About Veil
Veil: Pioneering Sustainable and Resilient Future Cities
The Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL) is a research-design-action group that has been at the forefront of innovation for more sustainable and resilient future cities. The interdisciplinary group's work is engaged with and embedded in industry, government, and communities. VEIL's mission is to create a better world by designing innovative solutions that address the challenges of urbanization, climate change, resource depletion, and social inequality.
VEIL was founded in 2007 by Dr. Dominique Hes and Dr. Suzie Attiwill as a response to the urgent need for sustainable urban development. Since then, VEIL has grown into a leading research organization that collaborates with various stakeholders to develop practical solutions for complex problems facing our cities.
One of VEIL's core strengths lies in its interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving. The team comprises experts from diverse fields such as architecture, engineering, environmental science, sociology, economics, and policy analysis. This diversity enables VEIL to tackle complex issues from multiple perspectives while ensuring that their solutions are practical and effective.
VEIL's work spans across various areas such as energy efficiency in buildings; sustainable transport systems; water management; waste reduction; green infrastructure; community engagement; policy development; and education & training programs.
Energy Efficiency in Buildings:
Buildings account for over 40% of global energy consumption and contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore improving energy efficiency in buildings is crucial for reducing carbon footprint while also saving costs on energy bills.
VEIL works with building owners/managers/developers to identify opportunities for improving energy efficiency through retrofitting measures such as insulation upgrades or installation of renewable energy systems like solar panels or wind turbines.
Sustainable Transport Systems:
Transportation accounts for around 23% of global greenhouse gas emissions making it one of the largest contributors to climate change. Therefore developing sustainable transport systems is essential for reducing carbon footprint and improving air quality.
VEIL works with local governments, transport authorities, and private companies to develop sustainable transport solutions such as electric vehicles, bike-sharing schemes, and public transport systems that run on renewable energy.
Water Management:
Water scarcity is a growing concern in many parts of the world due to climate change and population growth. Therefore developing sustainable water management practices is crucial for ensuring access to clean water for all.
VEIL works with communities, businesses, and governments to develop innovative solutions for water management such as rainwater harvesting systems or greywater recycling systems that can reduce demand on freshwater resources.
Waste Reduction:
Waste generation is a significant environmental problem that contributes to pollution of landfills and oceans. Therefore reducing waste generation through recycling or composting is essential for protecting the environment.
VEIL works with communities, businesses, and governments to develop waste reduction strategies such as zero-waste initiatives or circular economy models that promote reuse of materials instead of disposal.
Green Infrastructure:
Green infrastructure refers to natural or semi-natural features like parks, green roofs/walls that provide multiple benefits such as improving air quality; reducing urban heat island effect; enhancing biodiversity; providing recreational spaces; etc. Therefore developing green infrastructure is essential for creating more livable cities.
VEIL works with local governments and developers to incorporate green infrastructure into urban planning processes by providing design guidelines or conducting feasibility studies for specific projects.
Community Engagement:
Community engagement plays a vital role in ensuring the success of sustainability initiatives by fostering ownership among stakeholders. VEIL recognizes this importance and therefore engages with communities throughout their projects' lifecycle from planning through implementation stages.
Policy Development:
Developing policies that support sustainability goals requires an understanding of complex interrelationships between various factors like economic development; social equity; environmental protection; etc. VEIL's interdisciplinary team brings together expertise from different fields enabling them to develop policies that are practical while also addressing these complex issues effectively.
Education & Training Programs:
VEIL recognizes the importance of education and training in creating a more sustainable future. Therefore they offer various programs such as workshops, seminars, and online courses that provide knowledge and skills necessary for implementing sustainability initiatives.
In conclusion, VEIL is a pioneering organization that has been at the forefront of innovation for more sustainable and resilient future cities. Their interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving enables them to develop practical solutions that address complex issues effectively. VEIL's work spans across various areas such as energy efficiency in buildings; sustainable transport systems; water management; waste reduction; green infrastructure; community engagement; policy development; and education & training programs. By collaborating with various stakeholders, VEIL is creating a better world by designing innovative solutions that address the challenges of urbanization, climate change, resource depletion, and social inequality.
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