SDG 11 - Teaching
Education empowers students to shape sustainable communities. At Ulster University, teaching equips students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to support resilient urban development, inclusive infrastructure, and thriving communities.
Undergraduate Courses
Postgraduate Courses
SDG 11 - Research
Research drives the creation of sustainable, resilient, and inclusive communities. At Ulster University, research explores urban planning, sustainable infrastructure, and community development, generating evidence that informs policy, practice, and innovation for thriving cities and communities.
Research Stories
- How can cities accelerate, support and evaluate actions for active movement for health: protocol for CITY-MOVE, a multicase implementation research study in six cities in three continents
- Can Creative Community Engagement Inspire Hope? Exploring Sustainability Challenges with Young People in Youth Settings Through a Design Thinking Lens
- Walkable and Sustainable City Centre Greenway Planning
- Assessing urbanization and climate change impacts on environmental sustainability in Gilgit city, Pakistan: a driver-pressure-state-impact-response framework approach
Centre for Research in Property and Planning
Ulster University’s Centre for Research on Property and Planning (RPP) is a globally recognised leader in examining how property, planning, regeneration, housing, and urban development shape equitable and sustainable places. RPP produces high-impact research, ranging from econometric analyses of housing markets and real estate valuation to planning policy reform, GIS-based spatial planning, infrastructure resilience, and community-led urban regeneration.
SDG 11 - Partnerships
Delivering sustainable, resilient, and inclusive communities requires strong partnerships. At Ulster University, collaborations with local authorities, industry, community organisations, and research networks support urban innovation, inclusive infrastructure, and thriving communities.
Partnership Stories
SDG 11 - Operations
Operational practices are central to creating sustainable and inclusive communities. At Ulster University, we implement sustainable campus infrastructure, efficient resource management, and accessible facilities, ensuring our campuses and activities contribute to resilient, safe, and inclusive environments.
Sustainable Travel Plan
Ulster University’s Sustainable Travel Plan demonstrates its commitment to reducing single-occupancy car journeys and encouraging healthier, more sustainable commuting to and from its campuses. The plan promotes walking, cycling, public transport and car-sharing through a range of practical measures and facilities. These include secure cycle hubs with bicycle parking, lockers, showers and repair facilities, electric vehicle charging points and a staff car-share scheme. By providing infrastructure and incentives that make sustainable travel more accessible and convenient, the University aims to reduce transport-related environmental impacts, improve health and wellbeing, and contribute to wider regional sustainability objectives.
Active Travel Challenge
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, reducing single-occupancy car travel and Scope 3 emissions by promoting healthier, eco-friendly commuting habits.
Translink 'Better on Board' Charter
Ulster University is signed up to Translink’s Better on Board Charter, a commitment aimed at increasing the use of public transport among staff and students. As a key partner, Ulster University has pledged to promote bus and rail travel, helping ease congestion, improve air quality, and support Northern Ireland’s shift toward greener, more sustainable transport options.
Cycle Friendly Employer
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.
Travel Survey
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.
Business Travel
Business travel has been identified as one of the University’s main environmental impacts. The Ulster University Travel, Expenses and Hospitality Policy 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.
Electric Vehicles
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.
Public Access to Campus
Public Access to Buildings
Ulster University provides public access to buildings, facilities and natural and cultural heritage across its campuses, supporting its commitment to creating an open and inclusive environment where campuses are shared spaces for the wider community. Members of the public can access a range of university facilities, including reception areas, libraries, cafés, restaurants, sports facilities, campus grounds and shops.
The Coleraine campus is particularly rich in archaeological and natural heritage, with evidence of early human settlement dating back over 9,000 years, medieval forts and the remains of an abandoned 18th-century village. The University also provides opportunities for the public to explore its heritage through woodland trails, gardens and arboretums, alongside free public heritage events and guided and self-guided tours that showcase the history, archaeology and natural environment of the estate.
Public Access to Libraries
Through its Civic Access Borrowers Scheme, Ulster University extends access to its library services and extensive academic, educational and research collections to members of the public, promoting lifelong learning and enabling wider community access to the University's knowledge and learning resources beyond its student and staff population.
Non-university visitors can also consult the University's Special Collections and Rare Books at Coleraine and Magee, providing opportunities to explore historical and cultural research materials.
Public Access to Museums
The University also promotes public engagement with art, history and cultural heritage through exhibitions and collections. The Belfast campus Art Gallery hosts free exhibitions featuring contemporary art, textiles and cultural themes.
The annual Belfast School of Art Graduate Showcase is open to the public, offering free access to a diverse range of creative work across fine art, photography, textiles, ceramics and design. Alongside this, the public can attend the Graduate Fashion Show, which celebrates emerging talent and showcases innovative fashion design by the University’s graduating students.
In addition, the University has hosted free public exhibitions at its Derry~Londonderry campus exploring significant aspects of Northern Ireland’s cultural and political heritage, including John Hume’s contribution to the peace process.
Public Access to Green Spaces
Ulster University's campuses provide public access to open green spaces, walking routes and outdoor recreational facilities, supporting community wellbeing, physical activity and engagement with the natural environment. The grounds at Coleraine, Derry~Londonderry and Jordanstown are used by members of the public for walking, running and recreation, including the Coleraine Woodland Walk, situated within the campus grounds alongside the River Bann, and the Jordanstown walking trail, which connects the University's Sports Village with the Loughshore coastal path. These spaces are particularly popular with local dog walkers, running clubs and community groups, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and connection with nature. The University's outdoor sports facilities are also used by local church groups, children's sports teams and clubs, and Easter and summer activity schemes, extending access to recreational space and opportunities for physical activity beyond the University community.
Arts and Heritage Contribution
In 2024/25, Ulster University provided extensive opportunities for public engagement through free and paid events. Free activities included 36,268 public lectures, 24,671 performing arts performances (including music, dance and drama), 3,452 exhibitions in galleries and museums, 1,272 museum education events and 169,557 other free events. In addition, the University hosted 1,259 charged public lectures, 280 charged performing arts performances, 1,836 exhibitions with an admission charge, 120 charged museum education events and 27,840 other charged events. These activities demonstrate the University's contribution to cultural, educational and community engagement, providing opportunities for the public to access learning, arts and cultural experiences.
- Source: HESA
Recording and Preserving Cultural Heritage
Ulster University delivers projects to record, preserve and share intangible cultural heritage, including local folklore, language, traditions and community experiences.
The Ulster Irish Digital Corpus preserves recordings of spoken Ulster Irish and regional dialects, while the Supernatural in Ulster Scots Literature and Folklore project documents historical beliefs, songs, poetry and folklore through an online resource. The Rathlin Island oral histories project records community stories, traditional knowledge and island life, while the Digitising Maritime Heritage of Portbraddan project uses digital technologies to preserve knowledge of traditional salmon fishing and coastal heritage.
The University also maintains archival resources documenting Irish Traveller history, customs, language and music. Additionally, its CAIN Archive supports research into migration, displacement and community experiences associated with the Northern Ireland conflict, helping preserve diverse historical narratives for future generations.
Ulster University supports the preservation and celebration of Irish traditional culture through its annual Belfast TradFest Summer School, established in 2017, which offers traditional music, song and dance tuition, workshops and masterclasses, helping pass cultural skills between generations. In August 2026, the University also supported Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, hosting educational activities and traditional music and dance tuition through Scoil Éigse. These initiatives provide opportunities for communities and visitors to experience, learn and participate in Ireland’s living cultural heritage.
