SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities
107
accomodation scholarships
UNSW awarded accommodation scholarships to 107 students in 2024.
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.
The Centre marked its 20th anniversary in 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 work
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.
Community centred learning experiences
The Yuwaya Ngarra-li Partnership at UNSW 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.
UNSW 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. 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.
UNSW’s new Campus Development Plan
The UNSW 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.
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
UNSW 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.
These are accessible not only to all staff and students but also members of the public visiting the campus.
Cooling towns and cities
In 2024, UNSW 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.
Future Clean Energy Expo 2024
Discover 75 innovations for urban environments, powered by UNSW.
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?
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 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.
UNSW Sustainable Development Goals 2024 Report
This report outlines UNSW's performance against the SDGs in 2024.
