The United Nations General Assembly’s 17 Goals for Sustainable Development (SDG’s) provide priorities to work towards the well-being of the Earth and its people. Integral University understands the importance and urgent nature of SDG’s and is committed to contribute in achievement of SDGs. The commitment towards SDGs is reflected through the work done within departments, and other units of the university. Progress reports of SDG 11 is as follows.
Research on sustainable cities and communities
Sustainable cities and communities, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 11, focus on making urban areas inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. This field attracts significant research interest, encompassing urban planning, transportation, housing, energy efficiency, and social equity. 77 Research articles have been published in the area of Sustainable cities and communities.
Public access to buildings
Integral University has embraced the Sustainable Development Goals and is working to put them into practice. University supports the arts and initiatives that document and preserve both tangible and intangible heritage in the context of sustainable cities and communities. The campus has been built to be a sustainable and green campus since Integral University recognizes the importance of green spaces. Additionally, it guarantees that green places be accessible and gives particular consideration to their preservation. University’s plan includes insurance for the accessibility of public areas. As an example, the stadium and all of its amenities are available to its neighbours at no cost. Green areas, which make up a significant portion of the campus, receive particular attention from Integral University. Additionally, a list of invites states that the public has access to the buildings, library, and green areas. As a result, our university is always willing to accommodate anyone with prior authorization and free admission.
Public access to libraries
Integral University Library System (IULS) is the central intellectual and cultural resource of the University community, the purpose of the same is to provide all students, faculty, staff, and administrators with effective and equitable access to the recorded information necessary to support the University's research, teaching and learning mission. The fully automated Library System of the university in general selects, acquires, organizes, preserves and provides effective bibliographic and physical access according to international professionally accepted standards and practices of collections of materials in a multiplicity of formats for satisfying the curriculum as well as research related information needs of the university community. The Library System has grown steadily in terms of physical facilities, excellent collection of documents, proper number of trained personnel, and remarkable services duly equipped with Information and Communication Technology. The Central library is kept open on all working days from 9 AM to 10 PM and on Saturdays from 9 AM to 4 PM. During examinations Library is kept open for extended hours. Additionally, a list of invites states that the public has access to the library areas. So long as prior consent is obtained, our university is always willing to entertain anyone.
Public access to museums
Integral University is open for all students, faculty, staff, and administrators besides access to school students and other visitors.
Public access to green spaces
Total Area on Campus Covered in Forest Vegetation – 215496.3 sq.mt.
Total area on campus covered in planted vegetation - 314801.8 sq.mt.
Integral University offers the community recreational green spaces and sports facilities and is always free to the public. The public is welcome to enter the campus at any time. People are free to move throughout the campus, and there are designated pedestrian walkways. Facilities including bathrooms and drink dispensers are also available to visitors. Notably, making the campus environment accessible is a top priority.
Arts and heritage contribution
Every year, Integral University hosts free music events and art lectures to introduce the local population to the beauty of art. These lectures and events not only draw students who are interested in joining connected clubs, but they also invite community members to attend. Both groups also actively competed in a national music competition in an effort to improve the university's music. The clubs frequently gained knowledge from other schools through their numerous exchanges, and they developed a list of highlights for their shows. These accomplishments have all contributed to the clubs' expansion.
Record and preserve cultural heritage
The "Cultural Society" was created by Integral University with the goals of protecting and documenting indigenous cultural history as well as integrating a variety of resources for indigenous students. In order to improve staff and students' comprehension of indigenous cultures and to preserve and transmit traditional indigenous cultures (intangible heritage), annual events are planned. Participants gained a deeper understanding of indigenous cultures and customs through these practical experiences and educational workshops, which helped to promote their preservation and protection.
Arts and heritage expenditure
Integral University places a strong emphasis on cultural heritage preservation and artistic advancement. The overall amount spent on the arts and heritage showed an upward trend between 2022 and 2023.
Sustainable practices targets
• CNG buses and electric vehicles at Integral University reduce reliance on traditional fuel sources, lowering overall energy consumption. By using cleaner fuel alternatives and electric power, we save electricity and reduce emissions, contributing to a more sustainable transportation system. CNG buses are used by staff and students for common commuting.
• Integral University has installed 1MWp of Rooftop Grid interactive Solar Power Plant. Apart from 30% revenue saving the plants avoid 1400 tons of CO2 generation in the environment. The University is currently practicing to prevent all the three scopes of Greenhouse emission source.
• Awareness workshop
Promote sustainable commuting
The number of private motor cars entering the University area is being limited by attempts to promote more environmentally friendly mobility by offering:
• University Shuttle service.
• The university initiative includes the leasing of electric bikes/cars.
• Bus stops serve as amenities to make waiting for buses more comfortable. After getting off the bus, it also offers protection from the weather.
• Everyone in the community is welcome to use the bicycle facilities as long as they abide by university policies.
• Pedestrian walkways are designed for pedestrians and have amenities for those who are blind or visually impaired.
Allow remote working
Integral University embraces remote working principles in terms of internal organization. In other words, University staff members can do necessary administrative tasks by remotely accessing and controlling their personnel computers from the comfort of their own homes. Additionally, they have real-time access to student data, enabling them to promptly address problems and audit grades in order to enhance students' performance. In order to facilitate student registration, instruction, and grading during the epidemic, the institution has made use of the LMS technology to enable teachers to operate remotely.
Affordable housing for employees
Integral University provides affordable housing to interested staff inside the campus premises. SOPs are created and adhered to in order to offer Integral University employees with inexpensive housing, just as they are for housing.
Staff Residence - 04 Blocks
Affordable housing for students
A special feature of the Integral University is its residential character with most of the students residing on the campus. Integral University is truly representative of the country's multi-religious, multi-racial and multi-lingual character. At Integral, Muslims, Hindus, Christians come from all parts of the country - right from Kashmir to Telangana and from Kolkata to Bhopal- bringing with them different cultural traditions. They live here on the campus in the same rooms, dine on the same tables, play on the same grounds, and share together the joys and concerns of residential life.
Boys Hostel - 05 Blocks
Girls Hostel - 04 Blocks
Pedestrian priority on campus
As a key component of any sustainable transportation plan, Integral University encourages bicycles and pedestrianization. Additionally, there are policies in place to encourage bicycling and pedestrianization on campus. On campus, pedestrian traffic must be promoted by offering the following:
• To encourage pedestrianization on campus, designated covered walkways (top and sides) have been given to make walking easier.
• Walkways have been designed to provide convenient access to shared services.
Local authority collaboration regarding planning and development
In order to establish an alternative vision for the community's growth and development that can contribute to economic development and enhance its quality of life, Integral University works closely with industrial partners and local planning authorities, such as the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA). Through conferences, community gatherings, and public lectures, it also contributes significantly to increasing public understanding of the SDGs. It undertakes initiatives through consulting and works with industry partners to advance sustainable building practices that contribute to community improvement.
Planning development - new build standards
Green buildings are constructed using technology that reduces energy and resource consumption as well as waste creation throughout the building's life cycle, from planning and design to construction, usage, management, and demolition. There are nine metrics for green buildings: biodiversity, water resources, base water retention, greening volume, daily energy savings, CO2 reduction, waste reduction, sewage and waste treatment improvement, and indoor environment. All new buildings built since 2004 have been planned and developed in accordance with the government's green building criteria, and Integral University has actively adhered to the green building policy.
Building on brownfield sites
Brownfield sites inside the campus premises are converted to build green house for plantation of flowers & vegetables.