The University of calgary
school of architecture, planning and landscape presents
BDCI: LAUNCHPAD
a one-week scholar induction for incoming students
SPONSORED IN PART BY PARADOX INTERACTIVE
About
BDCI students (‘27) during BDCI: Launchpad (PF, Calgary, 2023).
BDCI: Launchpad is a one-week SAPL scholar induction for incoming BDCI students aimed at building connections, fostering community and jumpstarting one’s collegiate experience.
BDCI: Launchpad is co-organized by SAPL Faculty, Staff and BDCI Students committed to providing a strong foundation to the incoming class (‘28) of the Bachelor of Design in City Innovation (BDCI) Program. Conceived as an “orientation”-style events program, BDCI: Launchpad brings together teaching-team-led academic activities, student-led college readiness workshops, and an ADU-led City Game-A-Thon—sponsored in part by Paradox Interactive.
BDCI: Launchpad takes place during the first week of class and culminates on the first Monday of the semester (September 3-9, 2024).
*All participating students must register through the University of Calgary’s Active Living portal above.
Open to the INCOMING CLASS of BDCI STUDENTS (‘28).
Why Design in City Innovation?
Design Installation by Prof. Mauricio Soto-Rubio (BDCI F24 Y2 Coordinator) and SAPL grad students at the City Building Design Lab, SAPL’s Downtown Campus (Calgary, 2021).
“If we look at the big problems and challenges in the world today — climate change and social injustice — they are grounded in the built environment, in the relation between people, and how they interact with the environment, their cities, their spaces and each other. This program came about because we identified that there’s a significant knowledge and skills gap to address these critical challenges.”
Structure + Participation
BDCI: Launchpad brings together teaching-team-led academic activities, staff- and student-led college readiness workshops, and an ADU-led City Game-A-Thon—sponsored in part by Paradox Interactive.
The teaching-team-led academic activities are mandatory for all incoming BDCI students as they are occurring during class time for DSGN 201, DSGN 211, DSGN 221, DSGN 231, and DSGN 241. Students are only responsible to attend the sessions that correspond to the times of their enrolled courses.
The remainder of the BDCI: Launchpad programming is optional, but highly* encouraged.
*Note: Please see FAQ section below for more information about the BDCI: Lauchpad and the City Game-A-Thon.
BDCI students (‘27) preparing for the City Game-A-Thon Showcase (PF, Calgary, 2023).
Schedule
*Note: Unless otherwise stated, all BDCI: Launchpad events will take place in the BDCI 1st Year Studio [PF 2130]. All events in dark green will provide food.
BDCI students (‘27) after a holiday gift exchange on Pajama Day (PF, Calgary, 2023).
About the CITY INNOVATION STUDENT ASSOCIATION (CISA)
The City Innovation Student Association (CISA) is SAPL’s undergraduate student group tasked with representing the academic and extracurricular interests of BDCI students. Helmed by SAPL’s Student Union (SU) Representative and an Executive Team of BDCI students and BDCI Class Representatives, CISA is responsible for organizing various BDCI social events both in and outside the classroom. Whether it is a group visit to a Karaoke Bar, an in-studio Movie Night, or Pajama Day, CISA events compliment SAPL’s collegiate experience by fostering community, connection and wellness.
For more information on how to join CISA and participate in undergraduate student governance at SAPL, all new BDCI students are invited to a Fall 2024 Info Session on Thursday, September 5 at 10:30am in PF 2130 as part of BDCI: Launchpad.
Pre-Semester Preparation
BDCI Program Information
To best prepare for the start of the semester, don’t miss the BDCI resources below!
Laptop + Software Recommendations
For successful completion of the BDCI program, students are required to have access to a computer. Students will need to have reliable access to:
A desktop or laptop with a supported operating system, as well as the latest security, and malware updates
An updated web browser
Webcam/Camera (built-in or external)
Microphone and speaker (built-in or external), or headset with microphone
Current antivirus and/or firewall software enabled
Stable internet connection
Course instructors decide on what is needed to deliver course material most effectively, and the above technologies may not be required for every course, and/or may be used in different ways. Details can be found in specific course outlines. For the 2024-2025 Academic School Year, a computer lab at SAPL’s Main Campus (Professional Faculties Building) will also be available for student use.
For additional guidance and recommendations on ideal laptop specs, please visit the link below.
City Game-A-Thon
About Event
The City Game-A-Thon is structured as an intensive and team-based design charette occurring inside a video game. Following in the footsteps of events like hackathons or make-a-thons, the City Game-A-Thon will challenge students to deploy transdisciplinary thinking, team work, and design strategy towards the creation of a fictional city. The City Game-A-Thon is sponsored in part by Paradox Interactive.
Participating students will receive a free license, via Steam, for Cities: Skylines.
About City: Skylines
Cities: Skylines is a modern take on the classic city simulation genre. The game introduces new game play elements to realize the thrill and hardships of creating and maintaining a real city whilst expanding on some well-established tropes of the city building experience. From the makers of the Cities in Motion franchise, the game boasts a fully realized transport system. It also includes the ability to mod the game to suit your play style as a fine counter balance to the layered and challenging simulation. You're only limited by your imagination, so take control and reach for the sky!
“The game is a single-player open-ended city-building simulation. Players engage in urban planning by controlling zoning, road placement, taxation, public services, and public transportation of an area. They also work to manage various elements of the city, including its budget, health, employment, traffic, and pollution levels.”
BDCI: Launchpad FAQs
The full list of FAQs will be updated before the start of BDCI: Launchpad.
What do I need during BDCI: Launchpad?
As BDCI: Launchpad takes place during the first week of class, we would recommend you prepare to bring to BDCI: Launchpad what you would have already needed for a day at school: backpack, personal items, headphones, etc. Certain events will provide food, and the City Game-A-Thon events will make use of a laptop.
Do I need to take notes during BDCI: Launchpad?
BDCI: Launchpad is a SAPL scholar induction for incoming BDCI students aimed at building connections, fostering community and jumpstarting one’s collegiate experience. In that context, taking notes is not required, but encouraged (particularly during class-wide discussions).
Is food provided during BDCI: Launchpad?
We are excited to offer food as part of certain events of BDCI: Launchpad. Those are listed in dark green in the schedule above.
Contact Us
If you have questions about BDCI: Launchpad that are not aswered above, please feel free to contact us via the form below.