Stevens Institute of Technology
IN-47: Innovation A

One example from the 2022-23 academic year, is the impact on the proposed design for the redevelopment of 1300 Jefferson, Hoboken, NJ (Block 112). A site within the AE Flood Zone which is currently 99% impervious and drains to a combined sewer system. The proposed design integrates sustainable water retention and flood proofing measures and is being supported by professionals at Pegasus Partners, and Langan Engineering.

All aspects of the proposed redevelopment of 1300 Jefferson must be in accordance with both Hoboken’s Western Edge Redevelopment Plan and the Rebuild by Design. The proposed design focused on 3 UN SDGs, 1 direct Goal #11 - Sustainable cities and communities, and 2 indirect, Goal #9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure and Goal #13 – Climate action. The Envision rating system was the tool used to measure the effectiveness of the proposed design elements which focused on the implementation of green infrastructure technologies to achieve zero runoff for the 10-year storm and floodproofing of the first floor to a minimum height of 9ft 4inches (14ft NAVD 88). Various green infrastructure technologies were proposed within the design including permeable pavement areas within the perimeter sidewalk, bioretention planters, rain gardens, tree pits, green roofs, and cisterns. The combination of green infrastructure was required to retain the 10-year storm for a minimum period of 72-hours and address water quality standards prior to a controlled release into a new stormwater line adjacent to the site and then onto the North Hudson treatment plant. The proposed design will be optimized to ensure that the three pillars of sustainability are addressed: economy, society and environment, while achieving the highest verification level of the Envision rating system.

https://www.hobokennj.gov/resources/western-edge-redevelopment-plan

https://sustainableinfrastructure.org/envision/overview-of-envision/

Course wide assessment of how students implemented sustainability using the UN SDG’s and the Envision rating system into the capstone design was the focus of a 2021 Master Thesis in Sustainable Management. This work was presented at the 2021 ASEE Annual Conference.
https://strategy.asee.org/assessing-the-sustainability-components-of-engineering-capstone-projects