Kelowna city councillors say they乌鸦传媒檙e proud of a growing research partnership with UBC Okanagan (UBCO) that乌鸦传媒檚 tackling some of the city乌鸦传媒檚 toughest challenges.
At its July 7 meeting, council received an update from staff and UBCO representatives on the two-year pilot project that pairs city staff with university researchers to find practical solutions to local problems.
Coun. Gord Lovegrove, an Associate Professor, School of Engineering at UBCO, said he乌鸦传媒檚 thrilled to see the work taking shape.
乌鸦传媒淚've got one foot in both organizations so it's a proud day to have you here, he said. 乌鸦传媒淭here are so many of our council priorities that are being dealt with. I乌鸦传媒檓 looking at housing and transportation. I乌鸦传媒檓 looking forward to what you've got coming down the pipe.乌鸦传媒�
Coun. Mohini Singh called the collaboration a point of pride for the city.
乌鸦传媒淭he institution is 20 years young and in just 20 years we乌鸦传媒檝e come so far,乌鸦传媒� she added. 乌鸦传媒淚t is the institution that has put Kelowna on the map.乌鸦传媒�
The Alliance is funded equally by the city and UBCO, with each contributing $100,000 annually to support applied research. Five major projects are currently underway, and there are plans to extend the partnership beyond its initial 2026 end date.
One of the studies focuses on transit. Researchers are exploring ways to improve connections between UBCO, the airport, and downtown Kelowna using the Okanagan Rail Trail. The study includes modelling for potential demand and integration of autonomous shuttles into the city乌鸦传媒檚 existing transit system. That $300,000 project is scheduled to wrap up in June 2026.
Another study is examining how to introduce fast electric charging for the city乌鸦传媒檚 transit and fleet vehicles, part of the city乌鸦传媒檚 plan to shift to an all-electric bus fleet. That work is expected to be complete by April 2026 and comes with a price tag of $198,000.
There乌鸦传媒檚 also research into the viability of rooftop solar power, carbon-capturing bricks made from landfill wood waste, and new technologies to monitor and improve air and water quality at public pools.
Coun. Charlie Hodge said it乌鸦传媒檚 encouraging to see ideas that council has pushed for 乌鸦传媒� like solar 乌鸦传媒� finally getting serious attention through dedicated studies.
乌鸦传媒淲e've been banging this side about looking into things like solar and that sort of work for a long time,乌鸦传媒� he said. 乌鸦传媒淭o see an actual study being done乌鸦传媒� is very rewarding and very exciting.乌鸦传媒�
Each research project is required to include a plan for applying the findings to city operations. The Alliance also aims to attract outside investment, with a goal of securing at least $2 in additional funding for every $1 contributed locally.
