Sustainability Scholars Program

This project examines the impact of design and social programming in sociability of multi-unit housing through a case study of friendly buildings in Vancouver. Our study of 17 multi-unit buildings that were identified as friendly by their residents showed that a combination of design and programming factors are needed to achieve social connectedness among neighbours. 

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: healthy city, social sustainability

This study is a preliminary attempt to understand the role that small food grocers play in neighbourhood food access. The goal of the project was to develop a typology of grocery stores in the context of the City of Vancouver, to understand resident perceptions of how small grocers contribute to providing healthy, affordable and culturally-appropriate food, and to understand the potential implications of store closures on resident food access.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: local food, food systems, social sustainability

This framework is a guide for evaluating and monitoring area planning and the resulting development in the City of Vancouver. The evaluation framework provides the City and community with a greater understanding of the pace and alignment of development with community-based City principles and goals. Its purpose is to provide a holistic look at area planning programs, using city-wide goals and targets.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: healthy city, sustainable development & green economy

The purpose of this project was to explore the influence of campus environments (social, physical, financial, organizational, cultural, spiritual, academic, historical, policy, etc.) on the mental wellbeing of students, staff, and faculty, and to identify system-level strategies for enhancing mental wellbeing. An additional objective for VOICE 4 was to develop a process and framework for policy identification and analysis, and to pilot its use. 

Partner: UBCO: Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention
Keywords: sustainability in education, social sustainability

Graduate students’ relationships with their supervisors and their larger scholarly community at UBC are central to their academic progress, their student experiences, their potential as future scholars, and their overall wellbeing. The goal of this project was to understand the relationship between wellbeing and excellence in the graduate supervision context, identify current challenges to wellbeing within the context of graduate supervision, highlight key resources, professional development opportunities and potential pathway(s) of support, and share preliminary recommendations.

Partner: UBC Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Keywords: sustainability in education, social sustainability

 SocialSport is an organization that connects newcomer families to sport and leisure programs for their children. The purpose of this project was to develop an evaluation framework for SocialSport.  The first phase involved conducting a literature review of the evaluation tools that were used in measuring integration for immigrants and refugees. The second phase involved conducting a literature review of the impact of participation in sports on the inclusion and integration of immigrants and refugees.

Partner: School of Kinesiology
Keywords: social sustainability

Resident urban Canada Geese were introduced into Metro Vancouver in the 1970s and have thrived in the urban environment. Vancouver and many other municipalities in North America are seeking ways to manage their Canada Geese populations, navigating complex political decisions trying to understand goose behaviours and human behaviours related to geese. The purpose of this report is to summarize the status of resident goose populations in the City of Vancouver and present management options to mitigate impacts from over-abundant geese in parks and other areas. 

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: access to nature, biodiversity, ecological systems

The purpose of this projects was to determine the long-term spatial and temporal patterns of E. coli and fecal coliform concentrations in False Creek in order to improve our understanding of the sources of E. coli.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: access to nature, water, waste management & recycling

This report was produced to support the City of Vancouver’s Greenest City 2020 Action Plan. A topsoil requirement is one of the key tools that the City can use to meet its water conservation and rainwater management goals. This report summarizes the need for both improved water conservation and rainwater management in Vancouver; presents the benefits of topsoil for both of these aspects, among others; and puts forth recommended next steps for the City to get started on a topsoil requirement.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: clean water, ecological systems