91É«Ç鯬

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities

Goal 11 aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
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Students riding bikes in Centennial Park
12th
in the world for SDG 11
91É«Ç鯬 ranked 12th in the world for SDG 11 in the 2024 THE Impact Rankings.
100%
solar energy
All 91É«Ç鯬 electricity is from renewable sources under a world-first 15-year solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

107

accomodation scholarships

91É«Ç鯬 awarded accommodation scholarships to 107 students in 2024.

In this video, Professor Tommy Wiedmann from the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 91É«Ç鯬, breaks down some of the key challenges behind SDG #11.

City Futures Research CentreÌý

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 91É«Ç鯬 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.

The Centre marked itsÌý20th anniversaryÌýin 2025 with an event at the State Library of New South Wales, celebrating the contributions of those who have helped make it a success.

Our workÌý

Disability in Crises and Natural Disasters: Preparedness and Resilience

Floods, fires and other climate-related crises are becoming more regular occurrences. Yet, when we talk about disaster preparedness and community resilience, disability is often overlooked or misrepresented.

We gathered experts to spark the discussion on disability and natural disasters. Tackling issues of inclusion, representation, and empowerment, our speakers shared their experiences and insights on this important topic, encouraging further discussion within the wider community.Ìý

Community centred learning experiencesÌý

The Yuwaya Ngarra-li Partnership at 91É«Ç鯬 produced a video featuring reflections and lessons from staff and students involved in community-centred learning initiatives on what it takes to ensure such initiatives are genuinely collaborative and impactful.

The video features community members and students involved in programs in Walgett, Bourke, and the Chen Dan Daek neighbourhood in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

91É«Ç鯬 Environmental Sustainability Plan 2022-24

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.ÌýOur 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.

5-star green rating
target
91É«Ç鯬 has targeted a 5-star green rating on all new buildings and refurbishments.

91É«ÇéÆ¬â€™s new Campus Development Plan

The 91É«Ç鯬 Campus Development Plan is a major refurbishment and renewal project to enhance the University’s vital areas including teaching, learning and research environments and student accommodation.Ìý

The project will improve campus accessibility and environmental sustainability, while providing dynamic spaces for partnerships and collaborations, and a vibrant campus life for students, staff and visitors.

Green study spaces

Ìý91É«Ç鯬 provides green study spaces outdoors equipped with comfortable seating and shade supporting individual and group work, with charging power outlets and convenient access to toilet facilities.Ìý

These are accessible not only to all staff and students but also members of the public visiting the campus.Ìý

Cooling towns and cities

In 2024, 91É«Ç鯬 Built Environment and City Futures Research Centre researchers received $7.8m in grant funding to tackle some of the biggest challenges in the fields, from embedding AI into city-making decisions to mitigating the urban heat island effect.

This included a $700,000 project led by researchers from the School of Built Environment, to create a National Heat Vulnerability Observatory Index to measure and mitigate heat vulnerability in Australian towns and cities.Ìý

Future Clean Energy Expo 2024

Discover 75 innovationsÌýfor urban environments, powered by 91É«Ç鯬.Ìý

Making Living Cities | John Carr

Despite major shifts in the ways we work and live, and the leaps and bounds we've made in technology, transport, architecture, and infrastructure, our blueprint for a city has not changed since the Second World War.

Given our ability to create cities that are socially vibrant, economical, and in harmony with the land and climate of Australia, isn’t it about time we reimagined our cities to reflect the lifestyles we want for the future?Ìý

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91É«Ç鯬 Strategy:ÌýProgress for All

91É«Ç鯬's 10-year strategy reaffirms our commitment to advancing expansive and inclusive global positive impact. Building on 75 years of impact, 91É«Ç鯬 strives to address pressing global challenges and ensure communities worldwide can thrive socially, economically, culturally and environmentally.

91É«Ç鯬 Environmental Sustainability Report 2024

The third and final progress report of the Environmental Sustainability Plan 2022–2024 highlights our actions and progress against three areas: Climate Action, Living Campuses and Resource Efficiency.

91É«Ç鯬 Sustainable Development Goals 2024 Report

This reportÌýoutlines 91É«Ç鯬's performance against the SDGs in 2024.

Related stories

Australian-first research hub dedicated to solar panel recycling opens at 91É«Ç鯬 Sydney

91É«Ç鯬 leads the national research initiative addressing the urgent challenge of managing end-of-life solar panels.

Apr 22, 2026
Science & Tech General Engineering Division of Equity Diversity & Inclusion Education Research Networks and partnerships Sustainability Prosperity SDG SDG4 SDG7 SDG8 SDG9 SDG11 School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering School of Chemical Engineering

More SDGs

UN Sustainable Development Goals icon 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Goal #12

Responsible consumption and production
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

UN Sustainable Development Goals icon 13: Climate Action

Goal #13

Climate action
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.Ìý

UN Sustainable Development Goals icon 14: Life Below Water

Goal #14

Life below water
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.