Universities, Regional Development
and Sustainability
Walter Leal Filho
Abstract This final paper summarises some of the lessons learned from the book
and outlines some areas where further action is needed, and via which universities
may maximize their contributions in fostering sustainable development at the local
level.
Keywords Universities · Sustainability · Higher education · Regions · Science
1 Introduction
Universities are widely acknowledged as institutions where the combination of good
quality teaching, well founded research and an extensive programme of extension
(i.e. courses, seminars and events targeted to further and continuing education) provides a significant contribution to a country’s scientific and economic development.
Universities are institutions constantly in transition and always developing themselves (Göransson and Brundenius 2011). They are also proven to help to develop
the human capacity in their regions (Abel and Deitz 2011).
No matter where they are located, it is a matter of fact that Universities are intimately associated with the city they are based. This is particularly so in cities of small
(up to 90,000 inhabitants) and medium sizes (e.g. up to 200,000 inhabitants) where
local universities are important employers (sometime being the top or number two
after the city administrations). In these contexts, universities can very much influence
a city’s cultural diversity and the existence of amenities. In all cities hosting universities—be them large or small—there are theaters, cinemas and a lively programme
of cultural activities. In addition, in those cities which host many universities this
trend is even clearer: not only the high number of university students means that the
substantial infra-structure needed to host them is available (from public transport to
housing), but also because their purchase power is very important to the economies
W. Leal Filho (B)
European School of Sustainability Science and Research, Hamburg University of Applied
Sciences, Ulmenliet 20, 21033 Hamburg, Germany
e-mail: walter.leal2@haw-hamburg.de
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
W. Leal Filho et al. (eds.), Universities and Sustainable Communities:
Meeting the Goals of the Agenda 2030, World Sustainability Series,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30306-8_52
833
and Sustainability
Walter Leal Filho
Abstract This final paper summarises some of the lessons learned from the book
and outlines some areas where further action is needed, and via which universities
may maximize their contributions in fostering sustainable development at the local
level.
Keywords Universities · Sustainability · Higher education · Regions · Science
1 Introduction
Universities are widely acknowledged as institutions where the combination of good
quality teaching, well founded research and an extensive programme of extension
(i.e. courses, seminars and events targeted to further and continuing education) provides a significant contribution to a country’s scientific and economic development.
Universities are institutions constantly in transition and always developing themselves (Göransson and Brundenius 2011). They are also proven to help to develop
the human capacity in their regions (Abel and Deitz 2011).
No matter where they are located, it is a matter of fact that Universities are intimately associated with the city they are based. This is particularly so in cities of small
(up to 90,000 inhabitants) and medium sizes (e.g. up to 200,000 inhabitants) where
local universities are important employers (sometime being the top or number two
after the city administrations). In these contexts, universities can very much influence
a city’s cultural diversity and the existence of amenities. In all cities hosting universities—be them large or small—there are theaters, cinemas and a lively programme
of cultural activities. In addition, in those cities which host many universities this
trend is even clearer: not only the high number of university students means that the
substantial infra-structure needed to host them is available (from public transport to
housing), but also because their purchase power is very important to the economies
W. Leal Filho (B)
European School of Sustainability Science and Research, Hamburg University of Applied
Sciences, Ulmenliet 20, 21033 Hamburg, Germany
e-mail: walter.leal2@haw-hamburg.de
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
W. Leal Filho et al. (eds.), Universities and Sustainable Communities:
Meeting the Goals of the Agenda 2030, World Sustainability Series,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30306-8_52
833