| 19. Engineering for People Design Challenge: Makers Valley | |
|---|---|
Offered by | IE&IS and ME |
Available in timeslot | C or D |
Target student major | All majors |
Preferred entrance knowledge / skills |
|
Student capacity | 300 |
Group size | 6 |
Contact person | Tijn Borghuis, v.a.j.borghuis@tue.nl |
Project description
This project centers around Makers Valley, a cluster of vibrant yet economically disadvantaged suburbs on the eastern edge of Johannesburg, South Africa. Home to around 46,000 residents, Makers Valley has experienced urban decay and high unemployment, but recent years have seen a wave of regeneration driven by social and creative enterprises.
This design challenge invites students to develop engineering solutions that contribute to the sustainable development of this dynamic community. Among the challenge areas that solutions can address are the general built environment, food security, reliable access to energy, waste reduction and recycling, the supply of safe drinking water, sanitation and mobility and access to transport infrastructure.
The challenge is offered by Engineers Without Borders (EWB) UK and South Africa in collaboration with Makers Valley Partnership. By taking on this challenge you will join thousands of university students from across the world taking part in this “Engineering for People” initiative. Over 80,000 students have participated since 2011, tackling a different design brief context each year.
Within the design brief you’ll find information about Makers Valley, each of the eight challenge areas, as well as case studies of the people living and working in the local area. The challenges described are real issues in Makers Valley. The opportunities for improvement are identified by people living there, who have offered their perspectives to help form this design brief and enhance your educational experience and cultural understanding.
