Focus topics of the Centre for Sustainable Development

The key issues of sustainable development include the need to change complex societal, cultural, ecological and technological systems. We address these issues comprehensively through collaboration between the university’s four faculties, the museums and students, and through research and teaching. The experts of the Centre for Sustainable Development identify focus topics in which interdisciplinary discussions and research studies will be initiated. After initial brainstorming, we have defined four major problem areas. 

We have summarised these in the drawing below to stimulate ideas, encourage cooperation, and not to exclude anyone or set rigid boundaries. In some topics, we already have long-term experience and more specific project initiatives. The debate on sustainable economic systems in Estonia is still in its infancy. 

In the central part of the figure are the overarching topics through which we can develop relevant interdisciplinary cooperation. For example, the critical aspects of integrated spatial planning include the energy efficiency of buildings, the transport network, the preservation and restoration of natural assets, the reduction of CO2 emissions, as well as the quality of public spaces and their accessibility for various groups, including vulnerable groups.

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