U of A begins new partnership to support City of Edmonton initiatives and global research

A new age of research support from the University of Alberta towards City of Edmonton urban initiatives has begun.

Both the U of A and City of Edmonton have entered as partners into the international MetroLab Network. The network launched in 2016 in the United States as a strategic partnership between municipal governments and universities to guarantee better collaboration on civic initiatives through multidisciplinary research. 44 universities, spanning five countries, are active within the network. The U of A’s and City of Edmonton’s partnership marks the first of its kind within this network in Canada.

At an event announcing the new partnership at City Hall on September 19, Mayor of Edmonton Don Iveson said this announcement formally cements a partnership that has always been present.

“We have always benefited from… existing cooperation with the university,” Iveson said. “This will hopefully take us to the next level of leveraging what it means to have one of the best research university’s right within our city.”

He added that the partnership will ensure the city will have research support from city initiatives.

“[This allows us] to be able to treat the city as a platform and as a sandbox for innovation and problem solving,” Iveson said.

U of A President David Turpin said the MetroLab Network is an “incredible opportunity” to further advance research with direct applications to municipal challenges in Edmonton and abroad.

In an interview, Turpin said this network affords students the opportunity to get unique experience while studying and working with researchers.

“This is just another example of what we are doing to allow students to get real world experience as part of their academic program,” he said.

The proposal to enter into the MetroLab Network was passed on October 24, 2018 by City Council. To be a member, the city and the university will split the cost of a $6,000 membership fee.

Three other cities joined the MetroLab Network on September 19 including Glasgow, Bristol, and Liverpool.

Three research projects first up in new MetroLab Network collaboration

During the announcement, the first three research projects to participate in the MetroLab Network were revealed. Researchers representing each project were present at the announcement.

The projects included Advancing Towards Smart Buildings, Project Automated Nursing Agent (ANA), and expansion of the Alberta Cooperative Transportation Infrastructure and Vehicular Environment program.

The first project focuses on smart buildings to change how future infrastructure is built, designed, and interacted with. The data driven approach will share results and best practices with other cities to enhance future building projects.

Project ANA seeks to use artificial intelligence to provide seniors living outside group homes the ability to have someone to interact with. ANA will help remind them to take their medicine, answer calls, and be able to strike conversations with complete emotional responses.

The expansion of the Alberta Cooperative Transportation Infrastructure and Vehicular Environment program allows for connected vehicle technology to be implemented along roads in the city with the goal of providing smoother and more efficient transportation networks.

Iveson said the three research projects and being apart of the MetroLab Network as a whole will help the city as it navigates complicated issues like climate change and traffic safety.

“There is an abundance of opportunity to work together,” he said. “We look forward to great things.”