Background
Imagine you are returning to campus in 2050, perhaps for a reunion with your fellow classmates, or even to witness your own child graduate. What will the campus look like? We don’t know a lot about what will change between now and mid-century, but we do know that our campus and our society aim to be net zero emissions. Our climate action plan, Shift Neutral, lays out a pathway to achieving those emissions reductions: through upgrades to buildings, through electrification of our heating systems, through greater use of active and sustainable transportation, through clean energy production, etc. Green spaces may also look different as we increasingly value naturalized spaces, green roofs, the services provided by trees, and other forms of biodiversity. But how will those things change the look of our campus? That is far less obvious.
The University of Waterloo Sustainability Office is looking for student visions of what a sustainable and zero-emission campus might look like in 2050. This work relates to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a particular emphasis on SDGs 11, 13, and 15.
Scope of Work Could Include
- Review the Shift Neutral climate action plan and Sustainable Development Goals to understand the changes needed to achieve net zero emissions and a more sustainable campus in general.
- Create images of that show how the campus as a whole or recognizable parts of it will evolve between now and 2050.
Stakeholders
- Sustainability Office
Proposed Deliverables
The details of the deliverables are flexible but must meet the requirements set out by the course instructor. Some proposed deliverables include:
- A work plan early in the term outlining key milestones and responsibilities.
- One or more visualizations of UW in 2050 that could be used in Sustainability Office communications.