Abstract
When universities expand, they do not just build new facilities; they fundamentally change the relationship they hold with their surrounding community. The E.A Hernandez IDEA Factory is a 61000 ft engineering building erected on the University of Maryland's campus. It serves to further engineering research and understanding in an environment that fosters communication. My capstone project involved group acting as a design-build engineering firm and developing a technically sound, cost-effective, and innovative design that fits within the complex environmental parameters present in the area. My STS paper sought to understand how current US tax policy encourages this expansion and how this expansion fundamentally changes the social and economic relationship between a university and the surrounding population through actor network theory. Universities are constantly expanding in the name of bettering the university and expanding human knowledge; however, little regard is often given to the localized socio-economic impact of such expansion. If we seek to maintain positive long-term relationships between universities and the surrounding areas, we must holistically examine the impact of a new university building.
The University of Maryland received a large donation earmarked for the creation of a new engineering building that would foster collaboration and innovation. Its physical design would serve as a new focal point for the engineering school, and the grounds surrounding it serve as an outdoor gathering place for students. As the design-build engineers, my team utilized SAP2000 for structural analysis, Civil3D for site grading, drainage, and stormwater design, and Python modeling for groundwater conditions. We further worked on creating a project cost analysis utilizing Excel models and a scheduling design utilizing Primavera P6. By utilizing different engineering software, my team was able to approach the problem holistically and present a comprehensive design that prioritizes building longevity, safety, and constructability.
My team created a response to an RFP that included a final foundation system and shoring and bracing system, so that excess noise pollution does not occur and that costs are minimized. A temporary and permanent dewatering system was developed to ensure that the solid surrounding the building system remains structurally sound during and after construction. A site development plan was created to best handle stormwater flow while creating an inviting place for students to congregate. Lastly, a complex cost and schedule were created so that the final project could be developed both on time and on budget.
My STS paper investigated how university expansion influences the development of localized economic inequalities and social division. Universities are privy to many federal, state, and local tax benefits that encourage them to continually expand. Universities act as major economic drivers in a region and employ thousands, which gives them an outsized impact on community development. To better understand this impact, a review and analysis of multiple journal articles was conducted, and the findings were then applied to two case studies.
Evidence from both the case studies and the journal review shows that university expansion often leads to increased property values, displacement of residents, and the development of a K-shaped economy. It illustrated that expansion is driven not just by institutional needs but by financial incentives. However, it also found that local residents do not fear expansion but fear unchecked expansion. They want to have a say in how a university expands. Further, they want to see equitable policies and stronger partnerships developed between universities, towns, and residents. These findings demonstrate that, as engineers, we need to consider the entire network of actors when designing a new building and not just consider the wants and desires of the direct client.
