NU's contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Vision: To be a leading institution in promoting sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility, contributing to the well-being of society and the environment.
Mission: To integrate sustainable practices into all aspects of campus life, ensuring that education, research, and community engagement align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mission: To integrate sustainable practices into all aspects of campus life, ensuring that education, research, and community engagement align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Create inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities.
Our goals in action
Nazarbayev University (NU) contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 11 through a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach that combines academic excellence, community engagement, sustainable operations, and impactful research. The university serves as a model for urban resilience and inclusivity, demonstrating how higher education institutions can be both agents and incubators of sustainable development.
Research and Innovation
Community Impact
Teaching and Student Life
Administration and Operations
The Renewable Energy Test Site serves as a vital platform for research, development, and demonstration of innovative renewable energy technologies. Featuring state-of-the-art equipment such as photovoltaic panels, wind generators, solar collectors, and heat pumps, this site plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainable energy solutions, fostering a green economy, and contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.
The Renewable Energy Test Site contributes to SDG 11 by advancing energy-efficient, low-carbon solutions for cities, supporting sustainable infrastructure like smart grids and green buildings, and enhancing climate resilience through renewable energy adoption. It also fosters education and awareness, empowering communities to embrace sustainable practices for a more resilient and eco-friendly urban future.
The Shell Yurt is an innovative energy-efficient house and climate laboratory designed to showcase sustainable living practices and serve as a hub for research on energy efficiency and climate adaptation. Combining cutting-edge technology with traditional architectural elements, the Shell Yurt is a forward-thinking structure that emphasizes environmental sustainability and the efficient use of resources.
The yurt’s design draws inspiration from traditional nomadic dwellings, with a modern twist to enhance energy performance and adaptability to changing climates. The structure is lightweight yet durable, using renewable and locally sourced materials to reduce its carbon footprint. Its circular shape, combined with a highly insulated shell, optimizes energy use by reducing heat loss and maximizing natural heating and cooling.
The Heating System is a cutting-edge, integrated solution designed to optimize energy efficiency in buildings, combining geothermal wells, solar collectors, heat pumps, and heat recovery ventilation. This holistic approach not only advances research in sustainable energy technologies but also plays a key role in minimizing environmental impact and reducing energy costs in residential and commercial buildings.
The Renewable Energy Test Site contributes to SDG 11 by advancing energy-efficient, low-carbon solutions for cities, supporting sustainable infrastructure like smart grids and green buildings, and enhancing climate resilience through renewable energy adoption. It also fosters education and awareness, empowering communities to embrace sustainable practices for a more resilient and eco-friendly urban future.
The Shell Yurt is an innovative energy-efficient house and climate laboratory designed to showcase sustainable living practices and serve as a hub for research on energy efficiency and climate adaptation. Combining cutting-edge technology with traditional architectural elements, the Shell Yurt is a forward-thinking structure that emphasizes environmental sustainability and the efficient use of resources.
The yurt’s design draws inspiration from traditional nomadic dwellings, with a modern twist to enhance energy performance and adaptability to changing climates. The structure is lightweight yet durable, using renewable and locally sourced materials to reduce its carbon footprint. Its circular shape, combined with a highly insulated shell, optimizes energy use by reducing heat loss and maximizing natural heating and cooling.
The Heating System is a cutting-edge, integrated solution designed to optimize energy efficiency in buildings, combining geothermal wells, solar collectors, heat pumps, and heat recovery ventilation. This holistic approach not only advances research in sustainable energy technologies but also plays a key role in minimizing environmental impact and reducing energy costs in residential and commercial buildings.
The Center of National Culture serves as a cornerstone for preserving and promoting cultural heritage, fostering inclusivity, and enhancing community engagement. It acts as a vibrant hub where the diverse cultural expressions of a nation and its people are celebrated, honored, and shared with both local and global communities. Through its various programs, exhibitions, and activities, the center plays a key role in strengthening cultural identity, promoting social cohesion, and encouraging mutual respect among different communities.
Support for Arts and Heritage: NU supports visual arts, theatre, music, and student-driven exhibitions, positioning the university as a cultural hub in Astana. These events help cultivate appreciation for cultural diversity and preserve intangible heritage within an urban setting.
Green Curriculum: NU integrates urban sustainability principles across its academic programs. Courses such as Urban Sustainability and Resilience, Smart and Sustainable Cities, Environmental Policy and Governance, Public Health and Urban Systems, and Geospatial Analysis for Urban Planning equip students with critical tools to address modern urban challenges. These courses are available across schools such as the Graduate School of Public Policy, School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, and School of Sciences and Humanities, and offer both theoretical frameworks and practical applications in sustainable urban development.
Green Campus Initiative: NU’s sustainability strategy is embodied through its Green Campus Initiative, which incorporates:
- Comprehensive waste sorting and recycling stations across campus.
- Energy-efficient systems in all new buildings and retrofitting of older facilities with smart lighting and insulation.
- Use of solar panels and renewable energy where feasible.
