The class of CIVE230: Engineering and Sustainable Development have been at it again, learning remotely in Spring 2021. This is the second COVID-19 edition of the course!The course introduces sustainability on two levels: qualitative concepts and background information is covered; and quantitative models which emphasize core engineering methods are applied to sustainability problems. Quantitative methods are derived and applied to air quality, water quality, energy and solid waste. Attention is given to sustainable urban systems, as they apply to both developed and developing countries. Sustainability concepts covering the triple bottom line are also presented, and their applicability to sustainable cities are demonstrated. Students in the course were tasked with making a contribution to an e-book. They were creative and innovative in applying course concepts to cities of their choice and exploring sustainability challenges and innovations. Their sustainability project encouraged them to explore sustainable infrastructure, solutions and technologies in Canada and globally to generate an enriched learning experience and to tie ideas to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the Canadian Engineering Grand Challenges (CEGC).

Learning about sustainability requires systems-thinking and a curiosity to explore. When learning opportunities are created for students so that go beyond the course content by learning from the world around us and from each other, they get so much more out of the course. This e-book has been the project experience that allowed students to explore topics of their choice in cities of their choice!This e-book serves as a contribution by the class for the class, and for the wider UW and engineering community. Have a read through.

Sustainability lives within the people we know and places we visitThe book consists of two parts: Champions of Sustainability and Sustainable Innovations in Africa. The former focuses on individuals who are renowned for their efforts to further the cause of sustainability in their respective areas of expertise while the latter highlights cities in Africa that face a challenge pertaining to sustainability, and the potential solutions they could implement to solve said crises.

The students in CIVE230: Engineering and Sustainable Development go beyond the course content by learning from the world around us and from each other. This e-book has been the project experience that allowed students to explore topics of their choice in cities of their choice, and has become a souvenir from the course!

Learning about sustainability requires systems-thinking and a curiosity to explore. In the COVID-19 edition of a sustainability course, there were many chances to create new learning opportunities not only from the course content, but also from the world around us, the media and news, and from each other.Students in the course CIVE230: Engineering and Sustainable Development were tasked with making a contribution to sustainability efforts. They have been hard at work throughout the term to share a sustainability idea that were compiled in an e-book “The Sustainability Contribution Project” which showcases their ideas that cover all course topics as they apply to cities around the world. This activity encouraged students to explore sustainable cities, infrastructure, solutions and technologies globally to generate an enriched learning experience and create an opportunity for peer-to-peer learning. Together, they co-created content.This e-book serves as a contribution by the class for the class, and for the wider engineering education community. I encourage you to have a look through. 

Sustainability Plans for the Future: A look into global cities and their plans and visions for the future. Sustainability is the future, and the future is shaped by sustainable visions! The students in CIVE230: Engineering and Sustainable Development go beyond the course content by learning from the world around us and from each other. This e-book has been the outcome of the project experience that allowed students to explore topics of their choice in cities of their choice. This e-book is now a souvenir from the course. Students in the course were tasked with making a contribution to an e-book. The inspiration for the course project this term was to connect with the University of Waterloo’s newly launched Future Cities Institute so that they might think of future cities as Waterloo Region and surrounding regions explore their sustainable futures. The students were creative and innovative in applying course concepts to cities of their choice by exploring sustainability challenges and innovations.