The Start of a New CUSP Project
- c3iladmin3
- Oct 17, 2018
- 3 min read
The Capstone Urban Sustainability Project (CUSP) of 2018/2019 started successfully last month. The first classes were very informative and fun for the students as they began to learn more about their project. During this academic year, the students will form consulting groups to research ways of engaging developers in Net-Zero energy projects in the city of Cambridge. In the first class, we introduced the course's guidelines and explained to the students the expectations for their projects. As we talked about the importance of this course for their professional developments, the students' interest sparked as they recognized that this course offers something unique for their academic growth. We also presented the Request for Proposals from the City of Cambridge that addresses the relevance of creating Net-Zero projects in the area. We discussed what a Net-Zero Project is and highlighted key elements that they will have to consider for their future projects, like the importance of keeping a professional research journal.
Almost at the end of this first class, we did a group formation activity which was fun but also constructive for the students. With this activity, we wanted to stress the relevance of teamwork and the importance of developing good dynamics among the members of their teams. The activity consisted of replicating a Lego structure which would only be possible by working as a team. Each student had a different role within the process and everyone had to collaborate to build a structure in the likeness of one that was presented to them. In the end, we reflected on issues like group communication, leadership, cooperation, and problem-solving strategies. The students were engaged and found the activity challenging and fun at the same time.
This class was off to a good start for the course because the students got to know their projects, the instructor and each other. This is relevant as they will be forming consulting groups which will be presented to the City of Cambridge representatives. This year, the space we were assigned for this course is the C3 Innovation Labs which is a very dynamic and useful area to work on this type of project. The students left this first class motivated as this course offers opportunities that they might not find in other spaces during the last years of their undergrad degree.
After the first class that focused on introductions, it was time to get to work. In our second week, the class was visited by two guest speakers. Dr. Bob Sharpe, Associate Professor at Laurier, and Mr. Paul Puopolo, the President of Polocorp, a land development company located in the KW area. Dr. Bob Sharpe’s talk helped the students to understand the importance of a careful reading of all the criteria included on the Request for Proposals in order to develop a complete and successful project. His talk also highlighted the importance of being a professional in every aspect when presenting their proposals to the city of Cambridge. Bob stressed the importance of the design of their written projects and went through the “City of Cambridge Official Plan” as an example.
On the other hand, Mr. Puopolo, who is also a Laurier graduate, spoke to the students about working with consultants from the point of view of a developer. He stressed the importance of planners and their role in building Net-Zero projects. After explaining his project experience in areas like Kitchener, Waterloo, and Brantford, Paul talked about the significant trend of growing awareness of environmental impacts and changing technologies. He specifically spoke about the growth plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe area, stressing the importance of their policy on protecting our climate and green spaces. He also gave the students examples of Net-Zero communities developed in Canada and abroad.
During the next weeks, the class will keep having guest speakers who will provide useful insights to the students’ projects. The first trip to Guelph is scheduled for the following week as well. We are going to visit a Residential Net-Zero development project called Terra View. More exciting things are coming soon!
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