Sustainability Archives - Faculty of Engineering and Design

Wildfires in Canada: Researchers Work to Protect Canadians from Wildfire Smoke

Nick Arcuri — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 15:55:58 +0000

Wildfires in Canada: Researchers Work to Protect Canadians from Wildfire Smoke

March 12, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

Civil and Environmental Engineering

More than 6,000 wildfires burned across Canada in 2023, torching an area larger than England — the country’s most destructive fire season ever. In communities such as Yellowknife, Toronto and New York City, the sky turned an eerie orange in the middle of the day, whether there were fires nearby or hundreds of kilometres away.

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Canada Research Chair Awarded Funding to Advance Low-Carbon Technologies

Nick Arcuri — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 19:52:42 +0000

Canada Research Chair Awarded Funding to Advance Low-Carbon Technologies

March 12, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

Civil and Environmental Engineering

One of �Ӱ�ԭ�� University’s recently renewed (CRC), , was awarded new funding in support of his contributions to achieving Canada’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Kholghy’s funding is part of an by the Government of Canada of almost $11 million in research infrastructure funding through the (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund.

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�Ӱ�ԭ�� Lab Supports Energy Efficiency Retrofits in Social Housing Community

Nick Arcuri — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 18:58:33 +0000

�Ӱ�ԭ�� Lab Supports Energy Efficiency Retrofits in Social Housing Community

March 12, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

Civil and Environmental Engineering

At the Carver Place townhome community in east Ottawa, more than 60 units of rent geared to income housing for families are undergoing major energy efficiency retrofits — one of the most ambitious projects of its kind in Canadian social housing.

These upgrades — which include the installation of air source heat pumps, energy recovery ventilation systems, hot water heat pumps and new insulation as well as air sealing — aim to reduce the carbon footprint of the community while making residents more comfortable.

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From Blocks to Blueprints: How a �Ӱ�ԭ�� Engineering Grad is Shaping Cities with Minecraft

Alexandra Sebben — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 21:31:04 +0000

From Blocks to Blueprints: How a �Ӱ�ԭ�� Engineering Grad is Shaping Cities with Minecraft

March 12, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Matt Holmes isn’t your typical engineering grad. After earning a degree from �Ӱ�ԭ�� University’s program, he became an airport planner at Vancouver International Airport and a YouTube sensation.

Through his channel, , Holmes has built a global following teaching realistic city design using Minecraft — inspiring future architects and engineers one block at a time.

Holmes credits �Ӱ�ԭ�� for giving him the tools to turn a childhood curiosity into a thriving creative career. The university’s distinctive engineering program — and the opportunities it offered — gave him the knowledge, experience and confidence to transform his interest in building virtual cities into real-world impact.

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Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future: Centre Block’s Restoration

cuthemeedtr5 — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 22:14:08 +0000

Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future: Centre Block’s Restoration

March 12, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Parliament’s Centre Block isn’t just a building, it is an icon. Its sturdy stone façade is a symbol of Canadian democracy. But the current structure was built in 1920, and a lot can change in a century. Back then, Canada didn’t even have building codes, and climate control technology like air conditioning was still decades away from wide use. Bringing the historic building into the 21st century will be a big undertaking, and it is already well underway. �Ӱ�ԭ�� engineering graduates are part of the team that is revitalizing Centre Block so it can serve Canadians for the next hundred years—or even longer.

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�Ӱ�ԭ�� Researchers Advocate Smart Tech for Greener Office Buildings in Scientific American

cuthemeedtr5 — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 20:13:10 +0000

�Ӱ�ԭ�� Researchers Advocate Smart Tech for Greener Office Buildings in Scientific American

March 12, 2026

Civil and Environmental Engineering

�Ӱ�ԭ�� researchers Liam O’Brien and Farzam Sepanta recently published an opinion piece in Scientific American discussing the potential of smart technology to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of office buildings.

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Brewing Renewables: Grad Student Converts Beermaking Wastewater Into Biogas

cuthemeedtr5 — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 20:08:46 +0000

Brewing Renewables: Grad Student Converts Beermaking Wastewater Into Biogas

March 12, 2026

Civil and Environmental Engineering

When somebody sips a frosty pint of beer, they might briefly reflect on the ingredients in the glass — a timeless blend of grains, hops, yeast and water — but they probably don’t think about the byproducts from the brewing process. Unless they have the mind of an engineer.

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�Ӱ�ԭ��’s Elisabeth Gilmore Awarded $1.5 Million through New Frontiers in Research Fund

cuthemeedtr5 — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 18:46:03 +0000

�Ӱ�ԭ��'s Elisabeth Gilmore Awarded $1.5 Million through New Frontiers in Research Fund

March 12, 2026

Civil and Environmental Engineering

A �Ӱ�ԭ�� project led by Environmental Engineering and Public Policy researcher Elisabeth Gilmore has been funded by the International Joint Initiative for Research in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation. This initiative addresses the underlying development patterns and inequities that make people, and disproportionally make marginalised people, more vulnerable to the impacts and risks of climate change. Gilmore and her research team in Canada, U.K., South Africa and Nepal are working with communities and local governments, including in partnership with the Inuit Niqivut Silalu Asijjipalliajuq project team.

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NRCan Invests $2 Million in New Funding to Support Prof. Matthew Johnson’s Methane Emissions Research

cuthemeedtr5 — Tue, 14 May 2024 13:13:40 +0000

NRCan Invests $2 Million in New Funding to Support Prof. Matthew Johnson's Methane Emissions Research

March 12, 2026

Civil and Environmental Engineering

On Monday, May 13, Yasir Naqvi, Member of Parliament Ottawa Centre, announced a $2 Million investment from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to fund �Ӱ�ԭ�� University researcher Matthew Johnson’s methane emissions inventory work.

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Leading the Charge in Engineering a Greener Tomorrow

cuthemeedtr5 — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 19:12:43 +0000

Leading the Charge in Engineering a Greener Tomorrow

March 12, 2026

Civil and Environmental Engineering

What if you could be part of the solution to real-world challenges we’re facing today?

That’s exactly what our dedicated Engineering and Design alumni, students and faculty researchers are up to.

Whether it’s tackling pollution, climate change or harnessing renewable energy, our community is utilizing the power of engineering and design for a sustainable future. This Earth Day, learn more about how �Ӱ�ԭ�� researchers and alumni are doing just that:

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