Posted on July 12, 2025
Post categories: Architecture Climate Community
In a powerful example of how design can drive environmental and social change, Architecture Professors Narjes Abbasabadi and Christopher Meek of the College of Built Environments (CBE) have received a Tier 3 pilot research grant from the Population Health Initiative to expand DecarbCityTwin 2.0—a digital platform that supports equitable building decarbonization.
Part of nearly $900,000 in funding awarded to four interdisciplinary teams this spring, the project reflects CBE’s commitment to shaping healthier, more resilient communities through research and innovation.
DecarbCityTwin 2.0 builds on previous work funded by the Population Health Initiative. The platform leverages digital twin technology, real-time data, AI/ML, advanced simulations, and virtual reality tools to guide building retrofit decisions—prioritizing both energy efficiency and community health, especially in neighborhoods disproportionately impacted by pollution.
“Our built environment plays a critical role in shaping both health outcomes and climate resilience,” said Abbasabadi. “This grant allows us to work more closely with communities and city partners to co-create data-informed, inclusive strategies for decarbonization.”
The team’s first focus is Seattle’s Duwamish Valley, where aging infrastructure and industrial pollution continue to affect residents’ well-being. In collaboration with Daniel Kirschen from UW Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mehdi Ashayeri from Southern Illinois University (SIU) Architecture, as well as Ani Krishnan from the City of Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment and and Paulina López and Joseph Santana from the Duwamish River Community Coalition, the team will use the platform to inform action on the ground.
“This project is about more than improving building performance,” Meek said. “It’s about empowering communities with tools and knowledge to drive long-term sustainability and well-being.”
By uniting architecture, engineering, public health, and community leadership, DecarbCityTwin 2.0 shows how design research can serve as a powerful force for justice, resilience, and health in the places we call home.