SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

Professor Iain White has been working with local and central authorities to progress a concept called the ‘20 Minute City’, challenging decision makers to adopt a more transformative approach to post-pandemic infrastructure investment.

The concept has been embraced in many other parts of the world and is essentially about putting the right kinds of infrastructure in the right places. This includes good pedestrian access and high connectivity, safe cycle lanes, and joined up planning that aims to better link people with the facilities they use, so all needs can be reached within 20 minutes of home.

In October 2021, Professor White and the project team conducted a nationwide survey asking New Zealanders how far they’re prepared to travel for work and other services. “We need to be careful in applying concepts from overseas, and so we need to collect data on what is of value to people in our towns and cities and how they prefer to get there,” says Professor White.

Our Transport Research Group is a multidisciplinary team of researchers committed to finding sustainable transport solutions for New Zealand, help overcome policy barriers to support the transition to electric vehicles, influence decision makers and nurture more sustainable mindsets and behaviours. They're looking closely at a range of issues including public perceptions around autonomous vehicle technologies and changes to in-vehicle technology.

Here at Waikato, we provide a range of different accommodation options for our students studying at both our Tauranga and Hamilton campus. With three halls of residence, apartments, cottages, studios and units, we cater for a wide range of budgets and lifestyles. For those without the ability to pay in full at the start of the year, weekly and monthly payment plans are available. Self catered options start at $219 per week. A number of our scholarships can also go towards accommodation costs.

Sustainability is core to new construction projects at the University of Waikato. The building and design Property Services Standard Brief, reviewed in 2021, reinforces our strategy to ensure we have sustainable practices in all aspects of University activity. At the start of any project, the brief ensures designers regard sustainability in terms of design, construction as well as subsequent operation and maintenance. The ongoing Pā development underscores our commitment, with aspects as specific as sourcing wood for beams from sustainably harvested plantation forest.