SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS
As UNIC’s modern campus continues to grow and evolve, we aim to focus on establishing a sustainable campus taking into account various aspects of sustainability. Be it, investing in the improvement of the walking paths on and around campus, adding bicycle stands to our newly established buildings, or working with local authorities to increase the safety of our university community through the provision of additional pedestrian crossings, our aim is to continuously improve upon the shared university experience.
The results can be seen first-hand upon visiting our campus. The newly build student residences, for example, received the top-level ranking “A” from the national energy efficiency bureau based on the use of materials and technologies that provide high thermal coefficients.
UNIC: A SAFE, PEDESTRIAN-FRIENDLY CAMPUS
UNIC is in favour of sustainable mobility, including pedestrian and bicycle access. Over the past few years, we have worked with town planning/public works to increase the number of pedestrian crossings close to campus. This has been achieved with pedestrian crossings established opposite the University’s main entrance and close to the UNIC Residences. We have also invested in the development of additional pedestrian lanes on campus.
We have invested heavily in new residential facilities on-campus to allow students to attend university without needing a car at all and our master planning process has an objective of continuing to make the campus more walkable and accessible.
Additionally, we are part of the Nicosia bicycle path network and most of our buildings and all our housing options have bicycle storage/racks available.
COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO ADDRESS PLANNING ISSUES AND DEVELOPMENT
UNIC is in constant communication and planning with local authorities to guide the development of the University campus in ways that are consistent with the master plans and objectives of the town at large.
This includes prioritizing development in a former industrial area so as not to compete with residential areas. Our UNIC Residences were built in relatively abandoned areas next to the Cyprus DMZ (Demilitarized Zones), again, in order to not compete with existing residential planning and, in this case, to serve as a catalyst for the development of previously marginal areas.
The three newly completed student residences provide affordable student housing that serves to alleviate the pressure of student housing/rental needs from within the community, which leaves more housing available for permanent residents of the community.
BUILDING NEW BUILDINGS TO MEET SUSTAINABLE STANDARDS
The University’s new Residences, the ‘SIX’ Residences received the top-level ranking “A” from the national energy efficiency bureau based on the use of materials and technologies that provide high thermal coefficients. The building is also fitted with solar panels for heating water as well as PVs for generating electricity.
BUILDING ON BROWNFIELD SITES
Two of the recently built student residences are built on brownfield sites. Moreover, two of the new student residences (‘Six’ and ‘Triangle’) border the Cyprus DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) and, as such, they are considered by the Republic of Cyprus as being in an under-developed zone for which they encourage development.
