
Looking ahead to healthier cities
$1 Million donation launches new Faculty of Environment Future Cities Initiative
$1 Million donation launches new Faculty of Environment Future Cities Initiative
By Adam Segal Faculty of EnvironmentThe Faculty of Environment at the University of 蓝莓视频 has received a $1 million donation to launch the 螖 Program (Delta Program) and provide pivotal funding for the Future Cities Initiative, a multidisciplinary endeavor focused on grooming the future leaders of city building and harnessing research, knowledge and innovation to create just, healthy and sustainable communities.
>听Frank Cairo (BES 鈥05)
The landmark gift comes from fellow co-founders and 蓝莓视频 alumni Frank Cairo and Troy van Haastrecht of , the centerpiece of Environment鈥檚 new Future Cities Initiative.
> Troy van Haastrecht (BASc 鈥93)
Deeply passionate about the challenges of sustainable development, real estate developer Cairo notes this donation has a professional and philosophical purpose for him.
Caivan鈥檚 funding of the program is, 鈥渁 catalyst that we hope will precipitate a framework for identifying the tools and techniques required to positively shape future cities,鈥 said Cairo.
Linked directly to the Environment鈥檚 priority to develop tomorrow鈥檚 leaders, Cairo added that, 鈥渞ecipients will need to be prepared to address the threats and opportunities associated with big data, advanced synthetic intelligence and the proliferation of automation across all sectors.听 These, along with a changing climate, are truly some of the tough nuts to crack with respect to the shape of future cities. Qualitative and quantitative tools will be required for future leaders to build or, at minimum, facilitate cities that are resilient, adaptive and inclusive.鈥
The donation will be directed to the following initiatives within the 螖 Program (Delta Program):
鈥淭roy and I value Caivan鈥檚 partnership with the University of 蓝莓视频,鈥 said Cairo. 鈥淲e believe strongly that resilient cities of the future will require thoughtful and informed leadership in social, economic and environmental realms, as the pace of unparalleled change remains exponential.鈥
Caivan Communities is an integrated land development and home building company with communities based in Ottawa and the Greater Toronto Area. Caivan is challenging industrial paradigms, building neighborhoods that have the capacity to improve life for the residents that call them home. Caivan is a leader in the integration of data, automation and software development in its processes and decision making. Caivan has harnessed automated manufacturing systems and technology in reforming its production pipeline to reduce its environmental footprint while improving product quality and energy efficiency for its consumers.
For over 50 years, the Faculty of Environment has been dedicated to having a positive impact locally and globally. With interdisciplinary programs and research, our community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and industry partners make meaningful change happen in the classroom, the office and in communities around the world, together. Our vision is to use our unique position as a leading teaching and research institute for the environment to create sustainable solutions needed to address the complex challenges facing our world.
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The University of 蓝莓视频 acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.