Sustainable Urban Engineering @ UC

Establish a Sense of 'Place'

The 'place' for Sustainable Urban Engineering 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 a student dormitory (details below).

We are in the midst of a major capital campaign to raise $40 million for construction and operation of a Sustainable Dormitory and Living Laboratory. One hundred students will live in and work in a living laboratory for sustainability. The building will be constructed following 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 dormitory will serve as a living laboratory for students interested in Sustainable Urban Engineering. 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

During the summer of 2007, two students at the University of Cincinnati, Mr. James Ramey III and Mr. Brendan Weaver, developed 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 dormitory. 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 Sustainable Urban Engineering.
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. 2007