UNU Hub on Climate Resilience and Sustainable Technologies - CREST

TUD Dresden University of Technology (TUD) and the United Nations University signed a cooperation agreement on April 8, 2025 to establish the UNU Hub Climate Resilience and Sustainable Technologies (CREST).

Closer cooperation on the sustainable use of resources: TUD and United Nations University to establish Center for Climate Resilience and Sustainability in Dresden

Strategic focus

The new hub will combine the interdisciplinary expertise of TUD and UNU Resource Nexus to address global climate challenges by integrating engineering and environmental sciences as well as socio-economic analysis. With this goal in mind, CREST will develop scalable technologies for climate adaptation and sustainable innovation. The hub will be active in the areas of activity of research, education and knowledge transfer.

Global relevance

The UNU Hub CREST is aligned with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 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

Pillars of activity

CREST's unique interdisciplinary approach combines the key areas of climate adaptation and governance as well as technology and innovation for sustainability. In this context, the three core elements - research, education and transfer - are strategically used to build a bridge between science, policy and practice.

I. Research, development & innovation

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

II. Education, training & capacity building

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

III. Outreach, advocacy & impact

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 German-Indian Joint Master's Program "Water Security and Global Change"

ABCD-Centre "join us" © https://youtu.be/49hKQ1jnrQE

Transfer-oriented research ecosystem with UNU Resource Nexus using the Nexus Approach
Use of digital twin technologies (e.g. for water infrastructure and risk analysis)
Development and publication of position papers / policy briefs:
- Policy Brief: Resilient by Design - Integrating Water and Climate in Higher Education for a Sustainable Future
Part of a strong international network and excellent partnerships:
- Clusters of Excellence CARE and ^REC2
- Centers CIPSEM and PRISMA
- Dresden-concept and EUTOPIA University Alliance alliances

Head

Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Stamm
Deputy Director: Dr. rer. nat. André Lindner

contact

Managing Director

Mr Dr. rer. nat. André Lindner

& Advisor Internationalisation

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School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

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Visitors' Address:

Hülsse-Bau, south wing, room 384 Helmholtzstr. 10

01069 Dresden

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