The United Nations General Assembly’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outline key priorities aimed at ensuring the well-being of the planet and its people. Integral University recognizes the significance and urgency of these goals and is dedicated to contributing to their achievement. This commitment is evident through the initiatives and activities carried out across various departments and units of the university. The progress report for SDG 11 is presented as follows.

Research on sustainable cities and communities

Sustainable cities and communities, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 11, emphasize creating urban areas that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. This area has gained considerable research attention, covering aspects such as urban planning, transportation, housing, energy efficiency, and social equity. A total of 23 research articles have been published related to Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Public access to buildings

Integral University has wholeheartedly adopted the Sustainable Development Goals and is actively implementing them. The university promotes arts and initiatives that help document and preserve both tangible and intangible heritage, contributing to sustainable cities and communities. The campus has been developed as a sustainable and eco-friendly environment, reflecting the university’s recognition of the value of green spaces. It ensures that these green areas remain accessible while prioritizing their preservation. The university’s plan also includes measures to ensure the accessibility of public spaces. For instance, the stadium and all its facilities are open to neighboring communities free of charge. Green spaces, which form a substantial part of the campus, receive special care and maintenance. Moreover, the university’s invitation list confirms that the public can access its buildings, library, and green zones. Consequently, Integral University consistently welcomes visitors with prior authorization and free entry.

Public access to libraries

The Integral University Library System (IULS) serves as the central intellectual and cultural hub of the university community. Its primary goal is to provide students, faculty, staff, and administrators with efficient and equitable access to recorded information that supports the university’s mission of research, teaching, and learning. The fully automated library system is responsible for selecting, acquiring, organizing, preserving, and offering bibliographic and physical access to a diverse collection of materials in various formats, following internationally accepted professional standards and practices. These resources are designed to meet both academic and research-related information needs of the university community. Over time, the Library System has expanded significantly in terms of infrastructure, a rich collection of documents, qualified personnel, and high-quality services integrated with Information and Communication Technology. The Central Library operates on all working days from 9 AM to 10 PM and on Saturdays from 9 AM to 4 PM. During examination periods, library hours are extended. Furthermore, the invitation list confirms that the public can access library areas. With prior approval, the university is always open to welcoming visitors.

Public access to museums

Integral University welcomes all students, faculty, staff, and administrators, along with providing 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 provides the community with open access to recreational green spaces and sports facilities, all free of charge to the public. The campus welcomes visitors at any time, allowing free movement throughout the area with clearly marked pedestrian pathways. Amenities such as restrooms and drinking water dispensers are also available for visitors’ convenience. Ensuring accessibility across the campus remains a key priority.

Arts and heritage contribution

Each year, Integral University organizes free music performances and art lectures to help the local community appreciate and engage with art. These events attract both students interested in joining related clubs and community members who wish to participate. In addition, both student and community groups have actively taken part in national music competitions to enhance the university’s musical presence. Through various inter-school exchanges, the clubs have gained valuable experience and curated highlights for their performances. These collective efforts have played a significant role in the clubs’ continuous growth and success.

Record and preserve cultural heritage

Integral University established the “Cultural Society” with the aim of preserving and documenting indigenous cultural heritage while providing integrated resources for indigenous students. To enhance awareness and understanding of indigenous traditions among staff and students, and to safeguard and promote traditional (intangible) heritage, annual events are organized. Through these interactive sessions and educational workshops, participants develop a stronger appreciation of indigenous cultures and practices, contributing to their continued preservation and protection.

Indicator: Arts and heritage expenditure

Integral University places great importance on the preservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of the arts. The total amount spent on arts and heritage exhibited a steady increase between 2023 and 2024.

Sustainable practices targets

• At Integral University, the use of CNG buses and electric vehicles helps decrease dependence on conventional fuel sources, thereby reducing overall energy consumption. By adopting cleaner fuel options and electric power, the university conserves energy and minimizes emissions, promoting a more sustainable transportation system. These CNG buses are regularly used by staff and students for daily commuting.
• Integral University has established a 1 MWp Rooftop Grid-Interactive Solar Power Plant. In addition to achieving a 30% revenue saving, this initiative helps prevent the release of 1400 tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere. The university is also actively implementing measures to mitigate all three scopes of greenhouse gas emission sources.
• Awareness workshop.

Promote sustainable commuting

: Efforts are being made to encourage environmentally friendly transportation within the University by restricting the number of private motor vehicles entering the campus and providing alternative sustainable mobility options.

