Sterling Ranch–Sustainability and Education Research Center

Program Overview


Sterling RanchType: Vanderbilt Initiative Award (ViA)

This project is in the process of establishing a multifaceted sustainability test bed using the development of the Sterling Ranch planned city. Sterling Ranch represents a unique, dynamic opportunity for research and immersion learning for both undergraduate and graduate students. Initially, the Sterling Ranch Sustainability Test Bed will focus on 1) energy and cyber-physical systems, 2)education ecosystem, and 3) sustainability and environmental quality; each component will serve as a foundation to secure additional external research funding. Future expansion opportunities include community health, security, mobility, and archeology, creating opportunities for further multi-disciplinary engagement across Vanderbilt. Sterling Ranch is situated in Douglas County, Colorado, as an approved, 3,400-acre mixed-use, environmentally sustainable community development incorporating innovative technology and research in energy systems, environmental science, engineering and education. After a twenty-year build out, Sterling Ranch will include homeowners, businesses, schools, doctors, teachers, fire fighters, police officers, and will support the high technology growth corridor south of Denver.

Faculty Participants

Lead Faculty in bold

Peabody College

  • Claire Smrekar, Associate Professor, Dept. of Leadership, Policy & Organizations

School of Engineering

College of Arts & Science

  • John Ayers, Professor, Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences

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