Sustainability Report – SDG11 (11.0)

List of reports and supporting evidence related to this goal. 

Introduction: 

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) demonstrates a strong institutional commitment to Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11) through comprehensive annual reporting, transparent data disclosure, and evidence-based monitoring of sustainability performance. The university integrates SDG11 principles—urban resilience, cultural heritage protection, inclusive infrastructure, sustainable buildings, responsible land use, accessible public spaces, and sustainable mobility—into campus planning, academic curricula, community outreach, and research activities. 

The Sustainability & International Ranking Center (SIRC) leads the preparation, validation, and publication of SDG11-related reports. These reports capture progress in sustainable building standards, public access to cultural and heritage assets, pedestrian-friendly campus design, affordable housing provision, public arts events, smart mobility practices, and collaboration with local authorities in community planning. 

All SDG11 reports serve as core evidence in demonstrating AAU’s role as a national leader in sustainable urban development, resilient infrastructure, and community-centered cultural preservation. The reports also document AAU’s academic, architectural, social, and environmental contributions—connecting campus initiatives with Jordan’s national urban development strategies and global SDG frameworks. 

• Report Name: Decent Work and Economic Growth– 2024-2025 

• Executive Summary: 

The 2024–2025 Sustainable Cities and Communities Report highlights Al-Ahliyya Amman University’s advancements in building a resilient, culturally rich, and environmentally sustainable campus ecosystem. The report outlines AAU’s continued leadership in creating a model urban environment through smart infrastructure development, responsible resource planning, and community-centered design. 

During 2024–2025, AAU made significant progress in strengthening sustainable building compliance, ensuring that all new facilities follow the Sustainable Building and Campus Planning Policy and the Sustainable Building Standards Procedure. Major upgrades were implemented across campus to enhance energy efficiency, improve indoor environmental quality, and expand green and accessible public spaces. 

The university also reinforced its commitment to cultural heritage through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Support Policy, supporting student and community access to heritage landmarks, public arts installations, and design-focused events. Several academic departments, particularly the Faculty of Architecture and Design, organized field visits to major archaeological sites such as Jerash, Jabal Al-Qala’a, and Al-Muwaqqar, in addition to hosting workshops on AI-based design, architectural innovation, and sustainable urban planning. 

AAU expanded its sustainable commuting framework, integrating new data-driven indicators to monitor walking rates, carpooling trends, EV adoption, and housing accessibility. The Remote Working and Telecommuting Procedure and Affordable Housing Provision Procedure contributed to lowering transportation emissions and supporting equitable access for staff and students. 

The university also increased community-level engagement by collaborating with local authorities on planning initiatives, including participation in national committees on decent housing and sustainable infrastructure. Public spaces such as the Arena Complex continued to host cultural and educational events, offering inclusive community access. 

Overall, the 2024–2025 report demonstrates AAU’s holistic and institution-wide approach to SDG11. Through evidence-based planning, community collaboration, sustainable infrastructure, and cultural programming, AAU continues to strengthen its position as a leading model for sustainable and resilient campus environments in Jordan and the region. 

Links: 

• Full Report link 

• Executive Report Link: 

• Report Name: Decent Work and Economic Growth– 2023-2024 

• Executive Summary:

The 2023–2024 Sustainable Cities and Communities Report documents foundational progress made by Al-Ahliyya Amman University toward embedding SDG11 into campus operations, planning processes, and community engagement. This year marked the expansion of institutional frameworks that govern sustainable construction, cultural preservation, mobility, and inclusive access. 

A major achievement was the full activation of the Sustainable Commuting and Housing Practices Policy, which provided structured mechanisms to improve sustainable transport options, evaluate commuting behaviors, and support remote work systems. The year also saw the strengthening of the Pedestrian Access Priority Procedure, resulting in safer walking zones, improved accessibility pathways, and enhanced public-space landscaping. 

AAU deepened its engagement with Jordanian cultural and heritage resources, supporting more than 20 student-centered field visits to historical and architectural sites. Through partnerships and community-focused programs, the university promoted cultural literacy, heritage conservation, and public appreciation of local landscapes. 

In 2023–2024, the university advanced its sustainable building commitments through major infrastructure upgrades, integration of eco-friendly materials, and adoption of smart technologies for ventilation, lighting, and water systems. All construction activities were monitored in alignment with the Sustainable Building and Campus Planning Policy. 

The report also highlights AAU’s collaborative efforts with municipalities and national stakeholders on community-planning projects, including advisory participation in the national study on decent housing in Jordan. Additional engagements through the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Arena Complex, Global Engagement Center, and Teaching & Learning Center strengthened AAU’s role as a hub for urban innovation and cultural enrichment. 

Overall, the 2023–2024 report presents a structured, policy-guided pathway toward sustainable development—one that prioritizes urban inclusivity, cultural vitality, smart campus systems, and community-centered planning. These foundations positioned AAU to accelerate its SDG11 impact in the following year. 

