Our Commitment

The University of Pretoria (UP) is deeply committed to advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. This commitment is evident through various initiatives and strategic frameworks aimed at fostering inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable urban environments.

UP actively contributes to SDG 11 through interdisciplinary research and innovative projects. A notable example is the development of a Smart City Sustainability Tracker, designed to monitor and enhance urban sustainability efforts. This tool assesses various indicators within SDG 11, providing valuable insights for urban planning and policy-making.  Additionally, UP's Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment, and Information Technology collaborates on projects that integrate digital twin technology. These initiatives simulate urban scenarios to optimize resource allocation and improve municipal operations, thereby advancing the goals of SDG 11.

Supports of Arts and Heritage

• Public Access to Buidlings: UP as a body offers a variety of options for visitors to explore its campuses, both physically and virtually. Physical campus tours are available on the Hatfield Campus and cover notable places on the university grounds, tailored for general visitors, prospective students, and even academic dignitaries. For those interested in art and nature, UP provides specialized tours, such as sculpture tours and garden walks, showcasing the beauty and cultural aspects of the campus environment. Notably, the Old Arts Building on the Hatfield campus, declared a National Monument in 1968, serves as a central museum space and houses the Mapungubwe Collection—a national treasure featuring artifacts like the famous golden rhinoceros. UP promotes access through the UP GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) initiative, which facilitates community interaction with these culturally rich spaces and enhances accessibility efforts.
• Public Access to Libraries: UP as a body provides limited public access to its library resources, primarily through programmes such as the Alumni Benefits package, which allows UP alumni to access library facilities, including the main Merensky 2 Library, and provides borrowing privileges under certain conditions. For the general public, access to some library resources may be restricted and available mainly for specific academic or research purposes. Special collections, including archives related to South African history and the African Collection, are accessible by appointment, making these unique materials available to visitors who register for guided tours. Additionally, UP offers various training sessions and workshops to students and faculty, covering library resources and academic skills, which are typically open only to registered students and staff.
• Public Access to Museums: UP as a body provides public access to its museums, exhibition spaces, galleries, and significant works of art and artifacts. The Javett Art Centre at UP, located on the Hatfield campus, is a central venue showcasing major collections, such as the notable Mapungubwe Gold Collection, which includes unique Iron Age artifacts like gold figurines, ceramics, and more. The Javett Centre also hosts temporary exhibitions and traveling displays, celebrating South African and African heritage through visual arts. Moreover, the Mapungubwe Gallery, located in the university’s Old Arts Building, offers the public an opportunity to view historic ceramics and artifacts, shedding light on early African cultural practices and artistry. These galleries and collections play a significant role in promoting public access to African heritage and supporting educational outreach initiatives.
• Public Access to Green Spaces: UP as a body offers green spaces that contribute to campus accessibility, recreation, and environmental research for both students and the broader public. For example, the Hillcrest Campus at the University of Pretoria provides free public access to green and open spaces. Known for its extensive sports facilities and surrounding green spaces, Hillcrest Campus houses the High-Performance Centre (HPC) and open areas that are used for both university events and local community sports and recreational activities. While primarily geared toward university functions and athletics, the campus facilities sometimes host community events, allowing public engagement with the university's resources in a green, outdoor setting.
• Arts and Heritage Contribution: UP as a body hosts the Vice-Chancellor's or Principal’s Concert on an annual basis which is a significant cultural event aimed at uniting the university and surrounding community through music and the arts. This premier event showcased the extraordinary synergy created when the UP Symphony Orchestra, UP Ovuwa Cultural Ensemble, UP Chorale and UP Camerata come together, along with singers and piano soloists. The Principal’s Concert showcases the University’s commitment to fostering excellence across an array of artistic genres, while reinforcing its advancement of local youth within the realm of the arts.
• Record and Preserve Cultural Heritage: UP as a body engages in various initiatives to record and preserve intangible cultural heritage. A notable effort is the Heritage Conservation program, part of their School of Arts, aimed at training students in preserving South Africa's rich cultural heritage. This program focuses on both tangible and intangible aspects of heritage, highlighting the importance of cultural material such as oral histories and local traditions. Moreover, the university's ongoing projects and collaborations in the field of heritage conservation demonstrate their commitment to preserving the cultural narratives of various communities, including displaced ones.

