Frank Cairo (BES ’05) and Troy van Haastrecht (BASc ’93) are shaping the future of sustainable communities by investing in the people who will build them.
Adapted from an article by Adam Segal
It is impossible to know precisely what tomorrow’s cities will look like, but Caivan Communities co-founders Frank Cairo (BES ’05) and Troy van Haastrecht (BASc ’93) are providing a taste of the future. The sustainable communities they have developed are intentionally designed to make everyday life healthy, green, communal and clean.
“Where we live directly affects who we are and how we live our lives,” says Frank. “I believe that future cities, if we dig deep enough, can in fact transform who we are.”
Frank and Troy’s passion to help build more thoughtful and purposeful communities prompted a groundbreaking $1 million donation to the Faculty of Environment. Their gift is the seed investment for the Future Cities Initiative Δ Program. This multidisciplinary and collaborative endeavor aims to groom future city builders, and harness research, knowledge and innovation across sectors to create just, healthy and sustainable communities.
FRANK CAIRO (BES '05), Caivan Communities co-founder
Where we live directly affects who we are and how we live our lives. I believe that future cities, if we dig deep enough, can in fact transform who we are.
“Talent is the foundation of the Future Cities initiative and this incredible gift from Caivan Communities provides program enhancements and financial support for students at all stages through a mix of scholarships, work-integrated learning opportunities and research fellowships,” says Dean Jean Andrey, of the Faculty of Environment.
“Future leaders in city-building will need to possess an interdisciplinary understanding and awareness,” Frank says. “This is at the core of the Future Cities program, which will cross faculty lines and bring great minds from a variety of fields of study to build cities that are resilient, adaptive and inclusive.”
