Sustainable Environments
We will be recognised as a vibrant, sustainable and connected hub that blends our heritage with our future and welcomes our partners, the community and the wider world.
- Priorities
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- Establish modern and fully integrated physical and digital environments that foster world-leading education and research and reflect Indigenous place and our shared history.
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- Embed sustainability and fair-trade principles into the developmental and operational activities of the campus.
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- Create new opportunities for collaboration, co-location and connectivity.
Strategies
Invest in our physical and digital environment
We will develop a financial strategy to guide vital investments in both our physical facilities and our information and communication technologies (ICT).
Our priorities will be guided by our education, research, reach and engagement goals, and will respond to two sequential objectives:
- Optimising our facilities: Building on the detailed research into our ICT and campus capabilities already undertaken, we will improve our existing physical and digital assets.
- Transformation: We will invest in the contemporary practices and facilities that will have the most positive effect on staff and student experience. These investments will help position UWA as a vibrant education, research, community and cultural hub.
We will consult with a broad range of stakeholders and agree on the characteristics and experiences that define the identity of a new UWA environment – both physical and digital.
Preserve and enhance our distinct and vibrant campus identity
We are privileged to have a beautiful campus on the lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people. We will respect and celebrate our heritage while creating future environments and experiences that reflect the innovative nature of our education and research, and the cultural richness of our diverse communities.
We will consult with a broad range of stakeholders and agree on the characteristics and experiences that define the identity of a new UWA environment – both physical and digital. To ensure a consistent and excellent experience, this identity will continuously evolve to meet the expectations of our communities and seize the potential of emerging technology.
Create a more clean, green and sustainable campus
The green open spaces that are such an essential part of our campus’ character inspire us and provide us with the opportunity to embed sustainability principles in all our future developments. We will seek out, use and share environmental best practice wherever we can – for new buildings, refurbishment and our operational activities.
We will use less, and we will use it smarter. Our campuses will be compact, efficient and highly utilised. We will name clear targets for lowering energy and water use, and will invest in renewables and carbon offsets. Our policies, strategies and procedures, including procurement practices, will include sustainability principles and standards. We will encourage the use of sustainable transportation options.
We will invest in cutting-edge digital technology to create a fully integrated and innovative 'digital campus'.
Create opportunities for collaboration and partnerships
We will create opportunities for greater collaboration and new and exciting partnerships by developing shared spaces and places across faculties, disciplines, industries and communities.
We will engage our partners in the campus masterplan and in all campus developments to ensure we see and meet every opportunity to work together, be it in the short or long term, including co-tenancies.
Develop a connected campus
Our campuses and our local partner institutions will be connected both physically and digitally, through technological infrastructure.
As economic and environmental pressures increase the focus on public transport, autonomous vehicles, cycling and pedestrians, we will support sustainable transportation options on and between our campuses and radically improve the transportation links in our networks.
We will invest in cutting-edge digital technology to create a fully integrated and innovative ‘digital campus’, linking staff and students in remote and regional Australia and across the world.
Measures of success
- Global recognition for leadership in public place sustainability.
- An energy-neutral UWA campus.
- Increased intensity and vibrancy; increased cultural/artistic/community presence and use.
- Extended opening hours and rate of use for both University and community purposes.
- Increased percentage of campus used by non-university partners.