Sustainable Practices

• Sustainable Practices Targets: UP as a body provides shuttle bus services between the various campuses for students. In 2022/2023 an estimate of 900,000 students made use of this service. The current bus terminal for transporting staff and students to other campuses is situated in the open parking at the corner of Herold Street and Duxbury Road. 46 buses depart daily to and from this area. It is proposed that structures are built similar to the A Re Yeng bus terminals, where students can wait for buses. There is also an integrated traffic management plan. This plan supports non-motorised transport, address parking optimisation and enhance the corridor between the Hatfield and Hillcrest campuses. On the Hatfield campus vehicular access are be restricted and prevented where possible through integrated campus design and focused around the perimeter. A comprehensive list of various commuting services is provided in the submitted link.
• Promote Sustainable Communiting: UP as a body is actively engaged in promoting sustainable commuting options for its community. Although specific measures such as free or subsidized transport schemes or bike-sharing programs are not explicitly mentioned, the university does emphasize the need for improved transport options and infrastructure. The university is involved in research initiatives through its Centre for Transport Development, focusing on smart transport solutions that could contribute to sustainable commuting practices. Additionally, the university collaborates with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) on 22 July 2020 and ongoing, to collaborate in the area of smart transport, cities and environments to explore integrated transport systems, which may include plans for cycling infrastructure and other sustainable transport solutions in the future.
• Allow Remote Working: UP as a body has policies regarding telecommuting and remote work for its employees, particularly in response to the evolving work landscape. They are supportive of remote working arrangements, especially after the adjustments made during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, specific guidelines and the extent to which telecommuting is formally integrated into standard practices may vary across departments. The University of Pretoria allows telecommuting and hybrid work arrangements as part of its formal policy. Hybrid work includes both remote and flexible work options, tailored to each job type and department. This policy aims to enhance productivity, work-life balance, and inclusivity while ensuring that job performance, collaboration, and employee wellbeing are maintained. The policy also outlines expectations for employee accessibility, performance management, and health and safety considerations in remote environments.
• Affordable Housing for Students: UP as a body offers various affordable housing options for students. There are multiple accommodations available that cater to different preferences and budgets. For instance, Hatfield Studios provides private studio rooms with amenities such as backup power, Wi-Fi, and 24-hour security.
• Pedestrian Priority on Campus: UP as a body is actively engaged in promoting pedestrian access on campus. The university's infrastructure includes pedestrian-friendly pathways, which facilitate movement across the campus while prioritizing safety for walkers. There are initiatives aimed at improving the overall commuting experience for students and staff, with a focus on sustainable transport options. The Centenary Building exemplifies this pedestrian-friendly approach by incorporating public walkways and external circulation routes, creating a welcoming interface with the campus surroundings. The design of this building strategically reflects pedestrian movement patterns, offering accessible routes and multiple points of entry, which enhance the walkability and connectivity of the campus environment. UP also maintains a campus-wide focus on safety and convenience for pedestrians by providing a well-organized transport system that limits vehicular traffic within campus boundaries, enhancing pedestrian safety.
• Local Authority Collaboration Regarding Planning and Development: UP as a body is committed to collaborating with local authorities like the City of Tshwane to address urban planning and development challenges, including projects that support access to affordable housing for local residents. UP and the City of Tshwane partnered to address urban challenges by developing innovative, evidence-based solutions through the University's research and expertise. Focus areas include urban governance, sustainable development, economic growth, and social cohesion. This collaboration offers UP’s resources and research capabilities to tackle complex local issues, including affordable housing, infrastructure development, and sustainable urban planning, directly benefiting city residents and local authorities.

Read more about Goal 11 on UN website