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For policymakers

To those with the responsibility for developing the policies that shape lives of the people in Nottingham, what is the role and value of our universities?

For policymakers

See how the University of Nottingham helped bring people together to create the low energy housing development at Trent Basin

The University of Nottingham has helped bring ideas, people and businesses together to test low energy housing and community energy solutions at Trent Basin.

Trent Basin is a low energy housing development next to the River Trent in Nottingham. The University of Nottingham, the University of Loughborough and partners from industry have come together to develop solutions for sustainable living – from greener energy generation to sustainable housing development models.

Nick Ebbs led the development of Trent Basin, through Blueprint, a public-private housing development partnership, which is run by Igloo. By drawing on the expertise at the University of Nottingham and making links between industry and experts, a test bed has been created in the heart of the city.

A model of the Trent Basin housing development

Residents benefit from being part of the energy community at Trent Basin, enjoying access to cutting edge technology.

Having a living, breathing sustainable housing experiment in Nottingham brings additional opportunity to the area – skilled jobs and the chance to be part of finding solutions to the global challenge of climate change.

Nick Ebbs pointing at an energy diagram

“Trent Basin is a physical manifestation of the research and innovation that goes on at the universities in Nottingham. It results in greener and cheaper living for the residents, job opportunities and responds to one of the world’s most pressing challenges, climate change.”

Nick Ebbs, Vice Chair, igloo Regeneration

Read more stories like Nick’s below.

Explore the impact of the universities in more detail

Our 15,000 international students from 137 different countries deliver a £145 million economic boost to the local economy every year

Together we would be the third largest employer in Nottinghamshire

Our presence brings an additional 52,000 visitors to the city and county each year

The Creative Quarter Company was set up, and is jointly owned, by Nottingham Trent University and Nottingham City Council to grow Nottingham’s creative economy

Both universities are working with the City Council to meet ambitious sustainability targets – the University of Nottingham have cut annual carbon emissions by 14,000 tonnes since 2010, while NTU estimate their emissions have fallen by 47% per student and member of staff since 2005