SDG #11: Sustainable cities and communities

Discover all publications related to the sustainable development goal "Sustainable Cities and Communities" on the UNamur research portal.

Corporate initiatives

Sustainable mobility

This is a key concern for UNamur. Several initiatives related to mobility have been taken by our institution.

• The Corporate Mobility Plan (CMP) is the first milestone on the road to more sustainable mobility. Find out more...
• Bike parking for students and staff. 
• At the BUMP, in October 2023, a parking and charging point for electric scooters will be installed in the entrance hall. All you have to do is install your scooter, which will be secured using a code. A locker is also available for your helmet. This facility is currently being tested. The aim? To identify the expectations of members of the university community in this area.
• Free public transport season tickets for UNamur staff members.

Energy efficiency

Reducing gas, electricity and heating oil consumption in all the institution's buildings through various measures. Read more

Carbon footprint

UNamur has embarked on a carbon audit which will be published in 2024. This assessment will help to identify courses of action to make the university even more sustainable. Find out more about the sustainable campus...Learn more about the sustainable campus

Building construction, renovation and maintenance

When working on projects, SIGeC is careful to seize opportunities to apply sustainable development to the construction and maintenance of buildings:

• designing a building in line with sustainable development at the time of construction by recommending optimal use of modular spaces
• properly insulating the walls of relatively traditional buildings

A first example: installation of solar panels at the Haugimont Estate lodging.

Another concrete example: the renovation of the BUMP, which will have photovoltaic panels and whose energy consumption will be reduced by 50%. More info here

The Moretus Plantin University Library (BUMP)

Virtual exhibitions, manuscript reserves, maps, incunabula, podcasts... The BUMP offers a wide range of free virtual resources. Learn more

The BUMP also offers in-person exhibitions. For example, The Glory of the "Walloons", which tells the story of the Belgians who joined the Austrian troops in the 18th century. The exhibition is based on the library's heritage collections, enhanced by period objects and documents on loan from the Royal Army Museum, the State Archives and Ghent University.

Le Domaine d'Haugimont

Situated in the heart of the Condruzian countryside, the Haugimont Estate lies in the commune of Gesves, 18 km south-east of Namur. Since 1978, it has been an exceptional teaching and research centre for students and scientists from the University of Namur. It is also open to the public and to schools for training, discovery and leisure activities. Several projects are worth noting:

• "Pro Silva" forest management: the University of Namur received the 2016 Environment Prize from the Fonds Baillet Latour. The prize was awarded for the Pro Silva forest management of the Domaine of Haugimont. Read more
• Authorized nature reserve project

The BioKot

The Bio-Kot is a student residence supported by the UNamur. The students work for the preservation of the environment. Read more

Collaborations and partnerships

The Namur Innovative City Lab and TRAK[K]

The University of Namur has joined forces with the City of Namur and the Province's Economic Office (BEP) to set up the Namur Innovative City Lab, along with other partners. This portfolio of 11 projects aims to position the Walloon capital as a "smart city" and is part of the ERDF 2014-2020 call for projects.

TRAK[K] is a creative hub in which UNamur plays an active role. Ideally located in the heart of the city, this multidisciplinary space aims to foster the emergence of a creative and participative community, involving local stakeholders. 

More info 

The NID: a laboratory for urban innovation

The NID, an acronym for "Namur Intelligente et Durable", is a space that puts citizens at the heart of the debate around Namur's future and questions the role of cities in the face of current and future challenges. The projects developed at TRAK[K] are put to the test at the Confluence space (at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers), equipped with a demonstration area and refurbished to become a real Living Lab. The objectives of this space are to demonstrate Namur's desire to position itself as a Smart City, but also to create a point of attraction and a meeting space between institutions, visitors and citizens.

More information on the NID website

Research institute

Namur Digital Institute (NaDI)

Smart cities and e-government:One of the research themes of the Namur Digital Institute (NaDI) is "Smart cities and e-government". New developments in information and communication technologies (ICT) have enabled public organisations to innovate in their internal processes and in the services they offer. In this context, these evolutions have led to the emergence of the concepts of e-government and smart city, which will modify, and ultimately improve, the functioning of public organisations. Learn more

Collaborative economy: The collaborative economy refers to marketplaces that provide access to goods, services or skills through peer-to-peer exchanges. NADI explores the economic, technological and societal/environmental impacts of these exchanges. Read more