Saving Energy at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar

The global population is increasing steadily, as is the trend towards urbanisation. More and more surfaces are being paved. Green is turning more and more into grey – even in cities. Without plants to cool and clean urban air, heat islands and particle pollution will increase dramatically. Additionally, the increasing heavy rainfalls lead to increased flooding if the water is only able to drain into the sewer system and not into green spaces. In order for our cities to be sustainably liveable, they need more vegetation without sacrificing the usable spaces for which demand is increasing. This is precisely where innovative solutions like the VertiKKA project at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering come into play.

Sustainability is more than just reducing emissions: It is a commitment to socially responsible behaviour. At the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, sustainability and environmental awareness are more than just theoretical concepts – they are both a driving forces and a guiding principle. But what does it mean to make a university sustainable? Since the summer of 2023, the Sustainability Team, led by Vice President for Social Transformation Dr. Ulrike Kuch, has been working on implementing concrete changes.

The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar has now officially committed to the Thuringian Sustainability Agreement (NAThüringen). Grit Booth, who heads the NAThüringen office, presented the certificate of commitment to University President Professor Peter Benz, Vice President for Social Transformation Dr Ulrike Kuch, Head of the Staff Unit for Sustainable Development Dr Tonia Schmitz and Environmental Officer Steven Mac Nelly during a ceremony outside the main university building on Thursday, 12 December 2024.