Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
The world’s population is constantly increasing. To accommodate everyone, we need to build modern, sustainable cities. Goal 11 is about using new, intelligent urban planning to create safe, affordable and resilient cities with green and culturally inspiring living conditions.
UNHack focuses on sustainability challenges
Pictured here: Students working in teams to brainstorm solutions to the problem they selected to address during UNHack.
In November 2022, more than 450 students from local high schools, York and nearby postsecondary institutions gathered at York’s Lassonde School of Engineering for a three-day immersive SDG learning experience. After learning about the design sprint process, teams selected an SDG, brainstormed and later designed relevant solutions to core sustainability challenges. A diverse set of projects emerged, in particular from the Trash to Treasure team. Their plans to advance sustainable communities (SDG 11) involved creating “miniaturized recycling facilities on campus to convert recycled plastic into useful building materials for new construction, art or renovation and promote on-campus recycling.”
Facts
262
publications relevant
to SDG 11
(2020-2022)
39%
of publications co-authored with international institutions
40+
programs relevant
or related to SDG 11
Provided free access to campus art installations for Nuit Blanche in partnership with the City of Toronto
100s
of children from the Jane-Finch community could access sporting events, programs and childhood diabetes clinics in 2019-22 via York Lions
Asante Soccer Academy, Union Basketball Canada Academy, Key Hoops, Active Scholars and the Junior Provincial Wheelchair Basketball Team are just some of the community sporting groups and teams hosted by York Lions at our athletic facilities
200+
public event days for music,
drama and other
performing arts
(2021-2022)
9
interdisciplinary Organized Research Units & other initiatives focused on urban studies & diasporic, displaced/refugee/marginalized and other communities residing in urban environments
Proud collaborator with the City of Toronto on Doors Open Toronto, offering free public access to York’s iconic spaces
Acres of green, event and other public spaces (both free & paid access), including the University Toronto Transit Commission Subway and Archives of Ontario
Stories
