Towards a Green Campus in the City

SUTEE and its predecessor projects (Teaspils, TAP-TS, etc.) have positively affected the environmental strategy of the University College of Teacher Education Vienna (PHW). Indeed, there has been a substantial shift toward a wider ecological and environmentally friendly vision of how a greener campus could support the urban climate.

The efforts toward this vision have already resulted in the Austrian environmental award, whereby the Austrian Ministry of Education together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Climate recognises organisations for their ecological, social and economic sustainability. Preceding the certification was a detailed process to meet established criteria and to develop an organisational sustainability strategy.

Figure 1. Green surroundings on the PHW campus

Figure 2. Grown trees around the lecture halls

Furthermore, a concept was being proposed to develop an even greener infrastructure, such as roof gardens and vertical gardens. These ideas are currently evaluated to their feasibility.

Figure 3. Concept of green fassades and fountains on campus

In total, these activities show that awareness to support the urban climate with more plants and free spaces has already set foot in the institution. We also anticipate that this will lead to a better social fabric and wellbeing among students.