A Transformative Summer Experience: Working on an Urban Design Proposal for the City of Houston
As a Fulbright Student from Marrakesh, Morocco, who is in the second year of my Master of Landscape Architecture at Texas A&M University, I have been fortunate to engage in an extraordinary summer experience that has profoundly influenced my professional and personal development. My role as a Fulbright Student has significantly broadened my perspective and introduced me to a vibrant community of individuals dedicated to cultural exchange and professional growth.
A highlight of my summer was participating in the prestigious SWA Summer Internship Program in Houston, Texas. SWA is a globally recognized leader in landscape architecture, urban design, and planning, known for its innovative approach and significant impact on the industry both in the United States and internationally. Each year, SWA selects a cohort of students from various universities across the United States to partake in an intensive eight-week program that addresses critical design challenges.
The 2024 internship focused on the urgent issue of excessive heat in urban environments, with a specific emphasis on downtown Houston. The objective of our internship was to come up with a comprehensive plan for downtown Houston aimed at alleviating the effects of extreme heat. This entailed enhancing open spaces, integrating climate adaptation strategies, and improving social infrastructure to create a revitalized and cooler urban environment. The final task was a cohesive design proposal integrating all the elements.
The culmination of our efforts was showcased in a final presentation and exhibition held on July 27, 2024. This event provided us with the platform to present our design strategies and conceptual ideas to a diverse audience. Our presentation included detailed master plans, axonometric views, 3D perspective images, and interactive toolkits meticulously crafted to bring our proposals to life.
One of the primary challenges we faced was rethinking the public realm in the context of overheated urban environments to foster dynamic and engaging social interactions.
Our solution was the “Cool Loop,” a design concept for downtown Houston featuring a walkable and bikeable corridor. The Cool Loop was envisioned as a vibrant space with numerous attractions, activated districts, and strategically placed cooling stations. This design aimed to enhance comfort and usability while promoting sustainable climate adaptation measures throughout the area. The presentation was a resounding success, capturing the attention and enthusiasm of a large audience. The interactive toolkit component was particularly well-received, allowing attendees to place flags on a map to visualize and engage with our design proposals. Additionally, videos featuring interviews with residents provided valuable personal insights into the community’s perspective of downtown Houston, adding a compelling and relatable dimension to our presentation. This combination of interactive elements and firsthand feedback from the community effectively highlighted the relevance and potential impact of our proposed design strategies.
Feedback from the SWA staff was overwhelmingly positive. They praised my diligence and contributions, particularly my role in conducting public and stakeholder presentations, as well as my part in designing interactive and innovative toolkits that engaged a broad audience. This internship provided me with invaluable experience working on larger urban scales, conducting data analysis, and engaging in field surveys with residents.
While my academic coursework had already equipped me with technical skills, the opportunity to present and interact with a wider audience was a transformative experience that significantly enhanced my public speaking and presentation abilities. The internship also helped me develop a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in urban design and climate adaptation. Working on a real-world project with a focus on mitigating excessive heat exposed me to practical challenges and innovative solutions that are critical for addressing contemporary urban issues. The experience of collaborating with a diverse team and presenting our work to professionals and stakeholders was instrumental in honing my skills and building my confidence.
I am profoundly grateful to Fulbright for providing me with this exceptional opportunity. Being accepted into such a prestigious program was a significant achievement, and the experience has greatly enriched my portfolio and resume. The skills and knowledge I gained during the internship will undoubtedly benefit my future career in landscape architecture. As I look ahead, I am eager to apply the new techniques and insights I acquired to my upcoming projects and professional endeavors. This summer experience has been a pivotal moment in my journey, underscoring the profound impact that meaningful opportunities and professional exposure can have on one’s career trajectory.
Wafa is a Fulbright Student from Morocco. She is pursuing a Master of Landscape Architecture at Texas A&M University.
