The resources contained on this page were produced by graduate students enrolled in a studio course at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. The course was taught by PPI Executive Director, Josie Faass, in the Fall Term of 2025.

Like any studio class, this one was structured around the needs of real world clients – in this case, Un Nuevo Amanacer, Inc. and Centros Sor Isolina Ferré, two community development-focused nonprofits in Playa de Ponce, Puerto Rico. The students focused their work on addressing the community’s vulnerabilities, including an aging population, fragile electrical and sewer infrastructures, and susceptibility to climate impacts (such as hurricanes, high heat days, and flooding).

The studio’s work products are contained here and free to use with proper acknowledgement. They include an ESRI story map, interactive GIS tool for mapping abandoned sites in Playa, research report to inform the construction of a local climate resilience hub and solar-powered electrical coop, and LinkTree featuring resources to support the mental health of climate advocates and crisis responders.