Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program’s Post

“Il Bosco Verticale” is a prime example of biodiversity architecture developed by Studio Boeri in 2014 in Milan, Italy. It consists of two towers of 112 and 80 meters in height respectively, whose façades present over 2,000 tree species populated in turn by 1,600 species of birds and butterflies. Despite traditional buildings with glass or stone coatings that reflect light generating heat, the green walls of the Bosco Verticale absorb solar rays along with carbon dioxide. These also act as a filter for fine particles while producing oxygen, thus fostering a habitat and microclimate suitable for the development of a real ecosystem. To this end, even the architectural language plays an important role: the wide balconies are distributed on different levels besides marking the rhythm of the masterpiece’s volume. In addition, the balconies accommodate large trees and plants that can find room to grow freely. Likewise, from a chromatic point of view, the presence of the trees increases the contrast with the coating and the finishes in the porcelain tiles. Fun fact: the plant life of the Bosco Verticale is curated by the Flying Gardeners. They form a dedicated team of arborists specialized in mountaineering techniques who climb down from the roof for pruning and plant analysis. “According to Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) Europe, Milan has emerged as one of the top five cities in Europe for LEED green building. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. Currently, Milan has more than 80 LEED-certified buildings that are helping to reduce carbon emissions and provide healthier environments for people to live and work, and about 130 registered to pursue LEED certification.” “‘The way we design our buildings, cities and communities impacts our quality of life and the quality of life for generations to come,’ said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO of GBCI and USGBC. ‘Milan’s work with LEED is an example not just to Italy, but to the rest of the European region, and proves that high-performing, sustainable buildings are within our reach. By committing to practices that reduce our impact on the environment and prioritize our health, we can create a better living standard for each and every person.’” Link to article: https://lnkd.in/eJPrEqDZ

In this e-course, Dr. Tim A. Mau, Associate Professor, Political Science, University of Guelph, Canada, explains the qualities and roles of inclusive public-sector leadership and how to foster inclusiveness in the sector. https://zurl.co/ghY4

Our next medals and awards recipient in the spotlight is Professor Peter Hopkins FAcSS. 🎖️ Peter has been awarded the Back Award for sustained and outstanding contributions to policy development through research. His recent research focuses on Islamophobia, how it operates within society, and refugee experiences. Over the last two decades, Peter's work has been influential in shaping policy and practice. However, early in his career, the path to influence was not immediate. When asked what he wished he had known earlier in his career, he said: 🗣️ "One thing I wish I had learned earlier in my career is that rejection is a regular experience for academics. Whether it be about entering the job market after your PhD, securing research funding, getting a book contract, or publishing in a highly respected journal, it is inevitable that there will be many rejections along the way." 👉 To read Peter's full Q&A and learn more about his current work, head here: https://lnkd.in/gxXBseZU

“As the longest NASPAA accredited MPA program in Chicagoland, we have attracted cohorts of talented and diligent young people who are eager to pursue management careers in public and nonprofit sectors.” Read our latest faculty spotlight article to learn more about UIC Professor Dr. Yonghong Wu and his online Economics for Management and Policy course. Read Now: go.uic.edu/MPAArticleWu

✏ New CAPE blog: Quid pro quo? Why academics meet with policy professionals In the latest CAPE blog, Patrick McAlary asks, what motivates academics to meet with policy makers and what exactly do they get out of these interactions? Read the blog: https://lnkd.in/e234_2sQ

How can we turn meaningful interactions into bigger conversations?

Our new article, "A Solution or a Problem? The Bologna Process in West Africa: Views from Local Scholars," has been published by the International Journal of African Higher Education. It focuses on local scholars' perceptions of the implementation of the Bologna Process in West African higher education. Here is the link to the article: https://lnkd.in/eeC46QGV Kurt De Wit Jef C. Verhoeven

Air transport is a global industry by nature, it cannot thrive without global talent.

Today we celebrate the launch of our new Strategic Plan of Impact - Shape, a vision of the U of A for the next decade. Learn more about how each person’s contribution to the University of Alberta gives shape to our future: uofa.ca/shape