UNU Hub on Climate Resilience and Sustainable Technologies - CREST
Leading the Global Response to Climate Challenges
On April 8, 2025, the TUD | Dresden University of Technology and the United Nations University signed a cooperation agreement to establish the UNU Hub Climate Resilience and Sustainable Technologies (CREST).
Strategic Focus
The new hub will combine the interdisciplinary expertise of TUD and UNU-FLORES to address global climate challenges by integrating engineering, environmental sciences, and socio-economic analysis. With this goal in mind, CREST will develop scalable technologies for climate adaptation and sustainable innovation. The hub will be actively engaged in the fields of education, research, and knowledge transfer.
Global Relevance
The UNU Hub CREST aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and actively contributes to their implementation - among others:
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 13 Climate Action
Activity Pillars
CREST's unique approach combines the key thematic areas climate change adaptation and governance, and technology and innovation for sustainability. In this context, the three core elements – education, research and transfer – are strategically leveraged to bridge science, policy and practice.
Resilient Infrastructure Design
adaptive infrastructure, e.g., flood-proof urban drainage systems and safe-to-fail infrastructure
Advanced Water Management Systems
nature-based solutions and green infrastructure, e.g., water retention through wetlands and permeable pavements
Digital Innovation
AI-based environmental monitoring, real-time prediction systems, urban digital twins
Indo-German Joint Master Program on Water Security and Global Change
interdisciplinary training in hydrology, environmental engineering, and policy development
Internships within UNU system
competency development of future environmental leaders
Summer Schools and Workshops
academic exchange between the Global North and South
Digital Learning Platforms
worldwide curriculum access
Transfer Workshops and Conferences
knowledge transfer by engaging policymakers, engineers, and community leaders
“Transfer and Monitoring Concept (TMC)”
Policy Dialogues
supporting evidence-based decision-making on local, national and international level
Pilot Projects
real-world tech testing in community contexts with scalable models
Core Aspects
- The "Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre - ABCD-Centre" and the associated Indo-German Joint Master Program "Water Security and Global Change"
ABCD-Centre "join us" © https://youtu.be/49hKQ1jnrQE
- Transfer-oriented research ecosystem with UNU-FLORES using the Nexus Approach
- Use of digital twin technologies (e.g. for water infrastructure and risk analysis)
- Part of a strong international network and excellent partnerships:
Leadership Team
Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Stamm
Deputy Director: Dr. rer. nat. André Lindner
Contact Us
© Thorsten Eckert
Managing Director
NameMr Dr. rer. nat. André Lindner
& Advisor Internationalisation
Send encrypted email via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Visitors' Address:
Hülsse-Bau, south wing, room 384 Helmholtzstr. 10
01069 Dresden
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