Project Location(s): Ann Arbor, Michigan

Current Focus: This year we are working with the University's Carbon Neutrality plan and Ann Arbor's A2Zero to pursue projects which help local climate goals. We have a variety of sub-teams working on different aspects of carbon neutrality including:
  • Covering Campus–Soon hosting our first tree planting event, sponsored by Planet Blue, in November to help the University reach 60% canopy cover by 2030. This fall we will be preparing for this event and planning future events. Fill out this form if you want to receive more information about this event.
  • Data Visualization–Creating GIS visualizations of carbon offsets by sustainability projects around campus and in the city, starting with Covering Campus tree planting.
  • Waste Reduction–Collection of initiatives to reduce landfilled waste on campus: implementing FreeCycle, residential composting, battery and electronic drop-off collections.
  • SEAS Facilities–Analysis of the Dana building's compostable toilet system to improve its system and logistics.
  • Bryant Electrification–Help Ann Arbor's Bryant neighborhood become one of the first carbon neutral community in the US.

Mission: Our mission is to co-design technology to address community identified needs, amplifying the voices of community members that are most impacted by systemic local shortcomings. As a multidisciplinary student-run design team, we focus on sustainable, socially-engaged designs created through strong community partnerships, empowering the people that we work with.

Team Goals: BLUEM focuses first on co-design through cooperation with our community partners in all projects. To do this, we follow the fundamentals of socially-engaged design: an iterative process where community members are at the center of the decision-making, problem identification, and development of solutions. To maximize the effectiveness and impact of our work, we incorporate the environmental, human, social, and economic aspects of sustainability. Using these techniques lead to designs with greater contextual awareness and a greater chance of long-term success.

Contact:
bluelabmetro-requests​@umich.edu

For updates on BLUElab Metro Project, follow them on Twitter and Instagram, or visit their website!