SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

At FAU, we are committed to enhancing public access to culturally significant and historically important university buildings.

• Botanical Garden (Botanischer Garten)
  The FAU-operated Botanical Garden is open to the public, offering access to both botanical and heritage spaces under a publicly available house-rules framework.
  FAU Botanical Garden – Visitor Regulations
• Historic Old University Library
  The Alte Universitätsbibliothek, a protected monument dating from the Kaiser period, is featured in public tours—especially during the „Long Night of Sciences“—providing direct engagement with our architectural heritage.
• Main University Library (Hauptbibliothek)
  The FAU’s Main Library is committed to Open Access, offering free access to academic information and research results to all members of the public. It was opened to the public on November 4, 1974, marking its longstanding role in community outreach and knowledge stewardship.
   

At FAU, we are committed to ensuring public access to a rich variety of museum spaces, exhibitions, and artefacts.

• FAU Collections (e.g., Anatomical, Botanical, Zoological, Geological)
   FAU oversees an extensive range of institutional collections—spanning fields such as anatomy, botany, zoology, paleontology, and more. Many offer free guided access on request or are featured during events (e.g., Long Night of Sciences), underscoring FAU’s deep commitment to culturally engaged academic heritage.
• “Beyond Boundaries” Exhibition in Schlossgarten
   A contemporary art installation that was freely accessible in the Schlossgarten in 2024. Visitor-facing signage and guided tours by curating students enhance accessibility.
• “Kollektive Konzeptfotografie” Exhibition at the University Library
   A student-curated exhibition in May 2024, hosted in the FAU library display space. Fully free-of-charge.
   

At FAU, we aim to foster open public access to green and open spaces, reflecting our dedication to Environmental Outreach, Well-being, and Community Engagement. Two key locations exemplify this commitment:

• Botanical Garden (Freiland & Greenhouses)
  The outdoor areas of the FAU Botanical Garden are permanently open, and the greenhouses are accessible free of charge, offering the public year-round access to diverse flora.
  Visit the Botanical Garden – FAU
• Aroma Garden (Aromagarten)
  Located in the Palmsanlage, the FAU-managed Aroma Garden is open daily from early April to late October, with free admission during these months.

In 2024, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) made a significant contribution to the local arts and cultural life through its University Music Department.

FAU’s university choirs, orchestras, and ensembles gave around 35 public performances throughout the year. These included:

• Two large symphonic concerts by the University Orchestra Erlangen in the Lades-Halle, each attended by approximately 1,200 people
• Two major concerts by the Academic Choir in cooperation with a professional external orchestra
• Two concert nights showcasing diverse student ensembles
• Multiple performances by the FAU Big Band
• A concert tour to Bolzano (Italy) featuring the JRP Choir and Big Band
• Several performances by the JRP Choir and various chamber music groups across the region.

Through these events, FAU actively supports and contributes to local arts, offering regular public performances that engage both the university and the wider community.

FAU embraces a comprehensive role in documenting and preserving cultural heritage, encompassing both tangible collections and the structures that sustain them. Our institutional infrastructure and practices affirm a commitment to Cultural Stewardship, Heritage Preservation, and Digital Sustainability.Collections & Museums at FAU

• Collections & Museums at FAU
   FAU supports over 20 specialized collections—from anatomical and botanical to geoscientific and archival holdings. Although not all are publicly accessible, many are available via guided access by request or featured during major public events. The central coordination unit enriches these efforts through digital documentation, public outreach, and cooperative exhibit initiatives.
• Digitization & Public Access Initiatives
  Projects such as „Objekte im Netz“, in partnership with the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, have developed digital strategies for multiple FAU collections—including graphical, medical, geoscientific, school-history, and musical instrument collections—ensuring their accessibility and integration into research and the WissKI digital infrastructure.
• Schulgeschichtliche Sammlung (School-History Collection)
  This collection provides educational exhibits and traveling displays, accompanied by innovative didactic formats for learners of all ages, supported through FAU’s coordination of permanent and mobile exhibitions. It fosters deep engagement with the history of schooling and museum pedagogy.

The Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) promotes sustainable commuting across its campuses in Erlangen, Nürnberg, and Fürth, serving around 40,000 students and 6,500 staff. To reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from commuting, FAU monitors travel behavior through online surveys and calculates a modal split, measuring the proportion of trips made by walking, cycling, public transport, e-scooter, or private car. Based on these data, the University has set GHG reduction targets for commuting: a 10 % reduction by 2030 and 17 % by 2035.FAU actively promotes sustainable commuting through a wide range of initiatives. These include expanding bicycle parking and service facilities, introducing bike-sharing and e-scooter stations, supporting electric mobility, offering subsidized job tickets and semester tickets for public transport, encouraging carpooling, and increasing the availability of home office options. Regular campaigns and information campaigns raise awareness of low-emission travel options.

A comprehensive mobility action plan integrates seven focus areas – bicycle, intermodal transport, public transport, private vehicles, communication, organization, and monitoring. Measures are continuously evaluated for effectiveness, feasibility, and financial sustainability, ensuring that sustainable commuting is a long-term priority at FAU.

At FAU, pedestrian access is prioritised in key campus areas to promote safe and sustainable mobility. For example, the Botanical Garden is accessible only on foot, ensuring a calm and secure environment for visitors while encouraging walking as a primary mode of transport. This approach supports the University’s commitment to sustainable and low-emission commuting and enhances the overall campus experience.
 

FAU is committed to supporting affordable housing for its student community across Erlangen, Nürnberg, and surrounding areas, ensuring accessibility and equitable opportunities for all learners.

• Collaboration with Studierendenwerk Erlangen-Nürnberg
  FAU works closely with the regional student services organization, the Studierendenwerk Erlangen-Nürnberg, which manages 22 student residences offering over 3,700 living spaces in Erlangen, Nürnberg, Ingolstadt, and Eichstätt.
• Support for International Students
  FAU also provides guidance for international students and visiting researchers, including temporary accommodations in guest houses to facilitate integration into the local community.

FAU actively supports remote working: employees are offered the option to work up to 50 % of their hours from home, alongside flexible working arrangements.

By formally embedding telecommuting in its employment policy, FAU contributes to reducing commuter travel and promoting sustainable work practices. The evidence is publicly accessible, demonstrating FAU’s commitment to flexible and environmentally responsible workplace standards.

The FAU actively collaborates with local authorities and housing associations to address urban planning and development challenges, ensuring that local residents and university staff have access to affordable housing. As part of this commitment, FAU and GEWO Bau have developed 88 new staff apartments at the University Hospital Erlangen. These apartments are designed to provide comfortable, long-term housing options for employees, easing commuting pressures and contributing to a sustainable, inclusive local community. The project reflects FAU’s dedication to socially responsible development and strategic partnerships with municipal stakeholders.

For more information, see the full article here.

The Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) actively utilizes brownfield sites to expand its campus sustainably. One prominent example is the development at Henkestraße 42, located in close proximity to the Himbeerpalast and the main cafeteria at Langemarckplatz. This site will host the second building complex for the new Humanities Centre, providing a modern home for lecture halls, the Audimax, and various institutes of the Faculty of Philosophy and Theology.

Through projects like this, FAU demonstrates its commitment to sustainable campus development by repurposing brownfield sites, contributing to urban revitalization while providing state-of-the-art facilities for students and staff.