Goal #11
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable
UNSW received outstanding scores for our sustainable practices on campus and our support of arts and heritage in the 2023 THE Impact Rankings. Our activities to support sustainable cities and communities is demonstrated through:
- Learning and teaching programs that inspire students to contribute to sustainable cities; safe and affordable housing and transport for students.
- Promoting sustainable commuting with an operational focus on ensuring our campuses are easily accessible, safe, and sustainable.
- Support for affordable housing, including Student Accommodation Scholarships. In 2021, UNSW’s COVID relief package provided subsidised student accommodation for low-income students in financial difficulty and assistance for staff via the Staff Hardship Fund.
- Advancing sustainable practices for new and refurbished buildings such as the Science and Engineering Building through the new UNSW Randwick Campus redevelopment scheme.
- Public access to UNSW Library, campus art, performances and green spaces. The revitalisation of Alumni Park was completed in consultation with the local Aboriginal Community and features Guruwaal 2021, which incorporates traditional carvings and totems to reflect how the area would have been used by the Bidjigal people.
- The City Futures Research Centre, which advances the understanding of cities, focusing on people, places, policies and technologies through research and partnerships. The Centre’s Housing theme activity includes analysis of housing affordability and private housing markets.
What are the features of a good or sustainable city?
Today, over half of the world’s population live in cities (3.5 billion) and by 2050 this figure is expected to rise to two thirds (6.5 billion). That means we need to build a new city for one million people each week to keep up, or manage the growth of the cities we already have. Cities are the powerhouses of economic growth, contributing over 80% of global GDP and functioning as catalysts for inclusion and innovation.
However, cities also account for about 70% of global energy consumption, greenhouse gas emission and resource consumption. The environmental impact of cities extends well beyond their borders. Sustainable development cannot be achieved without significantly transforming the way we build and manage our urban spaces.
City Futures Research Centre
Since 2005, the City Futures Research Centre has developed into a national leader in scholarly applied public interest research on our cities. In undertaking this research, they collaborate with a range of academic researchers, both within UNSW and at universities across Australia and overseas. Their applied focus involves strong partnerships with local, state and federal government agencies, as well as industry stakeholders and community groups, to develop evidence-based ideas for tackling the complex challenges of urban change and growth, while maintaining its commitment to independent public interest research.
UNSW Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability is a key element of our 2025 Strategy. Through this, we have made it our mission to become the first university in Australia to commit to having 100% of its electricity supplied by photovoltaic solar power. Our students and staff are actively engaged in environmental and social issues. We recognise that we are uniquely positioned to contribute to solving global environmental challenges through teaching, research, thought leadership and demonstrating leading practices on our campuses.
20%
Increase the percentage of staff and students commuting by active travel modes to 20% by 2022.
90%
of general waste diverted from landfill into recycling, composting and waste-to-energy.
Standards
Continue to offer interdisciplinary education in environmental management in line with the Learning and Teaching Academic Standards Statement for Environment and Sustainability.
UNSW Village Green Redevelopment
The vision for the Village Green redevelopment began in 2020 and was finalised in 2022. It has transformed the largest open space on the Kensington campus into a vibrant and connected place that provides inclusive and exceptional sporting, recreational, social and wellness opportunities where students, staff and the community can come together to play, exercise, socialise and relax.
Taking Control of Gentrification in South Sydney
This Nancy Hillier Memorial Lecture explored how communities can address challenges raised by increasing housing costs and outside investment in previously underserved areas. It brought together experts from the worlds of government, policy, academia, and activism including Ron Hoenig, NSW M.P.
UNSW 2025 Strategy Update
This document celebrates the key achievements of the first phase of the 2025 Strategy, highlighting where we have come from and where we are now. It also updates the framework against which we will assess, track and measure existing and new strategic initiatives over the next five years.
UNSW Indigenous Strategy
Led by the Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous, the Indigenous Strategy provides an overarching framework for Indigenous education, employment and research. Taking a whole-of-university approach means this strategic vision is implemented across all aspects of the University's operations.
UNSW Sustainable Development Goals 2022 Report
This report outlines UNSW's performance against the SDGs in 2022.
