasslands, forests, migratory bird flyways, levees, bridges, reservoirs, drains, roads, and recreation areas. This watershed has also become an important part of a larger system of urban flood control, storm water and water drainage management for the metroplex. In many respects, the Trinity River and by extension, the Trinity Watershed, form the ecological spine of the metroplex, as the watershed system shapes and is in turn shaped by urban flows. Dozens of cities, towns and municipalities line the Trinity River and they are all impacted by changes in river levels. Residents and commercial entities will pay a premium to be located near water, and thus, developments are rapidly increasing along the Trinity River’s 512-mile length.

Transportation, and the related infrastructure, also greatly influence urban watersheds. The Texas transportation network is a complex system of various modes that allows people and goods to circulate throughout the state and sustain national and international transportation (Savonis, Burkett, & Potter, 2008). As one of the state’s strongest economic engines, the DFW Metroplex is riddled with extensive transportation and infrastructure networks. Representing 7% of land in the state of Texas, the Trinity River Watershed is a relevant model for gaining insight into the interactions between watershed management and the management of transportation infrastructure.

The effects of climate change on urban watersheds must also be evaluated and addressed. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other regional governmental reports indicate that many areas in the world will experience up to 25% increased precipitation, changes in stormwater runoff and more frequent storms with higher intensities, resulting in severe impacts on public infrastructure and the ecosystem (Schweikert et al., 2014). Furthermore, rapid urbanization can exacerbate flood vulnerability (due to what? and can you give a reference?).

Again, the Dallas-Forth Worth metroplex and Trinity Watershed represent relevant models for understanding effects related to climate change and flooding. In May 2015, Dallas-Fort Worth experienced flash flooding that exposed the state’s transportation and stormwater infrastructure susceptibility and lack of resilience to natural hazards. Previous building standards, codes and practices of transportation and infrastructures that were established without considering the new climatic trends, are outdated and not prepared to meet the emerging natural challenges predicted. Based on the 2017 Infrastructure Report Card by American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Texas infrastructures including dams, flood control, drinking water, and waste water received the grade of D, which means poor to fair condition and mostly below standard with many elements approaching the end of their service life. This situation is not unique (try to tie this back to a bigger issue in the US or globally, if possible, to remind them this is a relevant model for other areas).

Contents
Status: 
Completed
Period: 
August, 2019
Rationale: 
Our vision for this conference was to bring together cross-disciplinary experts to re-imagine the future of the Trinity Watershed as a system that is a relevant model for urban watersheds across the United States. Urban watershed management requires the participation of the general public, law and policy makers, businesses, and other stakeholders, as well as scientists and engineers in field ranging from hydrology and ecology to the social sciences, design and development. We intend to incorporate design and systems thinking approaches in order to effectively engage researchers, engineers, and these community members as equally-valued partners in the research and planning process.
Objectives: 
1) Providing the general public, scholars, designers, engineers, scientists, non-profit agencies, government, and professionals with multiple points of entry into the problem of how the Trinity Watershed influences and is shaped by the DFW urban system.
2) Increasing knowledge and understanding of the Trinity Watershed and DFW as an interconnected web made up of interacting variables.
3) Building a strong interdisciplinary research and engagement network to advance a sustainable DFW urban-watershed system.
4) Developing areas of research and teaching to be addressed at the University of Texas at Arlington, and in conjunction with area K-12 schools and community colleges, where appropriate.
5) Developing a cross-disciplinary, cross-sector approach to addressing urban watershed systems holistically and sustainably that will influence research and engineering across the US and globally
Activities and/or practices employed: 
The two-day conference followed a clear format that involves first describing current circumstances, sharing current best practices, brainstorming new ideas, testing alternatives, along with synthesizing scientific, humanistic, and creative information. On day two, the ideas and insights of participants were visually summarized by a team of design thinkers through a process of iteration and narration. The Conference was also live streamed for those who were unable to attend in person.
Size of academic audience: 
200
Results: 
Conference participants were encouraged and provided with different opportunities through design thinking exercises to share their stories, memories, ideas, anxieties, and hopes for an urban way of life that is enriched and informed by the rhythms and flows of the Trinity Watershed. The design thinking team collated and synthesized the information shared, provided feedback, and provided a range of approaches to managing the way the watershed impacts the urban systems of the metroplex, assisting participants in integrating new scientific, economic, social, and cultural understandings of the urban-watershed system.
Valuable data and experience was accumulated through the implementation of the proposed system, which will promote nationwide acceptance in the future. In addition, established relationships with local stakeholders in this area were leveraged for study purposes. These will be beneficial for data collection and stakeholders will be willing to incorporate results of this project into future plans and mitigation programs.
Lessons learned: 
The Conference engaged both federal and local governmental partners such as USACE, USGS, NWS, NCTCOG, Cities of Fort Worth, Arlington, and Kennedale, TRWD, North Texas Land/Water Sustainability Forum (NTLWSF), TRA, and others to develop a strong partnership in soliciting their input at various phases of the research tasks. Engaging the federal agencies including USGS, USACE, and NWS will enable us to access a centralized resource in hydrometeorology and infrastructure for effectively implementing disaster mitigation measures, practices and policies across Texas.
Key messages: 
This conference addressed a critical need to bridge the gap between researchers and stakeholders to cooperate in building sustainable future cities to cope with the changing climate as predicted. It is vitally important for devastated communities ready to use more resilient and sustainable design criteria for post-disaster recovery and future rebuilding. The outcome of the conference will enable decision makers to address this need by improving the resilience of current and future transportation and infrastructure systems under floods and tropical storms, and achieving broad goals of sustainability.
Relationship to other RCE activities: 
The Conference engaged both federal and local governmental partners such as USACE, USGS, NWS, NCTCOG, Cities of Fort Worth, Arlington, and Kennedale, TRWD, North Texas Land/Water Sustainability Forum (NTLWSF), TRA, and others to develop a strong partnership in soliciting their input at various phases of the research tasks. Most of these organizations are members of the RCE North Texas and key stakeholders.
Funding: 
The Conference was funded ($58,000) by the National Science Foundation (NSF)

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon 2 Water-Flooding SM.jpg (1.96 MB) Water Flooding Caroline Stultz, UTA
Image icon 3 Nature-RealEstate SM.jpg (2.32 MB) Nature-RealEstate Caroline Stultz, UTA
Image icon 4 Watershed-Urbanism SM.jpg (2.09 MB) Watershed Urbanism Caroline Stultz, UTA
Image icon 5 VantagePoints SM.jpg (1.85 MB) Vantage Points Caroline Stultz, UTA
Image icon 6 Workshop2 SM.jpg (1.79 MB) Workshop Caroline Stultz, UTA
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages 
Direct
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Direct
SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Indirect
SDG 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation 
Direct
SDG 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 
Direct
SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 
Direct
SDG 14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 
Indirect
Theme
Disaster Risk Reduction 
Direct
Traditional Knowledge  
Direct
Curriculum Development 
Direct
Forests/Trees 
Direct
Plants & Animals 
Direct
Global Action Programme (GAP) on Education for Sustainable Development – Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 1 - Advancing policy 
Direct
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments 
Direct
Priority Action Area 3 - Building capacities of educators and trainers 
Direct
Priority Action Area 4 - Empowering and mobilizing youth 
Indirect
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
Direct
Update: 
No