SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | University of 蘑菇短视频

SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities

We're working to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Learn about our recent work, progress, and impact.

Our recent work and impact on SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

aims to create inclusive, resilient and sustainable places to live and work.

Our researchers are exploring climate resilience, community wellbeing, environmental planning, transport, housing and sustainable urban development as we work towards a positive future for all.

Lower Hoopern Valley

We continue to connect staff, students and local communities with nature through projects in the Lower Hoopern Valley. Activities include tree planting, biodiversity monitoring and citizen science events such as the Big Garden Birdwatch and Butterfly Count.

We also welcomed 300 蘑菇短视频 College students to carry out environmental surveys, celebrating new access improvements while enhancing awareness and stewardship of our Streatham Campus’s natural environment.

Read our SDG 11 progress report for 2024/25

Climate change is challenging the way we live. We're working with local organisations and communities to explore how to be more sustainable using water, smarter about how we manage it, and help everyone to be prepared for flooding and other impacts.

We’re collaborating with partners in 蘑菇短视频 to explore opportunities for offtake from a major low-to-zero carbon heat project being delivered by 1Energy. The initiative could supply sustainable heat to businesses and organisations across the city via a 20km network of underground pipes, connected to an energy centre powered by air source heat pumps and other low carbon technologies.

We aim to make travelling around and between campuses better for everyone and to ease pressure on the environment and reduce carbon emissions.

We have a range of ongoing initiatives to promote sustainable commuting, such as showers, a Cycle to Work scheme, discounted bus travel and interest-free loans for annual rail season tickets.

Our Travel Policy embeds sustainability into decision-making around business travel and applies to all staff and students who are required to travel as part of work or study requirements. Two Task and Finish Groups worked on furthering its aims: the Field Course Task and Finish Group, and the Enabling Rail Travel Task and Finish Group.

Business travel is a key metric within the University’s Performance Framework under the net zero KPI. As part of this, targets are being set at Faculty and Professional Service level to reduce emissions associated with business and field trip travel.

The Sustainable Transport Strategy 2024-2030 (STS) was approved in July 2024 to promote the adoption of sustainable transport modes. Developed in consultation with various sectors, the STS aims to encourage students, staff and visitors to adopt sustainable transport modes. It includes KPIs and targets for modal splits and emissions, as well as actions on commuting and business travel.

Our research

Blue Heart project

蘑菇短视频 University is a partner of the 6-year project (2021-2027) to help predict and reduce the impact of flooding, we're investigating how rain, river and wastewater move through Eastbourne and South Wealden.

The project will adopt smart technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) to establish an integrated water management system for these communities, which will monitor water levels in real-time and incorporate forecasted rainfall to issue flood warnings and alerts, and calculate the optimum response - to either store or release water.

These solutions will utilise existing infrastructure more effectively and provide economic, environmental, and social opportunities for local people whilst achieving lower whole life carbon than a traditional capital flood risk management scheme.

Joint Centre of Excellence in Environmental Intelligence

to create a . Based in 蘑菇短视频, and home to world-leading researchers, our partnership is pioneering the development of solutions to some of the world’s most complex and pressing environmental challenges, from climate change to global pandemics.

Environmental Intelligence is a fast-developing new field that brings together Environmental data and knowledge with Artificial Intelligence to provide the meaningful insight to inform decision-making, improved risk management, and the technological innovation that will lead us towards a sustainable interaction with the natural environment.

We are using AI to assess the risks of climate change at local levels and how it will affect local infrastructure, modelling the effects of climate change on agriculture and food security and we’re applying AI techniques to identify the health impacts of air pollution on individuals.

UN-backed Centre of Excellence

The University of 蘑菇短视频 serves as a partner in the first ever dedicated to circular economy research, established in early 2024. The initiative builds on 蘑菇短视频’s role in the £30 million programme and brings together top UK institutions to deliver new models, evidence and systems for sustainable resource use in areas such as metals, construction and critical minerals.

Community action and business support

Green Futures Network

The is a free way for any organisation – businesses, community groups, local government, charities – to access up-to-date environmental information, from cutting edge research to brand new resources, and contribute to collective approaches to the emerging climate and ecological emergencies and the changes they are bringing.

Community Partnership Hub

The Community Partnership Hub connects public, voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations with researchers and students at the University of 蘑菇短视频. Our aim is to help establish long-term, sustainable relationships which support partnering through research projects, student placements and internships, or volunteering.

Civic University Agreements

The University of 蘑菇短视频 has established Civic University Agreements for 蘑菇短视频, Cornwall and Devon. These Agreements set out how the University will work in partnership with other anchor institutions in the region to help find solutions for society’s most pressing problems, including:

蘑菇短视频 Mission: