FCI Network Secures SSHRC Grants for Climate Resilience
Researchers and network partners connected with the Future Cities Institute founded by CAIVAN have secured new Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) funding to tackle urgent environmental, urban, and policy challenges. Spanning municipal net-zero strategy, property-level flood risk intelligence, virtual reality disaster planning, and international cyclone adaptation, these newly funded initiatives demonstrate how academic research turns into practical tools for city builders and decision-makers.
Across the institute’s network, four key projects secured investment:
Municipal Net-Zero Implementation (N-ZAP): Dr. Amelia Clarke was awarded a $2.5 million SSHRC Partnership Grant to expand Phase 2 of the Municipal Net-Zero Action Research Partnership. With local governments influencing nearly half of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, N-ZAP co-creates evidence-backed tools across 250 municipalities. FCI is supporting this work by developing practical courses and student awards to equip emerging city builders with real-world climate execution skills.
Property-Level Climate Intelligence (CLIP): FCI member Dr. Jason Thistlethwaite received funding for the Canadian Location Intelligence Platform. Through advanced location intelligence and data integration, CLIP generates property-level flood risk insights to inform fairer insurance rates, guide municipal planning, and help buyers evaluate risk before investing.
Immersive Disaster Planning (DRR360): FCI member Dr. Michelle Rutty was awarded funding to develop DRR360. This initiative uses virtual reality to help decision-makers evaluate real-world disaster risk scenarios and test protective strategies for vulnerable heritage sites and tourism infrastructure.
AI-Driven Climate Adaptation: FCI member Dr. Cameron McCordic received a Partnership Development Grant to test artificial intelligence models alongside research partners in Southern Africa. The project integrates Futures Thinking into climate adaptation policy, building stakeholder networks and toolkits to strengthen severe weather resilience.
Together, these investments highlight the breadth of applied research driving resilient urban futures.
Explore the full list of SSHRC-funded research projects at Waterloo:
https://uwaterloo.ca/news/university-waterloo-researchers-secure-more-8-million-sshrc