SDG 15. Life On Land – sdg.knuba.edu.ua

Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture (KNUCA) recognises that sustainable land use and biodiversity conservation are fundamental to environmental resilience, human well-being, and climate stability. In alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 15 “Life on Land”, the university integrates land restoration, sustainable forestry, soil conservation, and biodiversity protection into its academic, research, and operational policies.

KNUCA’s mission is to promote sustainable urban and rural landscapes, preserve natural habitats, and support ecosystem services through science-based education, applied research, and community partnerships. The institution’s Environmental Policy commits to preventing land degradation, fostering green spaces, and protecting biodiversity within and beyond its campuses.

Research on Ecosystems and Land Management

Research at KNUCA plays a central role in achieving SDG 15 targets. The university’s scientists and postgraduate researchers conduct multidisciplinary studies on soil quality, vegetation recovery, landscape ecology, afforestation, and environmental monitoring.

Ongoing projects examine soil erosion control in urban and agricultural zones, restoration of degraded lands, and design of green infrastructure to increase biodiversity in cities. Publications indexed in Scopus contribute to the Elsevier SDG 15 keyword areas: land degradation, soil fertility, forest restoration, habitat conservation, and ecosystem resilience.

KNUCA’s researchers collaborate with the Institute of Agroecology and Environmental Management of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, developing nature-based solutions for carbon sequestration and sustainable forestry practices. International cooperation with universities in Germany, Poland, and Lithuania focuses on reforestation of post-industrial areas and land reclamation after construction and mining activities.

Campus Greening and Sustainable Landscaping

KNUCA has transformed its campus into a model of urban biodiversity and sustainable landscaping. Over 3 000 trees and shrubs have been planted in the last decade, forming a green belt that improves air quality and supports pollinators.

Landscape architecture students design and maintain eco-zones, rain gardens, and green roofs that absorb runoff, enhance soil fertility, and reduce the urban heat-island effect. The university uses native and drought-resistant plant species to conserve water and increase resilience to climate change.

The Green Campus Programme encourages students and staff to participate in tree-planting campaigns, biodiversity surveys, and habitat restoration activities, directly contributing to the forest restoration and biodiversity conservation indicators of SDG 15.

Soil Conservation and Land Restoration

KNUCA’s Department of Environmental Engineering has developed innovative methods for soil stabilisation, erosion prevention, and remediation of contaminated sites. Pilot projects in Kyiv and central Ukraine apply bio-engineering technologies, vegetation mats, and geotextiles to rehabilitate degraded slopes and construction zones.

In collaboration with local authorities, the university provides expertise in sustainable land-use planning for industrial and residential developments, integrating ecological impact assessments and landscape preservation principles. These projects ensure that construction activities adhere to sustainable land management standards and environmental impact reduction policies.

Forestry, Biodiversity, and Ecosystem Protection

Although located in an urban environment, KNUCA actively supports forest and wildlife conservation through education and outreach. Partnerships with regional forestry departments promote afforestation and reforestation programmes aimed at restoring degraded forests in Kyiv Oblast and Carpathian regions.

Students and staff participate in biodiversity monitoring, mapping endangered plant and animal species, and developing management plans for protected areas and green corridors. The university’s researchers contribute to studies on invasive species control, habitat connectivity, and forest fire prevention.

Annual events such as Green Planet Week and Tree for the Future engage local communities in ecological restoration, emphasising the link between healthy forests, climate resilience, and human well-being.

Education and Public Awareness

Sustainability and biodiversity protection are embedded in the university’s curricula across all levels. Courses in environmental science, landscape architecture, ecology, and sustainable urban development integrate SDG 15 concepts, including ecosystem services, conservation policy, and climate adaptation.

KNUCA regularly conducts public lectures, seminars, and field workshops on sustainable land use, nature-based solutions, and biodiversity monitoring. Educational activities are coordinated with the Kyiv Eco-Alliance, local schools, and municipalities to raise public awareness of land degradation, deforestation, and habitat loss.

Student-led organisations promote citizen science projects, wildlife photography exhibitions, and eco-tourism initiatives that connect people with nature and inspire stewardship of terrestrial ecosystems.

Policies and Governance

The university’s Sustainable Land and Biodiversity Policy provides the institutional framework for land management, campus greening, and environmental protection. The policy aligns with ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standards and national biodiversity strategies.

It establishes commitments to:

maintain and expand green spaces within the campus and regional centres;
integrate biodiversity protection into construction and design practices;
prevent soil degradation and contamination during building operations;
support research and public engagement in land restoration;
publish annual progress reports with open-access evidence.

These actions fulfil the Existence + Evidence + Public Access requirements under the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 methodology.

Community and Global Engagement

KNUCA participates in national reforestation and biodiversity conservation programmes supported by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine. The university also joins global campaigns such as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), contributing knowledge and practical solutions to restore degraded landscapes.

Collaborations with UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme, European Green Deal projects, and Nature-based Solutions initiatives strengthen KNUCA’s role in shaping sustainable land policies and ecological restoration practices.

Through the Community Forestry Partnership Programme, KNUCA helps local authorities develop management plans for urban parks, botanical gardens, and peri-urban forests, ensuring public participation and ecosystem integrity.

Monitoring, Transparency, and Reporting

KNUCA conducts annual biodiversity and soil monitoring to track ecosystem health and inform decision-making. Indicators include tree density, vegetation diversity, soil organic content, and green-area ratios per student.

The university publishes all monitoring data and reports on its SDG portal sdg.knuba.edu.ua, ensuring open access to evidence for national and international benchmarking. These actions reinforce KNUCA’s reputation as a transparent and accountable leader in environmental governance.

Innovation and Future Goals

KNUCA plans to establish a Centre for Ecosystem Restoration and Green Infrastructure to support interdisciplinary research on land restoration, forest ecology, and carbon-neutral construction. Future goals include:

achieving a 30 % increase in campus green cover by 2030;
restoring at least 100 hectares of degraded land through student and community projects;
integrating biodiversity offsetting mechanisms into construction curricula;
publishing open datasets on land-use change and biodiversity trends;
participating in EU-funded landscape ecology projects and the Horizon Europe Nature Restoration Mission.