Sustainable Cities and Communities
Cities are home to over half of the world’s population and are estimated to be responsible for 75-per cent of global resource consumption and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. The complexity of our sustainability challenges require unparalleled collaboration and cooperation, no one individual institution, company or government can provide the solutions on their own. Through multi-sector collaboration and partnerships, the University of Calgary is pursuing pathways towards thriving, healthy, and climate resilient cities and communities.
Joanne Perdue
Associate Vice President, Sustainability
Haskayne capital expansion project
Sustainable design has been integral throughout planning and development of Mathison Hall. It has been constructed to target LEED Platinum certification. From the outset, the design of the building uses natural environmental influences in order to be among the most energy efficient buildings on campus.
Research
City-building research partnership positioned to catalyze downtown reinvention
The City of Calgary has invested $350,000 in UCalgary’s Civic Commons Catalyst to support downtown revitalization research and initiatives. This investment will support researchers as they focus on innovative solutions to transform both underutilized public and private space in Calgary’s downtown.
Urban Evolution
As populations grow, so do the pressures on cities and their residents. From neighbourhood design to dog parks, from innovation to immigration, scholars at UCalgary are studying every aspect of how our urban centres grow and evolve over time. Understanding the various roles played within a city can help to shape our decisions and the world around us.
Smart cities
Cities face unprecedented challenges resulting from population growth, migration, changing demographic structure, socio-economic polarization, uneven development and environmental stress. Therefore, researchers at UCalgary are exploring smart city design to creating livable and resilient cities that promote health, social equity, efficiency, connectivity, mobility, and public engagement.
Teaching, learning and student experience
Sustainable systems engineering bachelor’s degree
A new Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Systems Engineering will take a multidisciplinary approach to bring different engineering disciplines together to design, integrate and manage complex systems over their life cycles. The Schulich School of Engineering is hoping a new program will give students a greater appreciation for the “big picture.”
Geography and Urban Studies Field School
Through the lens of Geography and Urban Studies, students can broaden their understanding of sustainability by learning of approaches used in various Scandinavian countries. The focus is on regional sustainable development, sustainable urban design, urban planning and politics, housing, environmental problems and policies, conservation, and the significance of the historical development.
Bachelor of design in city innovation
In fall 2023, the first cohort of students will begin their bachelor of design in city innovation degree. This program applies a design-thinking lens and hands-on multidisciplinary approach to finding solutions to society’s most urgent challenges. It will give students the tools and skills necessary to create positive change in the built environment, and to address complex issues affecting cities.
Campus and community impact
Canada Environmental Stewardship Award
UCalgary's caretaking team has been recognized as the 2022 recipient of the ISSA Canada Environmental Stewardship Award. ISSA Canada — a division of the worldwide cleaning industry association — presents the award to Canadian facilities committed to environmental management and a dedication to the value of clean.
Sustainable buildings
As one of Canada's higher education leaders in supporting ecological and human health in built environments, all new UCalgary's buildings are LEED certified. This means that high performance green buildings and sustainable site practices are prioritized. From conserving water and energy to sourcing environmentally friendly materials, UCalgary is incorporating more sustainable development into its design and architecture.
Kids reimagine school streets
In collaboration with Sustainable Calgary, children from various Calgary schools, and UCalgary's Schulich School of Engineering students, school streets were redesigned. The aim is to increase safety and walkability by co-creating safe, comfortable and interesting routes to school, and empower kids to lower their carbon footprint by walking and biking for daily trips.
