York University and GHD partnership

GHD is partnering with York University based in Ontario for the Winter 2024 Cross-Campus Capstone Classroom (C4) program. The program provides third- and fourth-year students the opportunity to work in multi-disciplinary teams, deepening their understanding of global sustainability issues while tackling a defined challenge topic through research, design and problem-solving. 

After successfully completing an environmental project for York University in 2023, GHD looked for ways to further engage in the community, and the C4 program at York University proved ideal.  

The program aligns with GHD’s vision for communities of the future, which focuses on themes across housing, mobility, social access and equity, adaptation and resilience and asset transition. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is collaborating as the community stakeholder in the program. 

Enriching experience 

During the 12-week winter term, up to 70 undergraduates will work on multidisciplinary projects exploring this term’s challenge question developed together with C4 faculty leads: How can we help young people in the Greater Toronto Area overcome climate anxiety, to be empowered to inform and drive our future pathways to an equitable and sustainable city? GHD and TRCA will act as mentors to inspire the students throughout the program. 

GHD’s Future Communities Lead Canada, Tina Marano, will participate bi-monthly in class, supporting the teams as their collaborative projects unfold. She will also bring subject matter experts from GHD to participate in the program, as required, to provide technical guidance and inspiration to the teams’ specific projects.  

Students will have the opportunity to work on complex real-world challenges, deepening their sense of social responsibility and ability to effect change. They will present their completed projects and compete for awards in the Capstone Day annual showcase held in April 2024 at York University. GHD is proud to sponsor the Community Impact Award, which recognizes out-of-the-box projects and thinking, demonstrating the potential for positive change in the community.  

Tackling climate anxiety 

Despite the current environmental crisis context, we are seeing an increase in young people spreading awareness and motivating others to take action around climate change, inspiring optimism in the future. “We work with our clients globally on projects that manage and respond to the impacts of changing climate. We recognize the importance of collaboration with industry and academia and engaging with young people to enable them as agents of change,” says Marano. By nurturing a culture that embraces optimism, collaboration, and experimentation, GHD aspires to connect with and empower the next generation of professionals like those participating in C4 that come from a broad range of faculties like engineering, science, environment, urban planning and business. 

Lasting community benefits 

“Creating lasting community benefits requires working and thinking differently, exchanging ideas with bright young minds and emerging leaders who believe change and impact are possible,” continues Marano. The C4 program is the perfect setting for students to experience hands-on the power of collaboration and co-creation through cultivating relationships with their peers, partners and the communities in which the projects are grounded. “I believe that by bringing diverse perspectives, skills, backgrounds and experiences to a project or challenge, the students will build fundamental technical skills and design thinking expertise that will inspire and equip them to become the next generation of leaders and change-makers in our community,” Marano emphasizes.  

We will provide updates on this program as it progresses.  

Acerca de GHD

GHD es una empresa líder de servicios profesionales que opera en los mercados mundiales de agua, energía y recursos, medio ambiente, infraestructura y edificaciones, y transporte. Comprometidos con la visión de lograr que el agua, la energía y las comunidades sean sostenibles para las futuras generaciones, GHD ofrece soluciones en asesoría, servicios digitales, de ingeniería, arquitectura, medio ambiente y para la construcción a clientes del sector público y privado. Fundada en 1928 y propiedad de sus trabajadores, GHD cuenta con una red de más de 11.000 profesionales conectados en más de 160 oficinas en cinco continentes.