Aims of the UNESCO Chair

 

  • Conducting scientific research in sustainable urban development in resonance with the local and regional needs of the Asia-Pacific Region and in line with the priorities of UNESCO’s Medium Term Strategy (2008-2013), including UNESCO’s focus on the impact of climate change on migration and urbanization.
  • Contributing to capacity building and professional training, and acting as a Think Tank.
  • Enhancing international cooperation in higher education and research, attracting PhD candidates to conduct research under the UNESCO Chair.
  • Advising and consulting in the area of sustainable architecture and urban design.
  • Strengthening inter-university and inter-disciplinary cooperation in training, education, publications, conferences, seminars, master classes and curricula development.
  • Exchanging knowledge of international best practice, establishing knowledge sharing in practical and achievable sustainable urban development, for a new urban society.
  • Disseminating research based best practice for re-engineering existing cities into sustainable cities, sharing experience and developing an Action Plan.
  • Transferring knowledge to developing countries, offering UNESCO Scholarships and Visiting Fellowships to graduates of Asia-Pacific universities (University Twinning Programmes).
  • Inspiring and supporting people to live in a more environmentally friendly way.

 

The establishment of the first UNESCO Chair in Sustainability in Asia and the Pacific

Officially launched in 2008, the newly established UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Urban Development for Asia and the Pacific and the Chair in Architectural Design at the University of Newcastle Australia, have been combined to maximize synergies and intensify research activities. This is Asia and Australia’s first UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Development and the first UNESCO Chair established in New South Wales.  The holder of the chair is Professor Steffen Lehmann. The UNESCO Chair is a research unit located at the host institution, The University of Newcastle and is part of that University’s s_Lab Space Laboratory for Architectural Research and Design.

Most energy is consumed and most waste produced in cities.

It is projected that in the next 50 years,

two-thirds of humanity will be living in towns and cities.

 

Global warming and urbanization are closely interlinked.

Rapid urbanization, and its impact on communities and the environment, is one of the most pressing of today’s issues.