[Joyce Fong, Ari Bell, Shuai Yuan - Stabilizing Thawing Ground: Meltwater Management in Utqiaġvik, Alaska - COVER IMG] Stabilizing Thawing Ground - project proposes a multi-scalar watershed-based management plan to systemize meltwater management in response to Utqiagvik's needs ecologically and socially.
[Joyce Fong, Ari Bell, Shuai Yuan - Stabilizing Thawing Ground: Meltwater Management in Utqiaġvik, Alaska - IMG 1] [Joyce Fong, Ari Bell, Shuai Yuan - Stabilizing Thawing Ground: Meltwater Management in Utqiaġvik, Alaska - IMG 2] [Joyce Fong, Ari Bell, Shuai Yuan - Stabilizing Thawing Ground: Meltwater Management in Utqiaġvik, Alaska - IMG 3] [Joyce Fong, Ari Bell, Shuai Yuan - Stabilizing Thawing Ground: Meltwater Management in Utqiaġvik, Alaska - IMG 4] [Joyce Fong, Ari Bell, Shuai Yuan - Stabilizing Thawing Ground: Meltwater Management in Utqiaġvik, Alaska - IMG 5] [Joyce Fong, Ari Bell, Shuai Yuan - Stabilizing Thawing Ground: Meltwater Management in Utqiaġvik, Alaska - IMG 6] [Joyce Fong, Ari Bell, Shuai Yuan - Stabilizing Thawing Ground: Meltwater Management in Utqiaġvik, Alaska - IMG 7] [Joyce Fong, Ari Bell, Shuai Yuan - Stabilizing Thawing Ground: Meltwater Management in Utqiaġvik, Alaska - IMG 8] [Joyce Fong, Ari Bell, Shuai Yuan - Stabilizing Thawing Ground: Meltwater Management in Utqiaġvik, Alaska - IMG 9] [Joyce Fong, Ari Bell, Shuai Yuan - Stabilizing Thawing Ground: Meltwater Management in Utqiaġvik, Alaska - IMG 10] [Joyce Fong, Ari Bell, Shuai Yuan - Stabilizing Thawing Ground: Meltwater Management in Utqiaġvik, Alaska - IMG 11]

Stabilizing Thawing Ground: Meltwater Management in Utqiaġvik, Alaska

Project locationUtqiaġvik, Alaska
University/SchoolUniversity of Virginia
Lead ArchitectJoyce Fong, Ari Bell, Shuai Yuan

We aim to preserve Utqiaġvik's urban Arctic tundra landscape by mapping, managing, and designing with snow and meltwater. Situated on ice-rich permafrost, the area faces rapid warming, which risks destabilization. Snow depth and ground saturation affect heat transfer in shifting freeze-thaw cycle of active layer, so a holistic management is essential. By activating environmental phenomena and local expertise, proposal merges community insights with scientific site analysis. It develops maintenance-based methods, empowering residents with watershed management plan for effective drainage system.