On April 2, the i‑Capstone Symposium brought together students, community partners, and city‑builders for a full day of presentations showcasing a term of applied, interdisciplinary work on real-world urban challenges. Hosted by the Future Cities Institute founded by CAIVAN at the University of Waterloo, the event highlighted how students from diverse academic backgrounds collaborated with external partners to co‑create innovative, actionable solutions for cities and communities.
The depth, rigour, and creativity of the projects on display reflected the guidance and commitment of the instructional team. Sincere thanks to instructors Derek Rayside, Michael Wood, Benjamin Graham, and Douglas Peers, whose mentorship throughout the term made this work possible.
The symposium would not be possible without the generous support of partners and sponsors. Thank you to Frank Cairo, David Catalfo, P.Eng., and the entire CAIVAN team, whose belief in this work and in students is foundational to the Future Cities Institute. Support for student awards was also provided by the GLOCAL Foundation of Canada and Faye Ying, AWS Canada and Stephanie Whitney, and the Global Futures Office and Fayaz Noormohamed.
The Future Cities Institute was pleased to welcome University of Waterloo President Vivek Goel, Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe, and representatives from the Region of Waterloo, alongside faculty, alumni, and community partners. Their engagement—through thoughtful questions, dialogue, and celebration—underscored the value of experiential, partnership‑driven learning and the role students can play in shaping more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities. More details on the event and specific projects can be found at 2026 i-Capstone Design.