SDG 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: UzhNU Progress in 2025
In 2025, UzhNU established the SMART City Research and Educational Institute for Multidisciplinary Studies, studied urban nature restoration with partners from the Visegrad Group countries, and worked to preserve the cultural heritage of the Carpathian region. The University’s shelters, with capacity for up to 5,200 people, were also used by IDPs and Uzhhorod residents during air raid alerts.
Key figures, 2025
| Indicator | Value |
| Capacity of University shelters (12 facilities) | up to 5,200 people |
| DRANICA.24 project (intangible woodworking heritage), grant to UzhNU | EUR 119,952 |
| Trees / shrubs / flowers planted on University grounds | over 125 / 2,376 / 2,345 |
| Green areas maintained | 28 plots, 33.5 ha |
| UI GreenMetric: Setting and Infrastructure / Transportation | 860 (+75) / 1,050 (+75) |
| Student internships at Uzhhorod City Council, “First Career Step” | 24 March – 4 April |
City and urban planning
• The SMART City Institute (Director: D. Kaints) researches urban studies, architecture, infrastructure and energy efficiency. UzhNU students took part in the Winter School of Urbanism “Post-war Kharkiv: Urban Transformation and Recovery” (2–5 December).
• The Visegrad Fund project “Back to Nature” (WF2V4) studies nature restoration in Ostrava, Pécs, Gdańsk, Prešov and Uzhhorod.
• The Department of Urban Construction and Management trains specialists for post-war reconstruction together with Oregon State University: 5 UzhNU representatives are studying tuition-free in the Construction Management programme with a mentor from Jacobs.
Cultural heritage
• DRANICA.24, with partners from Romania and Hungary, is preparing a technical handbook on traditional woodworking and master classes; the official launch took place on 28 March at the UzhNU Archaeological Museum.
• The UzhNU Volunteer Office, together with Hungarian partners, funded the excavation of St George’s Church at Uzhhorod Castle: 3D scanning, a new exhibition, heritage protection recommendations and a catalogue of finds.
• Heritage registration documentation was prepared for the buildings of the Faculties of Physics, Law and Medicine, and protection agreements are being prepared; the Electronic Library provides open access to rare “Carpathica” publications.
Safety and community
• The shelter at 14 Universytetska Street and the shelters of the Faculties of Physics and Medicine and the dormitories have water supplies, first-aid kits and heaters and are open to city residents.
• Twice a year, together with Uzhhorod City Council and the NGO “Zelenyi Varosh”, the eco-campaign “Uzhhorod for a Clean Environment” was held; in December a competition of eco-ideas for the city was announced.
• UzhNU contributes to updating the Zakarpattia Regional Development Strategy to 2027 and the Kyiv City Recovery Strategy.
