Sustaining the Urban Environment @ UC

Establish a Sense of 'Place'

The 'place' for Sustaining the Urban Environment at the University of Cincinnati includes three locations:

• The virtual world including this web site as well as our password protected web site hosted on Blackboard (please contact us is you need access),
• Existing physical space provided within the College of Engineering located at Room 765 Baldwin Hall, P.O. Box 210071, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0071, and
• A fundraising effort to generate a living laboratory for sustainability in the form of an instrumented student dormitory (details below).

The University of Cincinnati is in the midst of a major capital campaign entitled, Proudly Cincinnati. As part of this campaign, we are working to raise funds to convert a student residence hall into a living laboratory of sustainability. We envision a facilty where approximately one hundred students will challenge stereotypes of sustainable living. The building will follow US Green Building Council guidelines for LEED certification (www.usgbc.org). Energy for the building will be provided by solar collection and methane capture from on site biosolids treatment. Gray water recycling will be used for toilets and landscaping water. A green roof will be included. Beyond these obvious attributes for sustainability, the residence hall will serve as a living laboratory for students interested in Sustaining the Urban Environment. Energy and water use will be monitored in real time and shared with residents. This information, along with data collected on socioeconomic and transportation activities will measure the “sustainability footprint” of the residents. Food preparation will follow a cooperative grower’s model. Community engagement by the students will include microfinance and projects in the Cincinnati metro area that lead to measurable improvements in urban sustainability. The dormitory will serve as a dynamic laboratory for generating and testing metrics for sustainability that make individuals aware of their impact on environmental and economic sustainability.

Revenue from the Dormitory will be used to provide the following:

• Maintenance and incorporation of the latest technologies and concepts for sustainable living quarters and laboratory
• Hosting at least two foreign undergraduate students annually to experience these concept first hand and export the experience back to their countries
• Provide cooperative educational opportunities for SUE students
• Operate a food kitchen for women and children
• Host faculty experts on extended exchange programs or sabbatical leave to live and learn with our students

SUE commissioned two students at the University of Cincinnati, Mr. James Ramey III and Mr. Brendan Weaver, to develop a document entitled, "A Day in the Life". This document details their views of a day in the life of Susie Q. Sustainable, an imaginary student living in UC's sustainable residence hall. Read more about Susie's day.

If you are interested in learning more about our plans for a living laboratory, please contact us via email

Questions? Contact Center for Sustaining the Urban Environment.
Room 765 Baldwin Hall; P.O. Box 210071
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0071, USA
(513) 556-3685; (513) 556-2599 (fax)

Copyright Information © University of Cincinnati. 2009