- Water-saving measures, such as automated irrigation systems.
- Promotion of eco-friendly transport including electric vehicle charging stations, and pedestrian pathways.
Affordable and Inclusive Housing:
- Faculty Housing: NU provides modern, fully furnished apartments for faculty and researchers to attract global academic talent and support a vibrant intellectual community.
- Student Dormitories: For 2023–2024, NU housed 4,796 students (71% of the undergraduate and master’s student population), ensuring affordability and accessibility in a high-quality living environment.
Remote Working and Learning: NU implemented flexible remote work and hybrid learning arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic and has maintained these policies where beneficial, reducing commuting-related emissions and improving work-life balance.
Cultural Life and Urban Inclusivity (New in 2024):
NU Choir & Orchestra presented spring and summer concerts including “Voices of Harmony” (March 2024) and “NU Summer Sounds” (June 2024), blending classical and folk repertoires and attracting broad community participation.
NU Theater debuted the student-directed adaptation of "The Shadow of the Wind" in April 2024, followed by an improvisational performance during Sustainability Week in November.
NU Dance Club organized the inter-university festival “Dance in Motion” in May, celebrating diversity in urban cultures through styles ranging from hip-hop to traditional Kazakh.
NU Contemporary hosted the April art exhibition “Urban Matters,” featuring visual commentary on city life, sustainability, and social identity.
NU Education Club curated public events including the October lecture “The City as a Learning Ecosystem,” fostering dialogue on cities as inclusive educational platforms.
NU Theater debuted the student-directed adaptation of "The Shadow of the Wind" in April 2024, followed by an improvisational performance during Sustainability Week in November.
NU Dance Club organized the inter-university festival “Dance in Motion” in May, celebrating diversity in urban cultures through styles ranging from hip-hop to traditional Kazakh.
NU Contemporary hosted the April art exhibition “Urban Matters,” featuring visual commentary on city life, sustainability, and social identity.
NU Education Club curated public events including the October lecture “The City as a Learning Ecosystem,” fostering dialogue on cities as inclusive educational platforms.
Student-Led Cultural Events: In November 2024, NU's Choir and Orchestra held a two-day concert featuring classical and contemporary performances. This event exemplified NU’s dedication to fostering artistic expression and enriching campus life.
Public Access to Libraries: The NU Library is open to students, faculty, and staff, offering access to a rich collection of academic and cultural resources that support lifelong learning and open intellectual inquiry. The library plays a key role in enhancing knowledge accessibility in the community.
NU actively supports interdisciplinary research aimed at solving real-world urban challenges and advancing SDG 11 objectives:
Urban Air Quality and Pollution Studies:
- Ormanova et al. (2024) analyze PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations and their sources in Astana, identifying industrial and vehicular emissions as major contributors.
- Black carbon research links pollution with atmospheric blocking effects and urban heating.
Urban Geotechnics and Risk Mapping:
- Research on soil stability in Almaty (Satyanaga et al., 2024) supports safer land use planning in seismically active areas.
- Surface deformation studies enhance understanding of tectonic risks in major cities like Almaty.
Sustainable Urban Hydrology and Land Use:
- Studies on the Taldykol Lake system in Astana inform the restoration of urban wetlands and water management.
- Peatland preservation and soil mapping contribute to sustainable land use and ecological integrity.
Urban Wetland Restoration – Taldykol Lake: Research by Baigaliyeva et al. (2024) on the ecological status of the Taldykol system has led to actionable insights on urban wetland preservation, influencing city planning and community awareness campaigns.
Public Health and Environmental Quality:
- Vinogradova et al. (2024) study the microbiome in urban versus rural populations, linking urbanization with health outcomes.
- Indoor air pollution from cooking in Kazakh households is documented by Karaca et al. (2024), with implications for ventilation design.
Circular Economy and Construction Sustainability:
- Karaca and colleagues (2024) examine best practices for construction waste recycling and circular material flows.
- Assessment indices and cost-benefit models support efficient urban resource management.
Smart Cities and Digital Innovation:
- Bissarinova et al. (2024) introduce "DL-SLICER," a deep learning tool for city pattern recognition using satellite data.
- Tleuken et al. (2024) use NLP to analyze stakeholder opinions on circular construction, shaping policy and innovation.
Disaster Risk and Emergency Management:
- Awan et al. (2024) propose a GIS-based emergency response framework tailored to earthquake-prone regions, enhancing urban resilience.
- Almazan et al. (2024) explore the psychological impacts of natural disasters on adolescents, contributing to post-disaster urban mental health strategies.
AI in Urban Health: Khan et al. (2024) apply artificial intelligence to enhance diagnostic accuracy in congenital heart disease, potentially transforming urban healthcare systems.
Nazarbayev University’s integrated, research-driven, and community-focused approach to urban sustainability positions it as a leader in shaping inclusive and resilient cities. By combining local action with global collaboration, NU continues to contribute meaningfully to SDG 11 and the broader agenda for sustainable urban development.