Proposal

Here is my research proposal. It will explain my topic of choice and give you an idea of where I want to go with my research.

Summary statement of proposed project

Water levels in the oceans and seas are continuing to rise, leading to many countries around the world losing valuable real estate along the shore line. This land can be saved by land reclamation. My project will focus on how do we best design housing on reclaimed land for countries that will be hardest hit by rising sea levels?

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to examine different types of projects around the world that have been build on reclaimed land and determine the best way to design housing on reclaimed land, as well as looking at the best way to reclaim the land so it is able to withstand the forces resulting from building houses, and forces resulting from ground water and settlement of the soils.

Goals and Objectives of the project

As issues of global warming continue to arise, reclamation of land is becoming more common. My goals are to examine the pros and cons of reclaimed land projects around the world and determine the best way to develop the land and buildings on the land. My goals and objectives include determining the best and most structurally stable land from reclamation, as well as how to design the buildings and housing on the land, with attention paid to the foundations.

Methodology and analytical approach

I will begin the project by looking at what exactly reclaimed land is, the types of reclaimed land such as land reclaimed from the ocean or an artificial island, followed by a brief history of projects and cities that have been designed on reclaimed land. Then, I will look at some reasons why land reclamation is necessary in different countries around the world, and how they have different strategies of developing the land. Next, I will take a more in-depth look at the land and the different components that make it up, and how these apply to the structural stability of the land. If they are not structurally sound, I will look at how the land can be developed so it is able to be built on, and the best way to do so. Last, I will look at how to design buildings and housing on reclaimed land, looking at such things as foundations, whether or not caissons or piles are needed, and settlement of the buildings on the land. I will conclude the best and most economical way to design housing on reclaimed land.

Previous studies

There have been many previous studies and projects around the world in the context of my proposed research project. With better technology, and problems of over population, projects on reclaimed land are booming in the Middle East and Japan. I plan on advancing the field by taking the most affective techniques from the many projects around the world and coming up with a new more effective way of designing on reclaimed land.
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Plans for dissemination of work

I plan to disseminate my work mainly through my colleagues and faculty members in class. I will give an oral presentation of my work to my classmates and faculty members which will aid in spreading my ideas and thoughts on the subject. The largest part in the dissemination of my work, however, will be in the form of a web blog. This will mainly spread my work to my classmates as they will be participating and giving ideas and advice on the project in the blog, but also has the opportunity to be read and reviewed by anyone in the world who is searching the world wide web for information on the topic of my work.