• University Shuttle service.
• The university initiative includes the leasing of electric bikes/cars.
• Bus stops are provided as convenient facilities to ensure passengers have a comfortable waiting area. They also offer shelter and protection from weather conditions after passengers disembark.
• Bicycle facilities are open for use by all members of the community, provided they follow the university’s regulations.
• Pedestrian pathways are specially designed for walkers and include features that support individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Allow remote working

Integral University has adopted remote working practices within its internal operations. This allows university staff to perform essential administrative duties by remotely accessing and managing their office computers from home. They also have real-time access to student information, enabling them to efficiently resolve issues and review grades to support improved academic performance. During the pandemic, the university effectively utilized LMS technology to facilitate remote teaching, student registration, and grading processes.

Affordable housing for employees

Integral University offers affordable on-campus housing for interested staff members. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are established and followed to ensure that university employees receive access to cost-effective accommodation, similar to other housing provisions.

Staff Residence - 04 Blocks

Affordable housing for students

A distinctive aspect of Integral University is its residential nature, with the majority of students living on campus. The university reflects the nation’s rich multi-religious, multi-racial, and multi-lingual diversity. Students from various regions of India — from Kashmir to Telangana and Kolkata to Bhopal — come together, each bringing unique cultural traditions. They share the same rooms, dine together, play on the same fields, and collectively experience the joys and challenges of campus life.

Boys Hostel - 06 Blocks
Girls Hostel - 05 Blocks

Pedestrian priority on campus

As an essential part of a sustainable transportation strategy, Integral University promotes the use of bicycles and pedestrian-friendly movement. The university has also implemented specific policies to support cycling and walking within the campus. To further encourage pedestrian activity, the campus provides the following facilities and measures.

• 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

To create an alternative vision for community growth and development that fosters economic progress and improves quality of life, Integral University collaborates closely with industrial partners and local planning bodies such as the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA). The university also plays an active role in raising public awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through conferences, community meetings, and public lectures. Additionally, it undertakes various consultancy projects and partners with industries to promote sustainable construction practices that support overall community development.

Planning development - new build standards

Green buildings are designed and constructed using technologies that minimize energy and resource consumption while reducing waste generation throughout their entire life cycle — from planning and design to construction, operation, management, and demolition. The concept of green buildings is evaluated through nine key metrics: biodiversity, water resources, base water retention, greening volume, daily energy savings, CO₂ reduction, waste reduction, sewage and waste treatment enhancement, and indoor environmental quality. Since 2004, all newly constructed buildings have been designed and developed in line with the government’s green building standards, and Integral University has been actively committed to following the green building policy.

Building on brownfield sites

Brownfield areas within the campus have been transformed into greenhouses for cultivating flowers and vegetables.

Activity Report

Department of Pharmacy, Integral University, under the aegis of the Mulya Pravah Committee, a Quality mandate initiative, organized an awareness event to observe National Pollution Prevention Day on December 2, 2023. The event was held in alignment with PO-10: Environment and Sustainability, aiming to sensitize students about the environmental challenges and the need for sustainable solutions. The theme for the event was: "Clean Air, Green Earth: A Step Towards Sustainable Living" this theme emphasized the urgent need to adopt eco-friendly practices to reduce pollutants affecting our air, water, and soil. It underscored the necessity of clean air and a green planet for a healthy, sustainable future.

Historical Context

National Pollution Prevention Day is observed annually on December 2nd in memory of the Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984, one of the world’s worst industrial disasters. The accident involved the release of methyl isocyanate gas from the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, leading to thousands of deaths and long-term health and environmental consequences. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of pollution control and stringent safety regulations in industries and communities.

Theme and Objectives

The event theme, "Clean Air, Green Earth: A Step Towards Sustainable Living", was aimed at promoting public awareness and encouraging actions that support environmental health and sustainability. It called for collective responsibility among individuals, communities, and institutions to reduce pollution and protect natural ecosystems. A total of approximately 95 students participated in the event, showing commendable enthusiasm and awareness. The event successfully promoted the message of pollution prevention and the urgent need to shift towards sustainable living practices. All the participants were sincerely analyzed and judged by our esteemed guests without any bias. The response given by students was marvelous. Each participant expressed their views regarding Pollution Control in a nicely and soft manner.

ALIGNED ACTIVITY OUTCOMES WITH OBJECTIVES

Glimmers of the Event

Signature Campaign conducted on World Environment Day at Integral University

Volunteers with the collected plastic waste during World Environment Day 2023

Plastic cleaning by volunteers of EVS Dept. at Paikramau Village Wetland site with NGO

Plastic Free Campaign and cleaning at Paikramau Village Wetland site with NGO