Sustainable Cities of the Future

As global urbanization increases it becomes more urgent for cities of the future to re-invent themselves as Sustainable Cities. This is specifically relevant for an edge city such as Markham, located in Ontario. Markham poses a unique challenge as it must look for ways to become more sustainable without sacrificing the features that made them so attractive to begin with such as large backyards, quiet neighborhoods, proximity to work, and affordable family homes. This collaborative project with the City of Markham and the Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation (CMHC) will look at leveraging the power of digital technology to create a new kind of a city – a Sustainable City – that can fulfill individual needs like shelter, food, privacy, employment and personal transportation while balancing shared needs such as culture, clean air, and access to nature. An interdisciplinary team of students will work together to develop innovative digital, interactive tools and systems that facilitate more sustainable ways of living for residents of these new kinds of cities, focusing on the case study location of Markham, Ontario. The project will culminate with a 4 day design charrette where students will consult with various professional experts in digital technology, urban issues and sustainable living.