Sustainability Scholars Program

The goal of this research is to extend the Campus as a Living Lab concept from the University of British Columbia to a “City as a Living Lab” including developing a roadmap for green innovation and technology demonstration in the False Creek Flats. From a distillation of the research questions, the objectives of this research have been simplified to the following: Identify demonstration sites and green technology ready to be demonstrated; and make recommendations for improvements on the current matching process. 

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

In an effort to encourage more residents and visitors to explore Vancouver on foot, information kiosks, were installed across the city displaying neighbourhood maps and destinations. A pilot project in 2012 informed a system-wide refresh of these kiosks. One of the assets created as a result of this refresh was a custom, digital map of Vancouver. This report identifies opportunities for the new digital wayfinding map with a particular emphasis on its potential to encourage more walking trips throughout the city.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: green transportation, social sustainability

To explore options for reducing the health impacts of extreme heat events in Vancouver, the City of Vancouver is undertaking a number of Extreme Heat projects, of which this review is one. The focus of this research is to explore alternative strategies to traditional air conditioning in buildings to address the issue of overheating, with an emphasis on multi-unit residential buildings, and, in particular, retro-fitting existing buildings. 

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: climate and renewables, green buildings

The City of Vancouver is considering the role energy benchmarking of large commercial and institutional buildings could play in supporting energy reductions targeted in existing policy. An initial benchmarking process has been used to identify potential difficulties for a city-wide benchmarking initiative. Challenges encountered and lessons learned have been identified in this document. Examples include methods of obtaining data and data reliability as well as challenges associated with multi-use or multi-building properties.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: climate and renewables, green buildings

This project was produced for BC Hydro to identify trends that could impact future electricity consumption and effect  meeting their 66% energy savings target. The project involved a high-level scan of a range of social, technological and utility trends, followed by an in-depth analysis of Big Data and Analytics, and Networked Citizens to understand their influence on electricity generation, consumption, and future service provision.

Partner: BC Hydro
Keywords: social sustainability, sustainable development & green economy

Studies on telecommuting have shown many qualitative benefits, such as increased productivity and improved work-life balance. However, research on quantitative benefits focuses primarily upon the energy and cost savings related to decreased oil consumption from reduced travel distance. The intention of this project was to provide background on current telecommuting and hoteling practices, as well as to investigate the potential energy savings due to the lowered utilization of office space and equipment.

Partner: BC Hydro
Keywords: sustainable development & green economy

The overarching purpose of this project is to identify how the Musqueam community understands sustainability. The first goal was to assess how the community perceives sustainability on the reserve today and the second goal was to identify concerns and priorities. These goals work to further the objectives of the Musqueam Comprehensive Community Plan. 

Partner: Musqueum
Keywords: social sustainability

This purpose of this project was to facilitate the Healthy UBC program in running an effective, evidence based health promotion program and to help UBC realize their goal of creating a progressive, sustainable work culture. The objectives were: build an evidence base to inform programming; identify how the organization can support and enable sustainable health promotion initiatives implemented at the department level; review existing evaluation tools; and make recommendations on how to best assess and demonstrate the unit’s overall impact on campus.

Partner: UBC Human Resources
Keywords: social sustainability

Beginning in Fall 2013, the University of British Columbia began one of its largest public engagement processes to guide and inform the 20-Year Sustainability Strategy. This project involved the production of an engagement summary as well as identification of UBC climate action targets that will be used to monitor the implementation of UBC’s climate goals.

Partner: UBC Sustainability Initiative
Keywords: leadership & behaviour change, social sustainability