Date : 19 November
Time : 5-6:30 pm
Venue : 10 Stephens Hall/ Institute of South Asian Studies
Architect Anu Mridul’s practice has been focused on reviving and modernizing traditional water architecture, especially stepwells and step-ponds, to address the growing freshwater challenges in the region.
Stepwells, or Bawaris and Vavs, were crucial to Indian communities from the 2nd century until the late 19th century. However, they were largely replaced by canals and piped water systems and fell into disuse.
Today, it is essential to revisit and update these ancient water systems.
Mridul and his team are working on restoring old, neglected water bodies and designing new structures like the Birkha Bawari, a stepwell-inspired underground reservoir in Jodhpur that can hold over 17.5 million liters of rainwater. Constructed from local sandstone, it demonstrates that large water-saving structures are both feasible and cost-effective.
Join us as he talks about his efforts to revive traditional water systems using the Birkha Bawari as a model for innovative and sustainable water management.
Event moderated by Sugata Ray, Associate Professor, South and Southeast Asian Art, History of Art Department at UC Berkeley.
SPEAKER BIO
Anu Mridul is a Jodhpur-based architect whose practice emphasizes integrating cultural heritage, contemporizing traditional practices to make them timeless and relevant to current generations. He is passionate about the ancient water heritage of India and has been campaigning for its regeneration, mainstreaming and replication.
Author: riverlab
The San Francisco Bay Regional Board’s Watershed Management Division has an
opening for an Environmental Scientist in the streams and wetlands program. The
position involves writing permits for work in and around streams, wetlands, and SF Bay
under Clean Water Act Section 401 and the Porter-Cologne Act. Apply by 11/13/2024
For further information::
https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=455097
The San Francisco Bay Regional Board’s Watershed Management Division has an
opening for an Environmental Scientist in the streams and wetlands program. The
position involves writing permits for work in and around streams, wetlands, and SF Bay
under Clean Water Act Section 401 and the Porter-Cologne Act. Apply by 11/13/2024
For further information::
https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=455097
Over 30 participants joined the shortcourse Geomorphic and Ecological Fundamentals of River Restoration at Sagehen Ck Field Station near Lake Tahoe in August. Weather conditions were ideal, and participants got wet wading in Sagehen Creek and swimming in Lake Tahoe. They saw a wide range of completed projects as well as sites slated for restoration, and made proposals for most effective restoration approaches. Each evening participants enjoyed discussion of the day’s adventures followed by a gourmet meal in plein air. Next year’s shortcourse is set for 18-22 August. Registration opens in January.
Reporting to the Urban Watershed Planning Division Manager, this 5602 Flood Resilience Planner will research, develop, and implement policies, plans, programs, and projects to make San Francisco more flood resilient. With supervision and support, this position will convene and lead city-wide flood resilience planning efforts; participate in and represent SFPUC in multi-agency flood resilience efforts led by other city agencies, such as the Waterfront Resilience Program and ClimateSF; work in multi-disciplinary, multi-agency teams on envisioning a flood resilient public realm; and coordinate with teammates from across the SFPUC to align strategy and messaging across SFPUC’s flood resilience efforts, including StormWatch, RainReadySF, capital projects, watershed planning and green infrastructure, and regulatory compliance.
More information here.
With supervision from the Green Infrastructure Capital Planning & Grants Manager, this Utility Specialist will be responsible for watershed planning, green infrastructure (GI) opportunity assessments, and partnership development focused on San Francisco’s Bayside Watersheds. The position will conduct agency-specific outreach presentations and workshops with partners at SFUSD, MTA, and RecPark; find alignment on project goals with multiple partners; complete regular assessments to identify spatial and funding alignment of SFPUC project opportunities with project opportunities being pursued by others; identify maintenance roles and responsibilities among partners; and develop and execute MOUs and other required contracts in partnership with SFPUC Infrastructure division and city agency partners.
More information here.
With supervision from the Urban Watershed Planning Division Manager, this Utility Specialist will serve as Program Manager for the Floodwater Grant Program, administering a budget of up to $1.5M annually. The position will lead the Floodwater Grant Program team, which consists of two engineers and one administrative analyst, while closely collaborating with colleagues across various SFPUC divisions, bureaus, the City Attorney’s Office, and other city agencies. This coordination aims to ensure successful grant administration and clear communication with both the general public and specific Floodwater Grant Program grantees. Regular program updates and improvements will fall under this position, as well as coordination and alignment with process improvements and innovations taking place in other grant programs across the division.
More information here.
Miao Wang, Associate Professor, Tianjin University
Frank Yao, PhD candidate UC Berkeley
Tuesday 23 April, 2-3pm, Rm 315D Bauer Wurster Hall
This Riverlab seminar is about a canal, a man-made river that is longer than most natural rivers. With its long and layered history, the Grand Canal is now undergoing revitalization as a centerpiece of the cities through which it flows. In this seminar, two scholars look at the role of the river (current and potential) in Hangzhou and Tianjin.
Wang Miao is an Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at School of Architecture, Tianjin University. Her main research field includes Regional cultural heritages, Environmental protection and Regeneration, Big Data Analytics for landscape. She also teaches design studios deling with landscape architecture and cultural heritage protection.
Frank Yao is a PhD student in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at UC Berkeley.