Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Working in partnership both locally and globally, we are tackling each of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through our research and knowledge exchange, education and student experience, and through our operations. Discover how our unique commitments align with and support Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities.

Research and knowledge exchange

The Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice, and Place unites academic expertise from across the University with policymakers and practitioners to advance sustainable and inclusive urban development. Its Sustainable and Resilient Cities research theme focuses on prompting, informing, and catalysing innovative approaches to resilient city-building. Through the Heritage Research Theme, the Institute collaborates with regional organisations to shape public policy, education, and sustainable tourism strategies in Liverpool and beyond. The 20-minute city: An equity analysis of Liverpool City Region examines the feasibility of 20-minute neighbourhoods in the Liverpool City Region, analysing their alignment with socio-spatial inequalities to evaluate the equity of access to local amenities and active travel infrastructure. The Music matters research highlights music's profound ability to connect individuals with history, culture, and memory, using it as a medium to delve into themes of ageing, diversity, and autobiographical experiences. This includes pioneering initiatives such as Liverpool's designation as a UNESCO City of Music, alongside innovative projects that address ageism and dementia through the integration of digital tools, fostering transformative partnerships across cultural and social sectors.

Operations

The University of Liverpool supports SDG 11 by promoting cultural heritage, sustainable development, and community engagement through accessible public spaces, innovative events, and eco-friendly initiatives that enhance urban sustainability and connectivity. As a civic university rooted in a global city, our stewardship and promotion of heritage collections and cultural initiatives are intrinsically linked with the communities we serve. Our cultural institutions, including museums and galleries like the Victoria Gallery and Museum, celebrate both our heritage and that of our city. These vibrant spaces are filled with diverse exhibitions and stories that inspire creativity and enrich the learning experiences of our students and the wider community. We provide free public access to our libraries, museums, catering facilities, buildings, and green spaces across campus. Regular events, including concerts, tours, exhibitions, and both free and ticketed programs, further connect us to the public. The weekly Lunchtime Concert series, held in the state-of-the-art Tung Auditorium, offers a remarkable opportunity for everyone to experience world-class acoustics at no cost. With 97 public events attracting over 20,000 attendees, the Tung Auditorium has become a key addition to the city’s cultural landscape. In support of SDG11, our efforts in the built environment reflect our commitment to sustainable progress. New constructions and refurbishments are designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent standards, and our Sustainable Built Environment Investment Framework embeds key sustainability principles into every stage of development. Sustainable travel is another cornerstone of our commitment to reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality, easing traffic congestion, and fostering stronger communities. To support this, we offer a range of initiatives, including a Season Ticket Loan scheme and a Cycle to Work Scheme, alongside bike hire programs, free maintenance sessions, beginner-friendly events, and city bike tours. Our annual Travel Survey for staff and students, helps us to identify opportunities for enhancing sustainable travel services, aiming to deliver broader benefits for the city.

Education and student experience

Students can engage with specialised course modules such as Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability in Architecture or Architecture and Urban Design, which emphasise sustainable construction practices and urban regeneration strategies. These programs align closely with the objectives of SDG 11, aiming to create cities that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Additionally, the The Beatles: Music Industry and Heritage MA offers a unique opportunity to explore the cultural and economic impact of The Beatles. This program examines their legacy in shaping tourism and heritage sectors at local, regional, and national levels, celebrating the city’s rich musical heritage and the global significance of the Beatles story.

Case Studies

Improving Liverpool City Region bus services

In 2023, a groundbreaking collaboration between the University of Liverpool and Pusan National University in South Korea led to the development of an advanced "digital twin" for Liverpool City Region's bus transport system. The initiative, funded by the UKRI Innovate UK UK-South Korea Collaborative R&D programme, aimed to revolutionise bus services by leveraging cutting-edge data modelling and real-time analytics. The digital twin allowed researchers to simulate various scenarios, such as altering routes or fares, with the goal of enhancing service quality, reducing journey times, and increasing ridership. This project stemmed from a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram and Busan Metropolitan City Mayor Park Heong-Joon, focusing on fostering digital innovation and smart city strategies. Contributions from the University of Liverpool’s Geographic Data Science Lab and its Department of Geography & Planning underscored the potential of Big Data and scenario modelling to optimise transport networks. The collaboration brought together UK technology provider Podaris and South Korean partners, including Sundosoft Inc, Busan Techno Park, and Busan Metropolitan City, marking a significant step towards integrating advanced technology into public transport and enhancing urban mobility. The project also aligned closely with Mayor Rotheram’s vision of delivering faster, more reliable, and cost-effective transport for the Liverpool City Region.

Advancing sustainable construction practices

In partnership with the University of Liverpool, Changing Streams CIC has been addressing plastic pollution in the construction industry since 2019. The organisation focuses on reducing plastic waste and carbon emissions through sustainable building practices, aiming to combat the marine debris caused by plastic pollution. With at least 14 million tons of plastic entering the ocean annually, and the construction industry being the second-largest plastic user after packaging, there is significant environmental impact to address. Changing Streams CIC's initiatives include the Changing Streams Research Centre, directed by Dr. Gareth Abrahams, which conducts upstream research, such as case studies at Wirral Waters. Here, partners are exploring sustainable, plastic-free construction materials to reduce plastic use in major projects like Miller’s Quay. Downstream research, led by Professor Jonathan Sharples, investigates how microplastics affect carbon export in the ocean, focusing on studies in the South Atlantic and North Sea to understand the impact on plankton and carbon sequestration. Changing Streams CIC also bridges the gap between academic research and industry practice, offering education, research, and consultancy to promote sustainable construction practices and innovative solutions. This holistic approach aims to catalyse industry-wide change and support the transition to more responsible building practices across the UK.

