Incorporation of Recovery Planning into a Student Design Course Following a Tornado

Abstract

The City of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, developed a strategic citywide plan for renewal and rebuilding in response to the devastating effects of a direct tornado hit on April 27, 2011. In addition to causing significant personal injury and loss of life, the tornado completely destroyed facilities and residences spanning 6.5 square miles, representing 12% of the city’s total square area. The city engaged in an inclusive, multidisciplinary planning process to address land use, housing, sustainability, infrastructure, and public facilities. Areas of focus in planning included a greenway path for revitalization, connected model neighborhoods, village centers, coordinated facilities, and integrated public functions. University engineering and business students participated by forming multidisciplinary teams tasked with the challenge of resolving particular issues within the city’s proposed plan as part of their senior design studio experience. These students had the unique experience of working directly with city officials and private consultants to resolve complex urban and engineering problems. This paper summarizes the experiences and lessons learned from this unique partnership with the city and provides guidance for other university programs that may wish to enrich the educational process similarly, even in a noncrisis environment.