Final Post
Apr 5th, 2013 by dwaine
Now that all work for VCHT is done, and all of the project deliverables have been completed, it’s time to sum up what we’ve done over the past three months.
The main objective of this project was to gather data regarding the seismic safety of unreinforced masonry buildings in downtown Victoria, particularly around Market Square. To achieve this, the team spent two full days in Victoria performing exterior inspection surveys of around 50 buildings. Also we were allowed interior and rooftop access to roughly a dozen buildings for more detailed surveys. We compiled all the data into a single spreadsheet and gave it to a group of UBC Geography students who mapped the information in Victoria’s GIS system.
VHCT plans on using the information we’ve gathered to inform their decisions on how to allot funds for building restorations and retrofits. Also, the City of Victoria plans on using the data to plan emergency response in the event of an earthquake, and a UBC MASc. student will the information as part of his thesis.
This project was an important lesson for all those involved in the responsibility of an engineer to the public, and in project management. Other than the technical details of masonry buildings, much was learned about project management while planning and budgeting the two trips to Victoria, and in collaborating with the multiple parties involved in the project.
Poster Project Deliverable
Hi Team,
Congratulations on completing this fascinating and worthwhile project!
In the last sentence of this blog, you mention learning a lot about project management and collaboration. It would have been interesting if you had explained what it is you learned. For example, how did the context of this project influence the decisions you made? Would the collaborative experience been different if the topic had not been seismic assessment? Would your motivation to participate have been different? What exactly did you learn about collaboration? i.e., what will you do similarly and differently the next time you work on a team project?
You have been a strong team. Congratulations again on completing this fine work.
Sincerely,
Susan Nesbit