The Urban Energy Center project by Team Energy tackles toxic pollution in neighborhoods.

San Francisco prides itself as one of the world’s most environmentally conscious cities. However, low income and communities of color in the Bay Area’s “Toxic Triangle” face devastating environmental injustice as they bear the burden of pollution caused by the activity of oil refineries and the lingering effects of abandoned industrial plants and military defense facilities. Team Energy proposes building an Urban Energy Center on Treasure Island to address environmental issues found in the Toxic Triangle. Such a facility would promote energy research and education, unite three disparate communities fighting similar battles for positive change and serve as inspiration for victims of environmental injustice wherever they can be found.

Watch the project video.

This project is a response to GOOD Magazine’s design challenge to Academy of Art University students as part of its ongoing Design for Cities initiative. Each student team utilized the Living Principles framework and scorecard to guide and evaluate their efforts.

Team Energy: Tessa Fish

Course: Graphic Design & Sustainability (MFA)

Instructor: Phil Hamlett, Graduate Director, Academy of Art University School of Graphic Design

View related posts:

The Greenspot Initiative

The Greenhouse Cartel

The Urban Furnishings Project

Project Zero-Waste

The Urban Runnoff Project

Project Firefly