Affordable Housing
Ulster University provides a range of affordable accommodation options across its Belfast, Coleraine, Derry~Londonderry campuses for students and PhD research staff, with utilities included in the rent to help residents manage their budgets. The University offers purpose-built residences, student villages, apartments and shared houses to suit different needs and preferences. Accommodation includes en-suite and studio options, shared kitchens and communal living spaces, social and study facilities, laundry services and secure bicycle storage.
The University supports students' and PhD research staff's wellbeing and sense of belonging through its Residential Life (ResLife) service, providing 24-hour security, pastoral and wellbeing support, and social activities that help establish connections and build a sense of community. Accommodation is designed to support independent living within a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment, with options located on or close to university facilities and local amenities.
The University also offers an Accommodation Voucher to eligible new students, converting an Access Bursary of approximately £475 into a £1,000 contribution towards accommodation costs, helping reduce the financial barrier to university housing.
Prioritising Pedestrian Access On-Campus
Ulster University prioritises safe, accessible and well-connected pedestrian movement across its campuses and the surrounding areas. The University has worked closely with the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) over a number of years to improve pedestrian infrastructure and prioritise pedestrian safety and access. Improvements include:
- Upgrading the pedestrian crossing at Frederick Street.
- Improving lighting along York Street.
- Ongoing pedestrianisation of York Lane.
- Securing a new pedestrian crossing on Strand Road, which is currently being installed.
- Improving the York Street/Great Patrick Street/Frederick Street junction through widened pedestrian islands, removal of the left-turn slipway from Great Frederick Street and changes to lighting phasing to give greater priority to pedestrians.
- Relocating the York Street bus stop and widening the pavement outside Blocks BC and BD to improve pedestrian movement.
- Improving wayfinding and signage between the Belfast campus, student accommodation and York Street railway station.
Within its campuses, the University also takes measures to support pedestrian safety and improve the separation of pedestrians and vehicles. These include regular car park risk assessments; improved barriers, lining and signage; installation and maintenance of traffic-calming ramps; and ongoing maintenance of paving, lighting and pedestrian crossings.
A wider staff and student safety initiative is also being developed, with a focus on personal safety across campus and potential opportunities to further strengthen pedestrian safety and accessibility.
Local Authority Collaboration Regarding Planning and Development
Ulster University works in partnership with local authorities, government and community stakeholders to address planning and development challenges. The Magee Campus Expansion Taskforce Report and Action Plan brought together the University, Derry City and Strabane District Council, the Department for the Economy and other regional partners to coordinate plans for growth. A key priority was ensuring that increased student numbers were supported by sufficient, affordable and accessible accommodation, while managing pressure on the city's existing housing market and protecting the needs of local communities.
The University’s Teaching and Student Centre development, supported by the Government of Ireland's Shared Island Fund, incorporates modern teaching facilities, student support services and social spaces, contributing to the wider regeneration and educational growth of the city. The University also engages with local communities as the campus expands, ensuring development is responsive to local needs. The Taskforce report specifically recognises that increasing student numbers must be matched by sufficient, affordable and accessible accommodation. It calls for the Council to work with the University and partners to address community concerns and ensure sustainable benefits for the city. This provides a framework for managing pressure on local housing availability and affordability alongside campus growth.
Building on Brownfield Sites
Ulster University supports urban regeneration and the efficient use of land by prioritising development on previously developed urban sites. The Phase 2 development of the School of Medicine at the Derry~Londonderry campus comprises new teaching and research facilities on a brownfield waterfront site on Strand Road, contributing to the wider regeneration and placemaking of the Strand Road waterfront area in partnership with Derry City and Strabane District Council.
Similarly, the Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology (CDHT), funded through the Belfast Region City Deal, is located on Frederick Street in Belfast city centre, on the footprint of the former Northland House building. Located adjacent to the University's Belfast campus, the six-storey facility brings previously developed urban land into productive use while strengthening connections with the surrounding campus and city centre.
Together, these projects demonstrate the University's commitment to urban regeneration, making effective use of existing developed sites and delivering new educational, research and innovation infrastructure.
