University of Oklahoma Herb Greene Teaching Fellow Rene Peralta was recently named a finalist in the University of California San Diego’s (UCSD) Border Innovation Challenge. The competition’s final presentations took place on December 1st, 2020. Peralta’s proposal entitled “Tijuana Solar River” received the “Audience Choice” award.
The Border Innovation Challenge, now in its second year, is a business plan competition focused on the challenges presented by the international border. This competition focuses on bringing to the spotlight promising solutions and technologies to meet the efficiency and security challenges of the regions ports of entry among others. Supported by the Smart Border Coalition, the program is presented through a partnership of the Rady School of Management and the Jacobs School of Engineering.
Tijuana Solar River conceptual image, Rene Peralta
Peralta’s proposal, entitled “Tijuana Solar River,” focuses on revitalizing the Tijuana River Channel as a solar power farm and binational water remediation infrastructure. In doing so, it aims to bring access to the river canal back to Tijuana communities by engaging pedestrians and public spaces along an 11-mile channel.
Gibbs College of Architecture is proud to recognize Petya Stefanoff, who is pursuing her doctorate in the Planning, Design & Construction (PDC) program, has been appointed the new role of Director of Community Development for the City of Shawnee, Oklahoma. She joined the city in 2024.
Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Amber N. Wiley, Ph.D., associate professor in the Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture and Design and director of the Institute for Quality Communities, has received national recognition for her book Model Schools in the Model City. The book has been named a finalist for the 2026 the PROSE Awards.
Gibbs College of Architecture Regional + City Planning Professor of Practice Vanessa Morrison and Associate Professor of Architecture Deborah Richards’ Open Design Collective received top honors at the inaugural BlackSpace Urbanist Collective Studio KIN Pitch Night Competition, held last month in Brooklyn, New York City.
