Texas, États-Unis
Area: Port Arthur, coastal Texas, USA
Problem
Port Arthur, a coastal city in Texas, is repeatedly affected by hurricanes and severe flooding, disproportionately impacting low-income, minority populations, primarily African American and Hispanic communities. These populations face persistent challenges in post-disaster recovery, often lacking resilient housing solutions that meet both urgent and long-term needs. Climate change and sea-level rise continue to increase these risks, threatening housing security and equitable recovery.
General objective
The Texas Living Lab aims to co-develop and field-test participatory models for post-disaster recovery focused on sustainable, rapidly deployable, and resilient housing solutions. Through collaboration with vulnerable communities, the Lab will refine modular housing approaches and engage in inclusive co-design processes that address both environmental sustainability and social equity. The objective is to strengthen preparedness and accelerate fair rebuilding in climate-affected Gulf Coast regions.
Team info
Professors
Engineering and Materials
- Freja Nygaard Rasmussen
Social Sciences
- Jaimie Hicks Masterson
- Jeewasmi Thapa
Architecture & Regenerative Design
- Manish Kumar Dixit
- Aoife Houlihan Wiberg
Local collaborators - Community
President and CEO of Charity Productions
Representative from Habitat for Humanity of Jefferson County