Urban Transformations Research Centre (UTRC)’s Post

Reflecting on two decades of passion for indoor climates. As I look back over the past 20 years working in the building industry, I’m reminded of how much my focus has evolved. It started with a deep curiosity about acoustics - how sound environments impact our well-being - and has now expanded into a broader understanding of how daylight and fresh air shape the spaces we live, work, and learn in. Throughout my journey, one truth has remained constant: the quality of the indoor environment has a profound effect on human performance and health. ❗ This is particularly true when we talk about learning environments for students. Studies consistently show that: 🔴 Students in classrooms with better air quality have up to 20% improved cognitive performance (source: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health). 🔴 Low noise levels contribute to a 30% increase in focus and retention (source: World Health Organization). 🔴 Perhaps most striking, exposure to natural daylight can boost productivity by up to 15% (source: University of Oregon). Whether designing solutions for schools, offices, or homes, I am constantly motivated by the science that shows how these seemingly small details can transform lives - and I'm happy to share this post by VELUX on some new figures from the report Healthy Buildings Barometer that since 2015 has been tracking the state of European Union (EU) homes. (Link to the report in the comments). I’m incredibly grateful for the journey so far and excited about the path ahead as we continue to find ways to improve the spaces we inhabit. (Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey, and I hope to continue inspiring others to look deeper into the indoor climates we often take for granted ❤️ ). #daylight #airquality #education #insideVELUX

Learn about the many uses of accessible green roofs for students in New York City and beyond, and how access to rooftop greenery supports their physical and mental health and well being. https://lnkd.in/g4sykKpZ

Kids spend over 12 years in school buildings, so shouldn't we be working to make them as efficient, healthy and sustainable as we do the offices we work in?   A study shared by the World Green Building Council found that well-ventilated buildings with good indoor air quality and enhanced levels of thermal comfort led to better cognitive performance and sleep.   Schools are a growing space for green building, but if you want to read about some Green Star schools leading the way, we wrote a short piece for Education Australia Resource Guide on the very topic. You can find it on page 49 of the e-book >> https://lnkd.in/gjjhB_kH #sustainability #greenbuilding #greenstar

Estimates indicate that 53% of public schools are in need of repairs, renovations, and modernizations. That’s why Tarkett is proud to be a Visionary partner of the new Minor Renovations Program from Collaborative for High Performance Schools, which is helping districts to: 📈 Improve building performance (including aspects that affect student performance, like air quality, thermal comfort, lighting, and acoustics) ✂️ Cut energy costs 🧠 Promote student health, wellness, and achievement Learn more about the program at https://ow.ly/mrSj30sFUau

📚 It's that time of year again—back to school! Need tips on organizing your study space in your apartment? Check out our new blog for great ideas on smart storage, perfect lighting, and more to help you create a cozy and efficient study nook! Read the full blog here: https://heyor.ca/BqnsGC #parkproperty #superintendents #apartmentliving #apartmentrentals #newblog #studyspace #backtoschool #apartmenttips

Bill Alert! US Senate Bill S 1538 - Living Schoolyards Act of 2023 Policy: Education Status: Bill Introduced Full Details: https://lnkd.in/ejGAKESn Bill 118 s 1538, also known as the Living Schoolyards Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of promoting the creation and maintenance of green spaces in schoolyards across the country. The bill seeks to provide funding and resources to schools to support the development of outdoor learning environments that incorporate elements such as gardens, playgrounds, and natural habitats. The Living Schoolyards...

the battle for the future of coastal cities around the United States. Should engineers deploy more natural infrastructure like sand dunes to work with the ocean instead of investing in seawalls that fight against it? Should urban planners keep designing for the automobile, as American cities have done for nearly a century, or encourage urbanites to walk or bike? 

A group of students in my PR Campaigns class developed a plan aiming to help stop Salem, Oregon residents idling their cars. I was glad to hear that the plan was gaining traction from professionals in the field interested in applying our work. There are a handful of reasons why this plan makes sense for communities across the US. ✅Low hanging fruit: simplicity and focus on the (non) idling idea, meeting people where they are at ✅Language: non-divisive and simple (clean, pollution), avoiding complex or politicized expressions ✅Positive reinforcement: building community around positive behavior change vs fines, penalties and ordinances ✅Inside-out approach: starting with the city and leading by example ✅Bottom-up initiative: bringing in schools and let children and families come up with their own visualization of the problem and solution, rewarding and displaying the best ✅ Broad platform for alternatives: stopping idling is a great opportunity to start talking about alternative methods, walking, biking and public transit. I'm proud of the strategic work our students have done and glad that it has an afterlife providing ideas for other communities striving to become more sustainable. Sustainable Cities Institute University of Oregon #sustainablecities #pollution #climatechange #ghgemissions https://lnkd.in/eyd9D6Hw

 🏠 Interested in where you could be living during your university years? Check out our latest video tour of one of our three student dormitories! Get a glimpse of the facilities and the atmosphere. Watch now! #StudentLife #DormTour #StudyInGermany

What does a path in the park near my neighborhood have to do with the development of digital products? This is a photo of a path in a park near my neighborhood. When we were kids, about 20 years ago, this path didn't really exist. Or to put it differently, when this park was being built, this path wasn't planned to be in this spot. However, what happened is that people started walking through here because it was convenient. They walked through here every day, and soon there was no grass left on that path. We used to call it "the little path". It was the route that efficiently led us to the other side of the park, and we often took that path even when it was raining and we knew the mud would ruin us. About 7 or 8 years ago, the city council decided to concrete this path and actually turn it into a proper walkway. Walking along that path yesterday, I realized that the knowledge we need to successfully develop digital products is actually more accessible than it first seems. That knowledge is nothing but a reflection of the most efficient practices that human society has been implementing for centuries, ultimately enabling that society to develop and become what it is today. Build a park for your fellow citizens, and they will help you create better paths. Build the simplest playground for your users, one that serves a purpose, and let them play in it. It's up to you to just listen to them carefully! ✌️