Digital Commons Network^™

From Disaster To Resilience: Developing Smart Settlements In The Himalayas, Keshav Bhattarai, Ambika P. Adhikari

Himalayan Research Papers Archive

Nepal’s catastrophic 26 August 2026 Bhote Koshi–Trishuli flood should be understood not only as a humanitarian tragedy but also as a potentially major turning point in updating national settlement and reconstruction policy. Engineers and scientists have described the floods as a glacier–bedrock collapse that triggered an ice-rock avalanche and debris flow. As per the live updates on September 7, 2026, the total death toll was 1,355, and 4,996 people were missing (The Hindu, 2026). Indian and Nepali rescuers worked urgently to locate and rescue people buried under hydropower tunnels, buildings, mud, and landslide debris.

UN News reported on September 3, …

Problems With Small Drinking Water Systems In Developing And Developed Countries: How Do They Compare?, Kurt Kesteloot

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation compares the factors that drive the long-term functionality of small drinking water systems (serving fewer than 10,000 people) in developing and developed country contexts, with a focus on groundwater supplies. Using regression analysis in SAS and complementary fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) for developing countries, the study integrates two datasets: 23 Engineers Without Borders project surveys (90+ variables across 14 countries) and a multi-year National Park Service inspection dataset (approximately 1,561 systems; 7,460 recorded deficiencies, enriched with U.S. Census ZIP-code aggregates). In developing countries, statistically significant predictors of success include government cash contributions (odds ratio [OR] ≈ 67.6), …

The Effect Of The Socioeconomic Variety In Greater Cairo On Transport Mode Choices, Rafik Yanni

Theses and Dissertations

In the last decade, Egypt has experienced a noticeable upgrade in its infrastructure investment, implementing a lot of transport projects, especially in the Greater Cairo region. In a city with over 20 million residents, variations lie in socioeconomic elements like income, age, gender, and neighborhood, which shape people’s choice of mobility modes based on their culture and lifestyle. The questions then become: whom are these new projects targeting? What are the barriers to using these services? And is there any willingness to change commuting habits if conditions changed? This thesis investigates how the socioeconomic variety in Greater Cairo metropolitan region …

Application Of Passive Samplers For Exploring Remedial Progress In The Torch Lake Aoc And Interlake Variability Of Pcbs, Cailin B. Bishop

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This study evaluates changes in dissolved polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations in Torch Lake, Michigan, an Area of Concern shaped by decades of legacy contamination and evolving restoration policy. Passive samplers deployed across sites and seasons (2024–2025) show total PCB concentrations ranging from below detection to 110 pg/L (mean = 16.8 pg/L), representing an approximate 90% decline since 2005. Comparisons with regional reference lakes indicate no statistically significant difference (p = 0.84), suggesting concentrations may approach background atmospheric levels despite continued variability. Congener profiles indicate a shift toward lower-chlorinated PCBs, though interpretation of higher-chlorinated congeners is limited by slow sorption kinetics. …

Smart Building Rating System: A Comparative Analysis Of National And International Rating Systems, Amanah Hamidah, Mohammed Ali Berawi, Mustika Sari, Gunawan Saroji

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

Smart buildings have become a key part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by the need for efficient, sustainable, and adaptive built environments. Their importance is growing alongside Indonesia’s effort to develop smart cities. This study compares Indonesia’s national smart building certification system, established under Ministerial Regulation No. 10 of 2023, with two international systems: the European Union’s Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) and the SmartScore certification. The analysis uses a literature review and comparative method to examine each system’s assessment criteria, scoring method, and certification tier. The findings show that Indonesia’s regulation includes six parameters, such as cybersecurity and operational …

The Floodnet Community Engagement Guide, Véronëque Ignace, Sofia Mariyamis, Kendra Krueger, Polly Pierone, Hayley Elszasz, Hannah Eisler Burnett

The Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay, SRIJB

"At the Intersection of Science, Policy, and Community: The FloodNet NYC Community Engagement Strategy” is a public-facing community engagement guide that documents the strategies, tools, and lessons developed through FloodNet NYC, a cross-sector partnership among researchers at NYU and CUNY and New York City agencies. Designed as a practical resource, this guide shares our approach to community engagement and dissemination so that researchers, practitioners, community organizations, and public agencies can adapt these methods to their own urban climate science projects and other community-centered efforts that address climate challenges.

