Govan Community Project is a community-based organisation working in south-west Glasgow to achieve social justice in the Greater Govan area by building a strong community based on equality, mutual respect, support, and integration. They were founded as a community response to the needs of people seeking asylum in Glasgow. Today, they support the communities in the Greater Govan area and refugees and people seeking asylum all over Glasgow.
The competition brief considers the engineering challenges and opportunities found in Govan, an area with a rich history, heritage and physical landscape situated on the waterfront of the River Clyde in the south-west of Glasgow, Scotland.
Now in its 12th year, the Design Challenge has reached over 60,000 undergraduate students across Cameroon, South Africa, UK, Ireland and the USA to date. The 2022/23 Challenge will be delivered to over 40 institutions in Cameroon, Ireland, South Africa, UK, and USA.
Educators from each institution will review their students’ submissions with the top five from each university going forward to be judged by industry volunteers. The top teams will then be invited to present their solutions at the Grand Finals in a bid to win the Grand Prize of an educational bursary. The runner-up and the People’s Prize winners will also receive an educational bursary to share between them.
Traci Kirkland, Head of Charity of Govan Community Project, said: “Students will have the opportunity to learn about how the historical significance of shipbuilding has shaped Govan today, the experiences of refugees and people seeking asylum within the Govan community, and the importance and strength of community to people living in the Govan area.
“Opportunities for developments in and around Govan open up aspirations for environmental resilience and economical and societal regeneration.”
There are eight challenge areas:
• Built environment: This includes all human-made physical spaces where we live, work and enjoy leisure activities
• Food security: This occurs when all people have access to sufficient, safe, culturally appropriate and nutritious food that meets their requirements for an active and healthy life, and in a way that the planet can sustain into the future
• Energy: Reliable access to energy, in particular electricity, often reduces the time people spend on everyday tasks
• Waste: It is vital to address and responsibly manage our shared resources through reducing, recycling and reducing waste, to prevent environmental damage, health risks and the development of unsightly and undesirable areas
• Water supply: Reliable supply of clean and safe drinking water supply is essential for people to lead healthy lives
• Sanitation: This involves the safe management, treatment and eventual safe end use or disposal of water that is contaminated, to prevent potential health problems
• Transport: Mobility and access to transport infrastructure allow people and goods to move around freely
• Digitalisation: Whilst many people benefit hugely from modern digital advances in information communications, some of us have not had the same opportunities
Emma Crichton, Head of Engineering at Engineers Without Borders UK, said: “By investigating the different Challenge Areas, students will be encouraged to consider the impacts of de-industrialisation, physical and economic decline, ongoing social issues, and the challenges of integration for those arriving in Govan from around the world; all while noting the link between engineering design and supporting people’s ability to thrive, celebrate diversity and be an active part of their community.”
To find out how to get involved with Engineering for People Design Challenge 2022/3, visit www.engineering-for-people.org.