Our research
One of our core academic research themes is Environment and a vast range of our research has some connectivity to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
A number of our research centres are dedicated to researching topics that support SDG11, such as the Tourism Research Centre and Centre for Business Innovations and Sustainable Solutions and the Transport Research Institute. Our Institute for Sustainable Construction comprises some of Scotland’s leading built environment applied research and knowledge transfer centres.
We also host Built Environment - Smarter Transformation (BE-ST) with its mission to accelerate the built environment’s transition to zero carbon emission and the HC Skills Gateway, which is focused on building inclusive and sustainable construction careers in Edinburgh and South East Scotland.
The following are just a few examples of impact case studies that are connected to SDG11:
Curriculum
Many of our programmes have a connection to SDG11. We are currently in the process of mapping these, and more information will be provided shortly.
Our Energy & Environmental Engineering course was the first in Scotland to focus specifically on energy, renewables and carbon accounting.
Related news & events
Other examples of our areas of focus in line with SDG11
Arts & Heritage
We provide public access to the Merchiston Tower (home to John Napier, the inventor of logarithms) and the Craiglockhart War Poets collection. A key section of our Craiglockhart Campus was used historically as a World War One hospital. Poets such as Wilfred Owen and Siegfreid Sassoon wrote and were inspired to write what is believed to be some of the greatest war poetry. There is a special collection at the campus providing a permanent display open to the public. Group and guided visits can also be arranged.
Libraries
General access to our buildings and library spaces, is available to the public for free during the University’s unrestricted hours, while members of the public may have free reference access to print collections and study spaces for their own educational purposes, however they need to apply for library membership.
Green spaces
Members of the public are invited to enjoy the grounds of our Craiglockhart, Merchiston and Sighthill campuses. Access is entirely open, and we have worked with our neighbours including the City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh College at our Sighthill campus to create and support off-road routes for people walking, wheeling, cycling and using public transport to access our campus. The Lions’ Gate permaculture garden is also open to the public with regular outreach and community events organised.
Sustainable commuting
We have an array of measures to support all forms of travel to and from all campuses and student accommodation sites. All three of our campuses now hold Cycle Friendly Campus accreditation.