Architects of Change: Empowering Sustainable Cities and Communities for a Resilient Future
Over half of humankind lives in rapidly expanding urban settlements without suitable shelter, climate protection, or access to civic services and infrastructure.
Our research supports sustainable cities to tackle global crises and deliver better physical environments providing socio-cultural, economic, and health benefits for people and their local communities.
Supporting Belfast’s Resilience Strategy’s ambition for ‘an inclusive, low-carbon, climate-resilient economy in a generation’, Architects of Change puts students from Ulster University’s School of Architecture and the Built Environment at the heart of developing and delivering a training programme to business leaders across the region.
At a Glance
Ulster University’s Sustainable Travel Plan outlines a clear commitment to reducing single-occupancy car journeys and encouraging more sustainable, healthier travel to and from campus. The plan promotes alternatives such as walking, cycling, public transport, and car-sharing. A range of supportive measures have been introduced, including secure cycle hubs with lockers and showers, electric vehicle charging points, and a car-share scheme. By shifting towards more sustainable transport, the University is reducing its environmental impact, supporting health and wellbeing, and contributing to wider regional sustainability goals.
Business travel has been identified as one of the University’s main environmental impacts. The Ulster University Travel, Expenses and Hospitality Policy, approved by the Senior Leadership Team in 2023, requires all staff to consider the associated environmental impacts of travel related carbon emissions and consider if journeys are necessary before booking travel. Staff are also encouraged to prioritise low-carbon travel options through sharing car journeys with colleagues attending the same meetings and scheduling more than one meeting on the day of travel to reduce the number of journeys undertaken.
A biennial Travel Survey is completed by staff and students; recent results showcased the impact of sustainable travel initiatives at the Belfast Campus, with only 18% of students and 31% of staff commuting by car. In 2025, for the first time, business travel questions were included within the survey to provide insight into the frequency, mode, and purpose of work-related travel. This data will help inform future strategies to reduce emissions and support the University’s wider sustainability and net-zero commitments.
Ulster University is actively supporting the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) through a combination of on-campus charging facilities and a staff Salary Sacrifice scheme. EV charging points are available across all campuses, providing staff with convenient access to sustainable transport options during the working day. The EV Salary Sacrifice scheme allows eligible staff to lease a brand-new electric vehicle, making EVs more financially accessible and supporting the University’s broader sustainability goals by reducing emissions associated with staff commuting. Alongside this, Ulster University Estates Patrol vehicles alongside the Direct Works fleet have been transitioned from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric.
Ulster University achieved gold status as an accredited Cycle Friendly Employer. The accreditation was carried out by Cycling UK, who audited Ulster University on efforts to make the university campuses cycle friendly. Ulster scored highly on the cycle hub facilities, which include secure bicycle parking, lockers, showers, and bike repair services, alongside active travel information, communication, and incentives for employees.
Ulster University takes part in the annual Active Travel Challenge, a month-long initiative in June designed to encourage staff and students to swap car journeys for walking, cycling, or public transport. In 2024, Ulster University was recognised as the top-performing higher education provider across Northern Ireland, contributing to collective savings of approximately £16,000 and nearly 13 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. This active travel push aligns with the University’s broader sustainability goals, outlined in our Environmental Sustainability Action Plan, which aim to reduce single-occupancy car travel and Scope 3 emissions by promoting healthier, eco-friendly commuting habits.