Uncovering the wellbeing impact of Liverpool's Music Inclusion Programme

In early 2024, psychologists from the University of Liverpool released a study highlighting the significant social and emotional benefits of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s "In Harmony Liverpool" programme, which celebrated its 15th anniversary. Launched in 2009, this initiative uses orchestral music to enhance life chances for children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, by fostering resilience, confidence, and social skills through music education and performance opportunities. The study, which involved interviews with 22 parents and carers, revealed that In Harmony Liverpool helps participants build resilience, self-confidence, and a sense of belonging, while improving their ability to manage stress. Serving 1,750 children and young people, the programme has impacted over 4,000 children since its inception, offering free music education and performance experiences. Many participants have gone on to perform in prestigious groups like the Resonate Youth Philharmonic and the National Youth Orchestra’s Inspire programme. This research emphasises the critical role of music education in supporting the social, emotional, and intellectual development of young people, particularly those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Dr. Donnellan and Liverpool Philharmonic’s CEO Michael Eakin both emphasised the profound impact of In Harmony in fostering social inclusion and personal growth, with continued efforts to document and explore its contributions to community development and wellbeing.

Annual literary festival WoWFEST

Liverpool’s longest-running literary festival, WoWFEST, returned in May 2024 under the theme "FAHRENHEIT 2024," inspired by Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. Hosted in part by the University of Liverpool, the festival, which Irvine Welsh praised as “the best writing festival in the world,” featured a diverse lineup of events tackling pressing issues like conflict and climate change. University of Liverpool highlights included Jon Ronson, who presented virtually from New York on topics ranging from COVID conspiracies to identity politics, and Professor Stephen Small, who discussed his book In the Shadows of the Big House on antebellum slave cabins and heritage tourism in Louisiana. Other notable events included It’s the End of the World and They Knew It: Dystopia – Then vs. Now, which explored dystopian literature through rare archival materials, and a Creative Heritage Day, showcasing WoW’s Creative Heritage Project, where attendees could engage with marginalised histories and interact with subject specialists.

United by Music for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest

Liverpool’s involvement in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest was marked by vibrant campus transformations and active community engagement. As the host city, the University of Liverpool played a central role through campus decorations, educational initiatives, and public events. In celebration of Eurovision, the campus was adorned with sunflowers—Ukraine’s national flower—and Abercromby Square was renamed ‘ABBAcromby Square’ to honour the 1974 Eurovision winners, ABBA. The square hosted a variety of events, including live music performances and craft activities, and featured a timeline display highlighting the University’s rich musical heritage. Local artist Paul Curtis created a mural symbolising peace for Ukraine, further strengthening the University’s partnership with Sumy State University. On the educational front, the University organised a Mini Eurovision concert at the Tung Auditorium, involving 16 primary schools in a music and language program. The Heseltine Institute also contributed by offering policy briefings on Eurovision’s impact on LGBTQ+ communities and Liverpool’s live music scene. The Tung Auditorium was a key venue for Eurovision-themed events, including the Eurovision Preview Gala, which featured performances by Ukrainian and international artists, giving students the opportunity to engage directly with the performers. Additionally, the University contributed to the largest UK exhibit of Ukrainian photography, collaborated on an app for the project, and participated in Eurovision-related activities such as “A Stat for Europe” and "Late at the Tate Liverpool: The Spirit of Eurovision." The Liverpool UNI-ty Choir, a collaborative ensemble of staff, students, and local community members, performed at the Eurovision Village, showcasing a diverse repertoire that included gospel songs and an ABBA medley, encapsulating the city's vibrant celebration of the event.

Transforming community asset development

The University of Liverpool, in partnership with Safe Regeneration, launched the Neighbourhood Transformation Planning Tool (NTPT), an innovative online resource designed to assist community groups in developing local assets. The launch event was attended by over 40 community partners and celebrated a new approach to supporting community-driven asset development. Funded by Research England through the University’s Public Policy Quality Related Scheme, the NTPT enhances social responsibility and inclusion by simplifying the process of transforming buildings and land into valuable community assets. These assets, such as parks, housing, and cultural spaces, serve local needs and improve quality of life, fostering a sense of belonging and community pride. The NTPT helps communities manage over 700 identified potential sites in the city region and thousands more nationally. The tool supports the development of spaces that generate sustainable income, reducing reliance on grants and donations. The tool’s co-production design incorporates community experiences to ensure accessibility and relevance, maximising its potential impact and the diverse range of community assets it will support.

Transforming Liverpool museums

The University of Liverpool's School of Architecture partnered with the renowned design firm Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios on a major £58 million redevelopment of the International Slavery Museum and Maritime Museum. As part of the broader Waterfront Transformation Project, this initiative aims to rejuvenate the area between the Royal Albert Dock and Mann Island. Led by FCBStudios partner Kossy Nnachetta, the team also includes experts from the University’s School of Architecture, such as Professor Ola Uduku, Professor Ilze Wolff, and PhD candidate Kudzai Matsvai. Their combined expertise in gender, race, slavery, and colonialism is integral to creating inclusive, transformative spaces. The redevelopment will see significant improvements, including the enhancement of the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Building as a new entrance to the International Slavery Museum and the upgrade of the Hartley Pavilion to provide better visitor facilities, such as a café, shop, and exhibition space. The goal is to create dynamic, welcoming environments that not only address contemporary issues but also elevate the museums' national collections. The project offers a unique opportunity to craft spaces that will express profound historical narratives and emotions, marking a bold, community-driven architectural transformation.