Authors: Payton Bielawski; Brian Preiss; Rebekah Vernon; Nathan Kaplan; Alyssa Sousa
Advisors: Laura Roberts; Mohammed El Hamzaoui
Category: Undergraduate
Abstract/Description:
Morocco’s unique geography contributes to varying environmental conditions throughout the country, including problems with water scarcity, deforestation, and desertification. Working with Association Ribat Al-Fath, our team outlined a sustainable improvement plan for Moroccan public bathhouses, known as Hammams, to combat these national issues on a local level. A cultural tenant, the bathing ritual will never change; however, the sustainability of the institution must. Through extensive modeling, our team analyzed the different resource management systems in Hammams to produce a set of recommendations that not only mitigates the environmental impacts of the industry but also bolsters the Moroccan economy through the creation of new jobs and market sectors.