In this feature, I dive into my research as a structural engineer and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Miami. We explore the critical need to bridge technical engineering with the social sciences to build climate-resilient solutions that are genuinely community-driven. Too often, engineering treats community involvement as an afterthought, but I advocate for putting participatory thinking at the forefront of every design.
We also touched on the ethical use of AI and machine learning to identify and protect underrepresented historic sites, such as those connected to the Saltwater Underground Railroad. By collaborating directly with the people to whom these sites belong, we can bring these vital stories to light while ensuring their history is never commodified or exploited.
You can watch the full Beyond Vizcaya video feature here as well as below
For a deeper dive into this topic, you can also listen to my recent podcast interview on Tangible Remnants (Episode 73: Resilience for Cultural Landscapes), where we discuss adaptive reuse, reciprocal engineering, and the emotional realities of community preservation work