Making Change Together: How communities are leading the way to a sustainable city

These creative approaches helped make complex issues tangible and inclusive, allowing residents from diverse cultural and social backgrounds to engage meaningfully in imagining their future city. 

‘Art gave everyone a way in,’ said visual artist and UTS Senior Lecturer, Dr Pat Grant. ‘It turned abstract systems into something personal and real.’ 

Universities as neighbours 

The project also demonstrates how universities can act as true anchor institutions – not just places of learning, but partners in community transformation. 

Through the Social Impact Lab, UTS contributed research expertise, student volunteers, and, crucially, a commitment to redistributing power. 

‘UTS didn’t come in with the answers. They listened, they stayed, and they built trust,’ said one community partner. ‘That’s what made people want to be involved.’ 

‘This project showed what happens when universities stop talking at communities and start working with them,’ said project co-lead Dr. Kathleen Blair. ’It’s slower, it’s messier, but it’s also where the most meaningful change happens.’ 

Where traditional engagement might extract community knowledge for academic purposes, this model flips the script: community members are co-researchers, co-designers and decision-makers.

‘UTS has really embedded its brand locally,’ one community leader reflected. ‘They’ve made things happen because they’re part of the community, not apart from it.’

The road ahead 

All three community projects have continued beyond their initial funding, with new partnerships and activities already emerging.  
To share what they’ve learned, the Social Impact Lab has published a practical toolkit – Making Change Together – offering step-by-step guidance for practitioners and communities who want to replicate the model. 

The work has shown that building sustainable cities isn’t just about infrastructure – it’s about relationships, equity, and shared leadership. 

‘Change doesn’t have to be imposed from the top,’ said Nick Grinpukel, co-lead of the project. ‘When people are trusted to lead, the impact can be extraordinary.’

Find out more

The Social Impact Lab invites other universities, councils, and community organisations to explore the Making Change Together toolkit, available free online. 

Discover how to embed creativity, care and collaboration in your sustainability journey. Read the full research report Community-led Sustainable Cities: How local place-based leadership is powering sustainability transitions.

Upcoming event – Commuity-led Sustainable Cities

When: Thursday 12 March, 1–2.30pm
Where: UTS Great Hall

Climate change is a global challenge – but its impacts are felt locally. From extreme heat and rising costs to waste and energy pressures, building a sustainable future depends on solutions that reflect the realities of everyday life.

Too often, climate responses are designed from the top down. While policy is critical, lasting change happens when communities are trusted as leaders and co-designers of solutions.

This forum brings together community leaders and university partners involved in the Community-led Sustainable Cities initiative, a collaboration between residents across Glebe, Haymarket, Pyrmont and Ultimo and UTS.

Panellists Tania Thompson, Yimmy Seifert, Dr Glen Powell (Wesley Mission), and Nick Grinpukel (UTS) will share how local knowledge, lived experience and partnership can turn ideas into action – from a revitalised social housing garden to clothing swaps and a suburb-level climate forum.

Join us for a practical conversation about power, participation and what it really takes to build a just, community-led transition.

Register