Grounded in community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles, the guide presents community engagement …

The City As The Classroom: The Case Of “Start ‘Em Young Advocacy” At Silliman University, Philippines, Novee Elarmo Maestrecampo Jr., Giovanni Tuballa Macahig

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

This case study highlights the value of engaging with communities as real-world environments for practical and reflective learning. It suggests that students can develop insights and acquire knowledge through interactions with diverse groups and locations, even within urban settings. The paper presents the experience of implementing the “Start ‘em Young Advocacy,” a student-led, environment-focused, and project-based initiative within the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) under the National Service Training Program (NSTP) at Silliman University, Philippines. In collaboration with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), CWTS students worked with thirty daycare centers. Using Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory as a …

Maximising Solar Pv Potential: A Comprehensive Review Of Factors Affecting Photovoltaic Installation And Generation In A Mild Temperate Oceanic Climate, Aiza Ahmad, Niamh Power, Evan Finnegan

Publications

The urgency of addressing the climate emergency and clean energy transitions have spurred worldwide initiatives to increase utilisation of renewable energy sources. The integration of rooftop photovoltaic panels at domestic level, often underestimated, is a priority across Europe to meet targets of net-zero emissions by 2050. PV systems represent a crucial technology for renewable energy generation and mitigating climate change. However, their performance and potential are influenced by various factors, including environmental conditions, building parameters and geographical factors. This paper demonstrates multiple factors that affect PV potential in mild temperate oceanic climates, using Ireland as a representative case study. Unlike …

2025 Scholarly Productivity Report, Missouri University Of Science And Technology

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Scholarly Productivity Reports

No abstract provided.

Nh Stormwater Manual 2025, Unh Stormwater Center, Comprehensive Environmental Inc., Nh Department Of Environmental Services

UNH Stormwater Center

No abstract provided.

Lessons In Low-Tech: A Handbook For Sustainable Education, Ceri Almrott, Loann Astorino, Sébastien Bette, Benoit Delinchant, Philippe Fortemps, Ulysse Girard, Paul Hendrick, Sacha Hodencq, Fabian Lecron, Julie Lhuissier, Kévin Loesle, Luis Miguel Lopez Santiago, Santiago Perez Rodriguez, Gauthier Renard, Tatiana Reyes, Virginie Vandenbulcke, John Walsh

Other resources

LT4SUSTAIN, an Erasmus+ funded transnational project, is at the forefront of responding to the increasing awareness of environmental and climate challenges. This awareness, particularly among youth, has led to a demand for social justice. With the coordinated work among six institutions, ranging from higher education institutions to private companies and associations, LT4SUSTAIN aims to raise awareness of Lowtech across society.

LT4SUSTAIN is pioneering a unique approach to technology design. By developing “hackathons” and other “hands-on” events, we are engaging students and industry in a way that improves inclusiveness. Our objective is to equip individuals with the skills to embark on …

Preparing The Built Environment In Grenada For Future Sea Level Rise And Extreme Precipitation Events, Rocco D. Boyd, Meagan P. Duncan, Alivia D. Markham, Adelle K. Novak, Blaizen B. Bloom, Ashawne Edwards, Jai S. Lewis, Hans-Peter Plag

CCPO Publications

[Introduction] Communities across the globe are being affected by climate change in numerous ways. However, those most often affected, especially by sea level rise, are those small island nations that are pressed for space already; this includes the island of Grenada. Grenada is located in the southern portion of the Caribbean and is bordered by the Caribbean Sea (West) and the Atlantic Ocean (East). The planning and development authority (PDA) has been identified as the main stakeholder involved in this case study, but recommendations will be made to all parties involved to best accomplish our mission.

Key stakeholders were initially …

A Scoring Approach For Evaluating And Ranking Complete Streets Projects, Eirini Stavropoulou

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

Complete Streets is a vital strategy for developing an equitable transportation network that provides access to all users and transportation options to communities. A growing interest in this concept has been noted in the United States, with over 1,700 Complete Streets-related policies implemented nationwide. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has developed the “Complete Streets, Roads, and Highways Manual” and the “Complete Streets Policy” aiming to promote a safer and more inclusive transportation system statewide through Complete Streets implementation. A recent KYTC initiative was the development of a scorecard to systematically evaluate Complete Streets projects competing for funding. The scorecard is …

2024 Scholarly Productivity Report, Missouri University Of Science And Technology

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Scholarly Productivity Reports

No abstract provided.

Green Cities And Transportation, Ariadna Reyes-Sanchez, Soheil Sharifi-Asl, Ladan Mozaffarian

Mavs Open Press Open Educational Resources - Archive

Green Cities and Transportation examines the significance of sustainable transportation projects for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions while supporting transportation equity for vulnerable commuters. The book examines insightful case studies from around the world that can serve as a reference for sustainable transportation initiatives in the U.S. It is organized into three sections: 1) Sustainability, Transportation Equity, and Planning, 2) Case Studies and Lessons from the North and South, and 3) Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Cities, and Mobility.

