Project 1
Sustainable System in a City
(Focusing on Natural Disaster Mitigation)
Design Process
In a group of five, we were tasked with selecting two North American cities with similar population sizes but contrasting sustainability rankings to conduct a comparative study on sustainable urban resilience. We chose Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as a lower-ranked sustainable city, and Seattle, Washington, as a higher-ranked sustainable city. The aim of the study was to discuss, compare, and appraise the existing tangible and intangible urban resilience systems in both cities, focusing on renewable energy use, efficiency in water and electricity consumption, green spaces, waste management and recycling systems, as well as economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The analysis was framed using sustainable urban resilience theories and infrastructure typologies, including red, blue, green, and grey infrastructure.
Our group carried out extensive secondary research using government reports, sustainability frameworks, and urban planning literature to evaluate the sustainable performance of both cities. The comparison examined how each city supports economic sustainability through growth and productivity, social sustainability through equity, accessibility, participation, and cultural identity, and environmental sustainability through ecosystem integrity, carrying capacity, and biodiversity. By reviewing these elements within the established strategic frameworks, we were able to identify key strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in each city’s approach to sustainable urban development.
My role in the project focused on researching and documenting the environmental and infrastructural resilience strategies of Milwaukee and Seattle. I organised the findings into clear comparative diagrams, tables, and concise narratives to support the final evaluation. This analysis informed our group’s recommendations, which drew from Seattle’s existing sustainable practices to propose context-sensitive strategies for improving Milwaukee’s urban resilience in line with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, addressing both current challenges and future sustainability goals.
Presentation Slides
Self-Reflection
Throughout Project 1, I developed a deeper understanding of sustainable urban resilience by analysing and comparing two North American cities with contrasting sustainability rankings, Milwaukee and Seattle. This project enhanced my knowledge of how tangible and intangible urban systems—such as renewable energy use, water and energy efficiency, green infrastructure, waste management, and socio-economic frameworks—contribute to the overall sustainability and resilience of a city. By applying sustainable urban theories and evaluating red, blue, green, and grey infrastructure, I was able to critically assess how urban strategies influence environmental quality, social well-being, and economic performance.
The project also strengthened my ability to synthesise complex information and communicate it effectively. My role in researching and documenting environmental and infrastructural resilience strategies required me to analyse data from multiple credible sources and organise the findings into clear comparisons, diagrams, and structured narratives. Preparing this content for our group deliverables improved my skills in critical thinking, data organisation, and visual communication, while collaborative discussions with my teammates enhanced the learning process through shared insights and problem-solving.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Siti Norzaini for her guidance throughout the project. Her constructive feedback, clear direction, and thoughtful insights helped us refine our analysis, address challenges systematically, and maintain a critical approach to sustainable urban development. Her support played a significant role in strengthening our understanding and confidence, contributing greatly to the successful completion of this project.