Texas A&M Hosts TED-Style Event Highlighting Research in Sustainability and Public Health
Texas A&M University hosted an institution-wide event at the Rudder Exhibition Hall and Forum Theatre on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Scholars from the university represented topics on chemistry, engineering, urban planning, nuclear energy and healthcare.
There were eight different scholars that shared the impact of their research and implementation of their work by presenting it in a TED-style format. Two key themes were highlighted during the event: sustainability and public health.
Dr. Galen Newman, professor and head of the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning and a hazard reduction and recovery center faculty fellow, presented on the Galena Park project.
Before his presentation, Newman discussed the involvement of Texas Target Communities and the Texas A&M Superfund Center with the Galen Project. Researchers at Texas A&M University have secured funding from the Environmental Protection Agency to explore the impact of disasters on industrial facilities in Galena Park, located in Harris County.
“The growth plan for the city is based on green infrastructure to combat the pollution in the area. Our goal is to continue to monitor the infrastructure to see the positive impacts on the community,” said Newman.
Dr. Newman’s presentation, “From Fenceline to Defense-lines: Mitigating Flooding and Contamination in Galena Park, TX,” highlighted the crucial role of the Superfund Center in protecting this vulnerable community. By analyzing geospatial data, the center identified key areas at risk and provided in-depth insights to help mitigate the impact of flooding and contamination.
During his discussion, he illustrated the proximity of Galena Park to Houston. One of the green infrastructure initiatives the project is developing is a protective flood barrier and an industrial buffer. Newman also presented pieces of the master plan that would reduce flooding in the area with an infiltration system to support runoff water.
At the end of Newman’s lecture, he presented a video recorded in Galena Park that communicated the need for support in Galena Park. Watch the following video for more information.