Exploring The Transformation Of Sustainable Collective Spaces: A Study From Mlalakuwa Informal Settlement, Jacob Lutta

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

A major challenge in collective space transformation is addressing the complexity of informal urbanisation in developing countries. Using a case study approach, this paper examines the concerns related to a particular informal settlement's sustainable collective space transformation. One of the key findings is that the absence of formal rules and regulations in the development of informal settlements in combination with land-grabbing leads to the absence of open spaces that could be used collectively. It is observed that sustainability in urban development is another body of critical thought that integrates several streams of current urban elements and embodies various conceptions of …

Addressing Multimodal Transportation Needs Through Complete Streets Implementation, Eirini Stavropoulou, Nikiforos Stamatiadis, William Staats, Teng Wang, Reginald Souleyrette

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Since the early 2000s, over 1,600 transportation agencies in the United States have adopted Complete Streets policies. Recently, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) published its Complete Streets, Roads, and Highways Manual, which aims to implement a safe and equitable transportation system throughout the state, as well as a Complete Streets policy. The manual and policy offer guidance on integrating Complete Streets principles into road design, however, KYTC currently lacks tools or methods to evaluate how well specific projects address Complete Streets goals. This is problematic because systematic assessments are needed to effectively prioritize projects and allocate scarce funding. Based …

Estimation Of Benefits From Pedestrian And Bicycle Improvements, Dionysios Tzamakos, Nikiforos Stamatiadis, William Staats, Teng Wang, Reginald Souleyrette

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Delivering safe mobility for all users of the transportation system is a key priority of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). Because many system users rely on pedestrian and bicycle facilities, it is critical for KYTC to balance pedestrian and bicycle facility accommodations with those for motorized users. Currently, the Strategic Highway Investment Formula for Tomorrow (SHIFT) — the Cabinet’s systematic approach to scoring and prioritizing proposed roadway projects — awards up to five points (out of a possible total of 100) for pedestrian and bicycle projects. But the agency lacks a robust method for estimating the benefits of pedestrian and …

Equitable Infrastructure: Achieving Resilient Systems And Restorative Justice Through Policy And Research Innovation, Jason P. Giovannettone, Gregg P. Macey, Amir Aghakouchak, Michele Barbato, William J. Capehart, Auroop R. Ganguly, Mital Hall, Jennifer F. Helgeson, Si Han Li, Teng Wu, Guirong Yan, Farshid Vahedifard

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Recent major investments in infrastructure in the United States and globally present a crucial opportunity to embed equity within the heart of resilient infrastructure decision-making. Yet there is a notable absence of frameworks within the engineering and scientific fields for integrating equity into planning, design, and maintenance of infrastructure. Additionally, whole-of-government approaches to infrastructure, including the Justice40 Initiative, mimic elements of process management that support exploitative rather than exploratory innovation. These and other policies risk creating innovation traps that limit analytical and engineering advances necessary to prioritize equity in decision-making, identification and disruption of mechanisms that cause or contribute to …

Designed For Life: Unearthing Just And Sustainable Urban Design Through The Daylighting Of Phalen Creek, Corgan R. Archuleta

Geography Honors Projects

This thesis conceptualizes a relational approach to urban design. Often separated from justice, I argue urban design can shape spaces to enable respectful and reciprocal human and more-than- human relationships. Focusing on Phalen Creek in Saint Paul, Minnesota, I illuminate just and sustainable possibilities between ecologically sustainable and socially inclusive design. Phalen Creek was a natural waterway buried in a pipe during 20th century urbanization to be partially reconstructed through daylighting. The Indigenous and Immigrant stories driving restoration expand urban design’s liberatory potential. Combining just sustainabilities with infrastructure theory and Indigenous Knowledges, I contend urban design offers a relational approach …

Partnership And Coalition Efforts For Community-Based Research: Towards A Liveable Urban And Rural Settlement In Kwazulu-Natal, Sibongile A. Ngcobo, Nene E. Khalema, Tawanda Makusha

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

This paper examines the role of community partnerships and coalitions in the intricate and constantly evolving dynamics of communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Various aspects of the community context, such as socioeconomic conditions, geography, environmental factors, demographics, community politics, and cultural norms, often influence these community partnerships and coalitions. This study adopted the Community Coalition Action Theory as an organisational framework to examine the efforts of coalitions and partnerships in community-based research. The research applied a mixed-methods approach. This included a survey and individual interviews within the research organisation responsible for multiple community-based projects in rural and urban areas of …

Liveable Communities: A Case Study Of Availability, Proximity, And The Quality Of Critical Infrastructure In Colombo, Srilanka, Maheshi Tennakoon, Udayangani Kulatunga

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

The concept of livable communities has become increasingly significant in regional planning, aiming to improve the quality of life for residents. Despite continued investment in critical infrastructure in developing countries, the enhancement of livability has not kept pace with infrastructure development. This study investigates the impact of crucial infrastructure on community livability, utilizing a holistic single case study approach with Colombo as the case study. The relationship between critical infrastructure development and urban livability serves as the unit of analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with ten subject matter experts and analyzed using manual content analysis. The research finds …

