The University of Bradford shortlisted for Green Gown Awards
The University has been shortlisted in two categories of the Green Gown Awards for its innovative Bright Building and for its unique accessible garden.
The Veg Out Patch has been shortlisted for the ‘student engagement’ category, this is the first fully wheelchair accessible gardening site in any UK university. It was designed and constructed in collaboration with Cycling 4 All in the Students Union and the University’s Estates and Gardening team.
As Bradford is a sector leader in the provision of disabled student opportunities, the garden site works towards ensuring that disabled students have an equivalent student experience as non-disabled students by proving opportunities for inclusion, accessibility and sustainability. The garden consists of 16 raised beds that are used by a combination of students and staff who work together to share expertise, learn about sustainability and develop social networks that reduce the risk of social isolation.
Also a finalist in the ‘Built Environment’ category is the Bright building, which houses the re:centre, this is at the cutting edge of sustainable construction, providing a physical interpretation of the University’s Ecoversity programme. The building is designed to the University’s unique and target-driven Sustainable Building Specification and received the highest ever BREEAM score for a University building at 95.2%, placing it in the top 1% of buildings in terms of sustainability and reducing environmental impact.
Clive Wilson, Director of Estates and Facilities at the University, said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for the 2015 Green Gown awards. This is the ninth time running we have reached the finals and this year we are particularly proud to be shortlisted in these two categories.
“This year’s submissions recognise the University’s commitment to using innovative cutting-edge technology and also acknowledges our pledge to work together to make university accessible to everyone. By working together with staff and students from across the University we have been able to adapt cycles and enable students with a disability to engage in a whole range of sports and activities such as last month’s remarkable coast to coast challenge.”
The Awards are the most prestigious recognition of sustainability excellence within the tertiary education sector, as well as the environmental sector.
This year 157 applications were received across 14 categories and the winners will be announced at the Green Gown Awards Ceremony 2015 on 26 November in Bristol.