July 13, 2009

York University to partner with World Green Building Council on green design education

TORONTO

York University and the World Green Building Council are teaming up to develop an international education program in green building design.

Said to be a first of its kind, the program is intended to create “a new generation of international citizens who can solve problems across borders” and whose common mission is to make building design more sustainable.

Buildings and communities account for more than 40 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere.

Only a global transformation of the built environment will reduce that number, the council said.

“By bringing together the next generation of green leaders from a variety of disciplines and from around the world, we are working to create a new language for green design; one that is open, inclusive and global in scope,” said Andrew Bowerbank, the council’s executive director.

York University and WorldGBC recently held the official launch of the pilot program with the kick-off of the three-week design for sustainability in the built environment interactive workshop.

The course will bring 25 upper-year undergraduate students from different disciplines, studying at institutions in Ontario and abroad including Brazil, Costa Rica, Japan, Mexico and India.

“In this country and around the world, some of our most pressing challenges are environmental,” said York University president and vice-chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. “Fighting climate change is a complicated issue and it requires us to work together. That’s exactly what this program is designed to do.”

Participating in interactive workshop, students will explore principles and best practices in sustainable building design and development in an urban context. Special attention will be given to international perspectives on today’s environmental issues.

The courses will be based at the Faculty of Environmental Studies at York University. Workshop classes will be held at the LEED Gold-certified Earth Rangers Centre at the Toronto and Region Conservation’s The Living City Campus. Students can take advantage of the interactive learning opportunities dedicated to environmental education and energy conservation.

Organizations moving this initiative forward include Toronto and Region Conservation, the Conservation Fund of the Ontario Power Authority and Earth Rangers.

DCN NEWS SERVICES

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