Resource Library

In the new era of sustainable mobility, the focus is mostly on the environmental impacts of electric, autonomous and shared vehicles, yet they will also have other meaningful impacts on regional economies. Not warranting enough attention to the economic aspect would not give us a complete picture of the impacts of these new modes of transportation. To this end, we estimated the regional economic impacts of SAVEs in Metro Vancouver.

Partner: TransLink
Keywords: sustainable development & green economy, transportation, economic impact

This report investigates research collaborations between the University of British Columbia and the City of Vancouver or other municipalities in Greater Vancouver on sustainability and liveability issues since 2010. The study's objective is to better understand how to increase and improve such research collaborations. The report includes recommendations to inform the development and implementation of city-university partnerships in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

This project informed a peer-reviewed article in the International Journal of Sustainability in Education: Strengthening city–university partnerships to advance sustainability solutions: A study of research collaborations between the University of British Columbia and City of Vancouver

Partner: UBC Sustainability Initiative (Urban Innovation Research)
Keywords: leadership & behaviour change, sustainability in education

This project aims to identify and evaluate beneficial opportunities to repurpose excavated disposed soils to reach the goals highlighted in the City of Vancouver's Zero Waste 2040 plan. This project includes amount and composition of incoming soils to the Vancouver Landfill, a forecast of future inflow soils tonnage to the Vancouver Landfill, possible soil repurposing options and highlighted viable options for the City of Vancouver.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: lighter footprint, zero waste

In Canada, 58% of food intended for human consumption is wasted. This project directly supports the City of Vancouver's Zero Waste 2040 goal to become a leading city in food waste prevention. It uses a behaviour change perspective to identify best practices for food waste avoidance and rescue in the grocery retail sector, and ways in which the City can engage and support adoption of best practices.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: lighter footprint, zero waste

This research project investigates the building energy consumption modelling assumptions laid-out in the City of Vancouver Energy Modelling Guidelines (EMG) and the BC Energy Step Code by calibrating these baseline assumptions using actual building energy consumption data. The key findings developed in this research study suggest improvements and recommendation on the current version of the City of Vancouver Energy Modelling Guidelines and the Zero Emissions Building Plan (ZEBP).

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: green buildings

An examination of current approaches to evaluating the inclusiveness of public spaces. Research has established that public spaces are beneficial for environmental and social sustainability, economic development, promoting positive health outcomes, building a sense of community and enhancing perceptions of social connectedness, welcomeness and safety. This work seeks to identify challenges and learn from existing public space practices to inform public space policies, programs, and projects.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: green transportation, healthy city, lighter footprint 

Wellbeing services on campus experience unsustainable demands from students seeking support for elevated levels of stress. This project aims to inform development of a campus-wide stress management strategy at UBC Okanagan. This objective was accomplished in three phases: 1. Explore resources on campus and within the literature; 2. Assess barriers and facilitators to accessing resources; and 3. Refine a biofeedback intervention to help students to self-regulate their stress response.

Partner: UBC-O School of Health and Exercise Sciences
Keywords: leadership & behaviour change, social sustainability

This project supports the physical and mental wellbeing of the student population at the UBC Okanagan campus. This will be achieved through the development of a physical activity referral program. Students with physical or mental health related concerns will be referred to the program by healthcare professionals and UBCO Health and Wellness. Students will receive physical activity-related mentorship from peers in the Human Kinetics program to increase their wellbeing.

Partner: UBC-O School of Health and Exercise Sciences
Keywords: leadership & behaviour change, physical activity, mental wellbeing

This project aims to improve and update the understanding of ground-level ozone science since the adoption of the latest Regional Ground-Level Ozone Strategy (RGLOS) in 2014. Includes recent relevant literature on ozone chemistry, meteorology, industrial processes, medical research, ecology, and best practices adopted by other jurisdictions. Builds upon the current RGLOS and addresses challenges the Canadian Lower Fraser Valley is facing to inform the anticipated RGLOS renewal in 2019/2020.

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: sustainable development & green economy