Better World Challenge 2011 Finalists and Winners

Video production courtesy of ReNewableNow.tv
Cameraman/video editor: PAUL ERICKSON
Text by DAVE FISHER/ecoRI News staff

PROVIDENCE — The fourth annual "A Better World by Design" conference was held Sept. 30-Oct. 2 on the campuses of the Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University. Overwhelming response had this year's conference bursting at the seams with designers, engineers, planners and students who, through solid design and engineering principles, are advocating for a cleaner, greener future for Rhode Island and the world.

This year's challenge was again a tall order to fill.

As sea levels rise and climates change, coastal regions must now confront the challenge of preserving their culture and community in the face of increasing threats from coastal erosion, flooding and other natural disasters. The challenge: How do you build a better coastline?

A small community in southern Rhode Island, Matunuck, boasts the best of coastal life: beauty, seafood and beaches. However, the town simultaneously faces rapid coastal erosion and the potential for catastrophic weather events.

A Better World By Design worked with Save The Bay in encouraging students to re-imagine this community and plan for long-term sustainable solutions that go beyond traditional protective structures.

In this video piece, we bring you the coordinator, finalists and winners of this year's challenge.