Link: 

• Full Report link 

• Executive Report Link: 

Impact Evaluation & Development Plan 

1. Performance Evaluation
   
   1. Structured Assessment Tools

   AAU employs a comprehensive evaluation system to assess performance in Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11). Assessment tools include infrastructure compliance checklists, sustainable building audits, accessibility evaluations, heritage-preservation rubrics, urban design quality indicators, and community-engagement measurement tools. These instruments evaluate public-space safety, cultural heritage support, walkability, mobility efficiency, building sustainability, and community inclusiveness. 

   2. Annual Assessment Cycles

   Annual assessment cycles are implemented across all facilities and academic units. These cycles track improvements in sustainable construction, green-space management, housing affordability, pedestrian priority, urban resilience, public arts participation, and alignment with national urban planning standards. The data collected support continuous enhancement of AAU’s physical infrastructure and community outreach systems. 

   3. Quantitative & Qualitative Indicators

   AAU uses a blended indicator framework that includes: 

   • quantitative measures: sustainable building compliance rates, public-space usage, accessible facilities counts, sustainable commuting metrics, housing satisfaction levels; 
   • qualitative measures: community feedback, cultural engagement reflections, design innovation portfolios, and heritage-learning outcomes. 

   This multidimensional approach provides a comprehensive view of SDG11 institutional performance. 

   4. Integration with Curriculum & Campus Development

   Findings from SDG11 evaluations are used to inform campus planning decisions, design studio curricula, cultural programming, and mobility initiatives. Academic departments integrate urban sustainability principles, heritage protection, and smart design practices into course outcomes and graduation projects. 

   5. Transparency and Public Reporting

   All SDG11 assessments are validated and published through: 
   • AAU Sustainability Report 2024–2025 
   • SDG11 Executive Sustainability Report 
   • AAU Sustainability Portal 

   ensuring institutional transparency and compliance with THE Impact reporting standards. 

   
   
2. Development Actions
   

   Action 1: Campus-Wide Sustainable Building Audit Annual audit of all campus buildings to ensure full compliance with sustainable construction standards. 
   Target: 100% compliance by 2027. 

   Action 2: Cultural Heritage Access Program Annual program granting public access to campus cultural spaces and organizing heritage-focused visits and events. 
   Target: Minimum 10 public heritage activities per year. 

   Action 3: Smart Mobility & Pedestrian Priority Initiative Deploy smart mobility indicators, improve pedestrian pathways, and expand green corridors. 
   Target: Increase pedestrian mobility rate by 25% by 2026. 

   Action 4: Affordable Housing Monitoring Dashboard Digital dashboard tracking student/staff housing accessibility, cost, and satisfaction. 
   Target: Launch by 2026. 

   Action 5: Local Authority Urban Planning Collaboration 
   Annual joint projects with municipalities on sustainable city planning and housing policy. 
   Target: At least 3 collaborations per year. 

   
   
3. Benchmarking & Best Practice 
   

   AAU benchmarks its SDG11 framework against leading global universities such as: 

   • University of British Columbia (Green Campus Systems) 
   • University of Melbourne (Urban Resilience Frameworks) 
   • University of Cambridge (Cultural Heritage and Urban Inclusion) 
   • University of Gothenburg (Sustainable Mobility Strategies) 

   Best Practices Adopted: 

   • sustainable campus master planning 
   • heritage preservation integration in academic programs 
   • smart mobility and walkability systems 
   • public arts and cultural participation models 
   • community-inclusive urban design 
   • transparent sustainability dashboards 

   Localization to Jordan’s Context: All practices are aligned with: 

   • Jordan National Urban Development & Housing Strategy 
   • Ministry of Culture Heritage Framework 
   • National Green Growth Plan 
   • AAU Arts and Cultural Heritage Support Policy 
   • AAU Sustainable Building and Campus Planning Policy 
   • Public Access to Heritage Buildings Procedure 
   • Sustainable Commuting and Housing Practices Policy 

   Future Goal (by 2028) Establish the AAU Urban Sustainability Observatory, dedicated to measuring sustainable mobility, urban resilience, cultural preservation outcomes, and green-building performance. 

   
   

   Institutional Integration Summary 

   AAU integrates SDG11 across institutional systems through a robust framework of policies, procedures, infrastructure planning, cultural programming, mobility strategies, and community partnerships. The Sustainability & International Ranking Center (SIRC) leads the coordination and reporting process, while multiple units including the Faculty of Architecture and Design, General Supplies Department, Arena Complex, Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Medical Services Department, TLC, GEC, and Hourani e-Learning Center collaborate to advance inclusive, sustainable, and culturally vibrant campus environments. 

   Through evidence-based building standards, urban design practices, cultural heritage support, accessible public spaces, and strong community collaboration, AAU ensures that its campus serves as a model of sustainable, resilient, and livable urban development that strengthens SDG11 and contributes directly to SDG4, SDG5, SDG7, SDG10, SDG12, SDG13, and SDG17.