The University of Waterloo’s Future Cities Institute (FCI) founded by CAIVAN brings together a global network of interdisciplinary researchers from a variety of fields, industry leaders, practitioners, students and community members to develop new tools and approaches for building healthy, prosperous and sustainable cities.
Fostering – We promote the integration of research, teaching, and knowledge mobilization to drive innovative city and community solutions.
Healthy – We embrace a One Health approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, environmental, and planetary well-being.
Prosperous – We create the conditions for communities to thrive socially and economically by fostering employment, innovation, education, and inclusive growth that benefits citizens.
Future – We explore multiple plausible futures, not just preferred ones, ensuring adaptable and resilient city and community strategies.
Cities and Communities – We engage with municipalities and Indigenous communities to collaboratively shape sustainable development.
News
From Idea to Industry: one student’s journey from the Future City Innovation Challenge to a job at Caivan Communities
Sehaj Raj Singh joined the Future City Innovation Challenge, co-hosted by the FCI and Velocity, with a bold idea: make Canada’s permitting process smarter. He walked away with the top prize, new interdisciplinary teammates, and the attention of judge Frank Cairo, founder of the Future Cities Institute and a leader at CAIVAN.
Now graduating, Sehaj is stepping into a new role as an Analyst in Land Development Engineering at Caivan Communities. Reflecting on the experience, he shared, “The Velocity Future City Innovation Challenge was hands down one of the most fulfilling moments of my undergrad... From being in the crowd to being on stage, I’m just glad I bet on myself.” A powerful example of how ambition, collaboration, and real-world challenges can shape the future.
Shaping Cities of the Future: women, leadership & philanthropy
At a recent event co-hosted by the University of Waterloo and TD Wealth, members of the Waterloo community gathered for a powerful conversation on Shaping Cities of the Future: Women, Leadership & Philanthropy.
Moderated by Leia Minaker, our Director at the Future Cities Institute, the discussion highlighted the vital role women play in financial leadership and philanthropy. Leia guided a rich conversation that emphasized the value of trust-based giving, the power of intentional investment, and the many forms philanthropy can take, whether it be time, ideas, or financial support.
Students power bold solutions at future cities innovation challenge
From affordable housing to AI-driven mobility, University of Waterloo students turned bold ideas into actionable solutions at the inaugural Future Cities Innovation Challenge.
The inaugural Future Cities Innovation Challenge, co-hosted by Velocity and the Future Cities Institute, brought startup energy to real-world urban issues.
Their solutions addressed real-world problems, from sustainable infrastructure to the ethical use of technology, bringing Waterloo’s Global Futures vision to life. The event showcased the power of student innovation in shaping healthy, prosperous, and sustainable cities. Explore six standout ideas that are helping build the cities of tomorrow.
