Project Eco-Delta: Design for Coastal Cities

On August 29th, Van Alen Institute and Environmental Defense Fund will host a roundtable discussion at the Venice Biennale US Pavilion to explore the environmental challenges faced by coastal cities throughout the world. Titled Project Eco-Delta, the initiative is part of VAI and EDF’s ongoing collaboration in developing design strategies for the landscape surrounding New Orleans—the Mississippi River’s coastal delta. The forum will feature leading experts from the fields of design, engineering, public policy and environmental science, who will discuss innovative ways with which we can address the needs of fragile deltas and the communities living in them. Five years—to the day—of Hurricane Katrina, the roundtable discussion will be an opportunity to reconsider some of the fundamental problems of coastal cities. How can we design economic infrastructure that works with the forces of nature to revitalize coastal environments? Can environmental challenges be resolved within contexts of conflicting economic, social, political, and cultural interests? Can coastal cities be re-thought, and re-engineered, as sustainable environmental systems? Confirmed Speakers (Bios next page): Stephane Asselin (AECOM), Maria Teresa Brotto (Consorzio Venezia Nuova), Stephen Cassell (ARO), Piet Dircke (ARCADIS), Paul Harrison (Environmental Defense Fund), Padraic Kelly (Buro Happold), Olympia Kazi (Van Alen Institute), Carlo Magnani (IUAV), Denise Reed (UNO), Dirk Sijmons (H+N+S Landscape Architects), Bregje van Wesenbeeck (Deltares), David Waggonner (Waggonner & Ball Architects), David Wilkes (Ove Arup). About Van Alen Institute: Projects in Public Architecture Van Alen Institute promotes innovative thinking about the role of architecture and design in civic life. Among VAI’s activities are design competitions, lectures and symposia, exhibitions, publications, research and advocacy. VAI’s programs engage a broad constituency of people in New York City, the nation, and around the world who participate in shaping the designed environment, from architecture students to emerging and established professionals to the interested public. www.vanalen.org. About Environmental Defense Fund Environmental Defense Fund is a leading U.S. nonprofit organization representing more than 700,000 members. Since 1967, EDF has linked science, economics and law to create innovative, equitable and cost-effective solutions to society's most urgent environmental problems. Guided by science, EDF evaluates environmental problems and works to create and advocate solutions that win lasting political, economic and social support because they are nonpartisan, cost-efficient and fair. www.edf.org. About the US Pavilion Workshopping: An American Model of Architectural Practice is the official U.S. representation at the 12th Venice Architecture Biennale. The exhibition has been organized by the High Museum of Art and 306090, and is presented by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. Curated by Michael Rooks and Jonathan D. Solomon. www.workshopping.us.