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Creation of city centre gardens lands Coventry University two top sustainability awards in a week
The Grounds Team at Coventry University
University news
Tuesday 26 November 2024
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The creation of a green oasis in the heart of the city on the site of two former Coventry University buildings has been recognised with two major sustainability awards.
The Green Gown Award, in the category of Nature Positive, and the Green Flag Award for Best Climate Adaption, were both won earlier this month.
Coventry University demolished the Alan Berry and James Starley buildings to make way for the Peace Garden opposite Coventry Cathedral and Starley Gardens in Cox Street, transforming the spine of the campus into a green space for people and wildlife to co-exist.
The Green Flag prize, is considered a ‘best of the best’ accolade as only projects to have won prestigious Green Flag Awards earlier in the year are open for consideration. It not only recognises the creation of a vibrant green space, but also its impact in the fight against climate change.
The Green Gown Awards recognise exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges across the UK and Ireland.
These are major awards for the university, as they demonstrate our commitment to creating a sustainable campus that transforms the grey to the green, which is welcoming to people and wildlife.
The awards recognise the hard work of the university Grounds team and the wider Estates team in creating an exciting, relaxing and stimulating external environment in which to live, study or work.
Jamie Whitehouse, Grounds and Public Realm Manager at Coventry University
The gardens include wildflower meadows, biodiverse friendly planting, tree planting, informal social spaces and a prominent sculpture by local artist George Wagstaffe.
The new lawned landscaping on the former Alan Berry site also allows stunning views of Coventry Cathedral, hosts cultural events and is connected to the university’s edible garden.
The Environmental and Grounds Team works in collaboration with academic departments, such as the Centre of Agroecology, Water and Resilience (CAWR), and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust to deliver events like bee walks and hedgehog talks for the campus community.
Winning these awards is a major achievement for the Group and a validation of our commitment to building a greener, more sustainable campus.
It underpins our ongoing dedication to working with local and global collaborators to tackle global sustainability challenges, address climate change and create better futures for our communities.
Professor John Latham, CBE, Vice-Chancellor of Coventry University Group
Coventry University is working hard to become net zero by 2030, a target being supported by a grant of almost £13million from the Department for Energy Security’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
The money will help towards the cost of installing around 1,300 new solar panels and connecting nine Coventry University buildings to the city's district energy network.
Find out more about the Green Gown and Green Flag Awards.