Design Of Sustainable & Affordable Housing For Disadvantaged Communities In Nicaragua, Guillermo Terán

Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering Senior Theses

Addressing Nicaragua's urgent housing needs, this project transforms a conventional CMU block design into a sustainable and affordable model using local, structural bamboo and adobe plaster. It includes appropriate member size connections, local-code compliant construction drawings, cost estimation and logistics, offering an eco-friendly, affordable housing solution for local communities. The scope of this project can be emphasized with the three words from the project title which are design, sustainable & affordable. The design aspect of this project involved producing detailed architectural and engineering drawings for the housing model, incorporating structural design to ensure the safety, stability and durability of the …

Assessment Of Educational Facilities In Osogobo Metropolis Nigeria, Dele S. Ogundahunsi, Martins B. Gasu, Samuel B. Adedotun, Olayiwola Olayode, Akintayo O. Ojo, Christiana Olayode

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

This study assessed educational facilities in the Osogbo metropolis, Nigeria, aiming to evaluate the available educational facilities, examine student and staff satisfaction levels, and analyze their availability across schools in the area. The sample consisted of 476 schools, from which 73 were randomly selected. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to sample 1,863 pupils/students and 87 teachers for questionnaire administration, complemented by observation. Data were analyzed using Mean Weighted Average, Summation of Weighted Value, and Analysis of Variance. Findings showed that 63.4% of primary schools had the listed facilities, while 75% of secondary schools reported 81% availability. Public primary school …

2023 Scholarly Productivity Report, Missouri University Of Science And Technology

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Scholarly Productivity Reports

No abstract provided.

A Guide To Navigating Existing And Emerging Sources Of Local Vmt And Travel Data, So-Ra Baek, Dohyung Kim

Mineta Transportation Institute

As the crisis of climate change looms, transportation policy in California continues to emphasize sustainability in land-use and transportation decisions. This report evaluates the implementation of two sustainability-focused policies (Senate Bill 375 and 743) by local governments and the current-state-of-the-practices by metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in assisting them in California. The research focuses on local governments’ access and use of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and transportation data for achieving VMT and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction by land-use planning. The research also examines the role of MPOs in providing needed transportation data, training, and technical support to its local members to …

Developing Sustainable Smart Cities To Improve Citizen's Quality Of Life And Well-Being, Mohammed Ali Berawi, Mustika Sari, Perdana Miraj

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

In the wake of urbanization and environmental challenges, cities nowadays face multiple issues related to uncontrolled urban growth, insufficient public infrastructure, and inadequate citizen participation in the management of public affairs. Sustainable urban development cannot be achieved without addressing these challenges, necessitating a paradigm shift in urban space management. Therefore, urban development needs to shift traditional concepts and focus on incorporating smart and environmentally friendly practices that allow cities to adapt and implement intelligent solutions to meet the needs of their citizens while continuing to protect the environment.

To achieve sustainability, cities should prioritize a balance between economic activity, population …

A Novel Approach Using Integrated Greywater Treatment System Applying Net Zero Wastewater Concept For Sustainable Urban Communities, Mianda Khattab

Theses and Dissertations

We are blessed with endless resources that are naturally existing in our world and we fully rely-on without envisioning the bigger picture of what would happen if these resources came to an end, or how can we even ensure sustainable lives by regenerating or reusing or utilizing the naturally existing resources? The surrounding ecosystem, the land we live on, the air we breathe, the water we drink and use for cooking, laundry, shower, irrigation, and many other usages are examples of the resources that we, as global users, are taking for granted.

It is a common knowledge that we are …

The Role Of Nonprofit Housing Developers In Addressing The Affordable Housing Crisis: A Case Study Of Linc Housing, Joshua Broadhead

Construction Management

Nonprofit housing developers are playing a critical role in addressing the affordable housing crisis in society. However, they face significant challenges in the current housing landscape. To explore this topic, this project takes a case study approach, using Linc Housing as the primary case study to examine the impact of nonprofit housing developers on the affordable housing crisis and the challenges they face. The project involves a literature review to identify the impact nonprofits can have, key issues, and challenges faced by nonprofit housing developers in the current housing landscape. Additionally, data is collected on Linc Housing's affordable housing development …

Estimating The Impact Of Infill Housing On Reduction In Vehicle Miles Traveled, Peyton Marie Ratto

Master's Theses

Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and its relationship with the built environment has been extensively studied. Most notably, five D variables of the built environment including density, diversity, design, destination accessibility, and distance to transit are the key variables included in this research to explain VMT generation from housing developments. This thesis uses prior research that developed robust statistical models and findings to create a framework to estimate VMT reduction affected by infill housing developed using incentives provided by the state compared to a regional comparator. The regional comparator is typically a suburban single-family housing development in the region. The models …