SS71 - Color of Concrete
SCURS Disciplines
Fine Arts
Document Type
General Poster
Invited Presentation Choice
Not Applicable
Abstract
Color of Concrete is a visual and conceptual exploration of sustainable development through the comparison of two contrasting environments: the dense biodiversity of Costa Rica and the expanding development landscape of Spartanburg, South Carolina. This immersive poster presentation examines the tension between ecological preservation and industrial growth, asking whether development must come at the expense of environmental integrity.
Costa Rica, recognized globally as a hub of biodiversity and conservation policy, serves as a model for how ecosystems can be protected while maintaining national progress. Its dense jungles, layered habitats, and intentional environmental policies demonstrate that sustainability is not an abstract ideal but a practiced reality. In contrast, Spartanburg reflects a rapidly developing region where expanding infrastructure, cleared land, and industrial growth represent the economic priorities shaping many American communities.
Through a curated sequence of photographic work and spatial analysis, this project compares the visual, ecological, and structural differences between these two regions. The progression from vibrant, biodiverse landscapes to increasingly industrialized spaces illustrates a broader global trajectory of environmental transformation. However, this comparison does not frame industrialization as inevitable. Instead, it highlights that direction is shaped by policy, planning, and collective choice.
By contrasting Costa Rica’s conservation-driven model with patterns of land use and development in Spartanburg, this poster presentation invites discussion about the practical possibilities of sustainable development at local and global scales. The central question remains: if biodiversity and economic growth can coexist in one context, what prevents similar balance in another? Ultimately, the project argues that sustainability is not a matter of capability, but of intention.
Keywords
photography, sustainable development, biodiversity, industrialization, Costa Rica
Start Date
10-4-2026 9:30 AM
Location
University Readiness Center Greatroom
End Date
10-4-2026 11:30 AM
SS71 - Color of Concrete
University Readiness Center Greatroom
Color of Concrete is a visual and conceptual exploration of sustainable development through the comparison of two contrasting environments: the dense biodiversity of Costa Rica and the expanding development landscape of Spartanburg, South Carolina. This immersive poster presentation examines the tension between ecological preservation and industrial growth, asking whether development must come at the expense of environmental integrity.
Costa Rica, recognized globally as a hub of biodiversity and conservation policy, serves as a model for how ecosystems can be protected while maintaining national progress. Its dense jungles, layered habitats, and intentional environmental policies demonstrate that sustainability is not an abstract ideal but a practiced reality. In contrast, Spartanburg reflects a rapidly developing region where expanding infrastructure, cleared land, and industrial growth represent the economic priorities shaping many American communities.
Through a curated sequence of photographic work and spatial analysis, this project compares the visual, ecological, and structural differences between these two regions. The progression from vibrant, biodiverse landscapes to increasingly industrialized spaces illustrates a broader global trajectory of environmental transformation. However, this comparison does not frame industrialization as inevitable. Instead, it highlights that direction is shaped by policy, planning, and collective choice.
By contrasting Costa Rica’s conservation-driven model with patterns of land use and development in Spartanburg, this poster presentation invites discussion about the practical possibilities of sustainable development at local and global scales. The central question remains: if biodiversity and economic growth can coexist in one context, what prevents similar balance in another? Ultimately, the project argues that sustainability is not a matter of capability, but of intention.