Building Sustainability: BCIT Training the Next Generation

The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is training the next generation of ecocity builders. BCIT’s wide-ranging sustainability focused education includes green roofs, living walls, smart micro grids, high
performance buildings, zero emission transportation,
innovative health care and data analytics.

BCIT is a public, post-secondary, polytechnic institution that comprises six schools. BCIT explores the opportunities afforded by an increasingly complex world. The school’s small classes, applied academics and
hands-on experience shows students how to turn challenges into solutions.

As reviewed in the Journal of Commerce, a BCIT project won the Envision Gold award for sustainable infrastructure. BCIT won the award for designing and constructing Canada’s first Smart Power microgrid with BC Hydro. The flexible power options offered by the microgrid is a prime example of the innovative infrastructure upgrades provided by BCIT.

“BCIT sets the gold standard for innovation and sets the bar for other campuses in Canada,” said Melanie Mark, BC minister for advanced education, in a press release. “This project is delivering on a commitment to build a more sustainable and resilient campus and showcases our government’s commitment to a CleanBC plan to build a cleaner, brighter future for generations to come.”

In a press release, Kathy Kinloch, the president of BCIT said, “This award further recognizes BCIT for its strong commitment and leadership in sustainability.” According to Kinloch, BCIT is the first educational institution in Canada to have the sustainability of one of its infrastructure projects validated through a rigorous, third-party process like the Envision framework.

On October 7–11, 2019, BCIT will be co-hosting Ecocity World Summit along with the city of Vancouver and other strategic partners. The summit will convene a host of local, regional and global experts who are coming together to build the bridge to socially just and ecologically sustainable cities.

The Ecocity World Summit addresses the way humanity builds its homes, cities, towns and villages. The aim is to unite people through a new way of living on the planet that provides the best possible cities while enhancing, not destroying, the biosphere. The Summit will help to build an infrastructure of ideas, strategies, and actions to promote cities that are socially inclusive and ecologically healthy.

For more information about BCIT click here.