Sustainable DevelopmentCyprus University of Technology
ISCN 2015 Expanding the Dialogue: Sustainability in a Connected World
WG1 Buildings and Their Sustainability Performance
University of Hong Kong
Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)
•one of three state universities in the Republic of Cyprus,
established in 2004 in the coastal city of Lemesos
•more than 80% of its budget is funded from the Government
•aspires to develop into a modern, pioneering and internationally recognized university
Cyprus University of Technology
LEMESOS
2nd largest city in Cyprus, spreading out between two ancient kingdoms, Amathunta and Kourion.
Island’s main port, the center of the wine industry and a cosmopolitan bustling holiday destination resort.
A large number of hotels and hotel apartments line a fifteen kilometer beautifully landscaped coastline for strollers and bikers.
Old town radiating out from the old fishing harbor filled with restaurants, bars and shops.
A short drive out into the surrounding countryside will take you through vineyards, the commandaria region (sweet wine) of traditional wine producing villages.
University Location
Was it strategically planned?Was it strategically planned?
• political decision
• disperse uses
• rejuvenate the dying city center of Lemesos
• abundant in abandoned buildings
• host of unwanted uses ie adult night clubs
• deserted, unsafe and unpopular
enter city center by utilizing government owned buildings and by expropriating private
properties
Most of the first key position buildings to host CUT were owned by the Government
and have been renovated to accommodate the needs of CUT
Public Buildings
University Buildings
Common Teaching Facilities
Vasilis Michaelides Library
Laboratories for the Faculty of Mechanical and Material Science and Engineering
Research Arcade
increase in space requirements increase in occupied area
expropriations … difficulties
legal frameworkbudget limitationstime restrainsineffective
… … what was the plan?what was the plan?
Private Buildings
Under good strategic planning, renting is good
CUT management did not have options, it HAD to rent
•most academic activities had commenced
•students and staff numbers would increase every year
•academic needs would increase every year
•building facilities insufficient to meet academic needs renting was the fastest solution
however,
required annual budget increase
national economic crisis!!!
… … what are the options?what are the options?
Property Rentals
University Campus Development
Two main phases of development:
• 2007-2015
within the old city center, within old
historic renovated buildings
• 2015-2035
within an area of approximately
90.000sqm, about seven minutes
walking distance from the old city
center
The University Campus Master Plan envisages that until 2035 the number of
students will steadily grow to 7.000-8.000, with 21-28 departments
the second phase of expansion has postponed three times due to the economic crisis that hit the
country and due to legal issues with respect to the expropriation of private properties
currently, we have more students that we can accommodate
and the future of the University Campus is uncertain, however
the need to minimize the renting cost favors the implementation of the master plan
University Campus Development
City Center Development
The establishment of CUT within Lemesos contributed to the development of the socioeconomic
and urban transformation of the city center through
•the reestablishment of the historic city center
•the rejuvenation of the business center
•the social gentrification
the reconstruction, upgrade and sustainable development of the city center
Before
•ruined abandoned buildings
•misused buildings
•garbage accumulation
•deconstruction
Then the University was launched
You have seen some of the results!
City Center Infrastructure
Before
•shops, restaurants were striving to survive
•renting cost was unreasonably high
•businesses were moving elsewhere
Then the University was launched
•creation of new job positions – 3500 students and 600 staff are working daily in the city
center
•abundance in shops, bars, cafeterias and restaurants
•services and businesses are returning to the center
•property renting cost is now more ‘sustainable’
•increase of residential infrastructure
•strengthening and modernization of uses
City Center Economy
Before
•decrease in population
•increase in ageing population
•unsafe and abandoned despite the historic attractions
Then the University was launched
•population renewal
•increase in population 24h
•safe and interesting
•aesthetic development and revival of city center
•conservation of the meaning of the city center and its character
City Center Community
before
Lemesos Municipality, alone
then, the University was launched
University with Municipality (Recycling, Cleaning, Buildings etc)
University with Government (Buildings etc)
University with local NGO’s (GreenDot, Friends of the Earth, Friends of CUT etc)
University with local businesses
Municipal Library•old historic private mansion built in 1934•built based on a Monte Carlo Casino design •sold in 1966 and then donated to the Lemesos Municipality
and became the Municipal Library•currently, undergoes renovation to be converted into a
modern Library for the University and the Municipality•Geothermal Energy Systems for cooling/heating
Collaborations
Before •no recycling, no environmental consciousness
•abandoned old buildings
But, low emissions
Now
•recycling started in Lemesos by the University
•old buildings were renovated to show off our historic and architectural heritage
•traffic and pedestrian circulation have been reconfigured
•trees have been planted on sidewalks and squares
•the Lemesos Municipality is now investing in the collaboration with the University
But, high emissions
inadequate parking places at the historic center
inadequate public transportation
City Center Environment
SWOT ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
1.Very good infrastructure2.Knowledgeable and Active Staff3.Business rejuvenation 4.Collaborations5.Unique expansion of University in the City Center6.Community support
WEAKNESSES
1.Bad management practices•those beyond the reach of University control, and•those for which the responsibility rests directly with the University2. Government and University Bureaucracy – slows down expansion3. Members of the Board of Directors change often4. Vision is not solid and unsupported5. Personal Agendas
OPPORTUNITIES
1.CUT is the first choice for many students2.Good examples and practices for the society and more3.Green University developed in the city center4.Location: city center and sea front
THREATS
1.National Economic Crisis2.Criticism for “unjustifiable” rent contract provisions compared to today’s deep plunged prices. 3.Staff and Students have low expectations and phycology4.Congested city center5.High CO2 emissions6.Uncertainty for the implementation of the University Master Plan
Environmental Policy Office
Under the Programming and Design Section of the Estate Management Services
responsible for managing the University’s Environmental Policy
promoter of Environmental Consciousness
GOAL to implement environmental aspects in all University’s procedures
cut.ac.cy/green
facebook.com/greenatcut
twitter.com/greenatcut
instagram.com/greenatcut
Certification
requirements
office, building section or building to conform to basic environmental procedures
compliance to low budget environmental specifications
RECYCLING
Paper / Plastic-Μetal-Drink Cartons (PMD)
Glass
Mobile Phones
Batteries
Building materials
Clothes
Old, Unused items
Electronic and electric appliances
Hazardous Materials
GREEN Public Procurement
CUT has been using environmental parameters in Public Procurements since its establishment
The Environmental Policy Office is responsible for the university’s Green Public Procurement Procedure and Action Plan (GPPPAP) based on the national action plan
at implementation the local market could not respond… now there is sufficient improvement
CUT enforcement tool Green Public Procurement Consulting Committee