Sustainable infrastructure
Sustainable infrastructure
The Autonomous University of Nuevo León (UANL) is the most important higher education institution in northern Mexico and one of the largest in Latin America, both in terms of student enrollment and infrastructure. It currently has 26 faculties and 29 high schools, distributed across seven university campuses and 86 schools located in 36 of the 51 municipalities that make up the state of Nuevo León.
Five of the UANL campuses are located in the Monterrey Metropolitan Area: University City, Health Sciences, Mederos, Agricultural Sciences, and Cadereyta. The other two are located in the municipalities of Sabinas Hidalgo and Linares. Most of the UANL campuses are situated in areas with arid or semi-arid climates, with an average annual rainfall of 650 mm and an average temperature of 25 °C, reaching highs above 40 °C and even lows below 0 °C.
In response to this climate and environmental reality, the UANL has adopted an institutional policy on sustainable infrastructure, focused on the design, construction, and operation of university spaces according to criteria of environmental, social, and economic sustainability. This strategy seeks to reduce environmental impact, optimize the use of natural resources, and foster healthy environments for the university community.
38,124,120 m2 total area occupied by the seven campuses that make up the UANL
36,928,153 m2 total water absorption area
1,195,967 m2 built area
20,679,766 m2 area occupied by planted vegetation
16,248,387 m2 area occupied by forest vegetation
552,569 m2 total area on first floor
96.8% proportion of open space
159 m2 open space area per capita
The sustainable buildings promoted by UANL meet high energy efficiency standards, significantly reducing energy and water consumption while offering optimal conditions for user well-being. With this vision, the University is moving toward a sustainable infrastructure model, prepared to face current and future challenges. This commitment reinforces the institution's leadership in sustainability and promotes a sustainable educational environment for future generations.
Among the actions implemented to improve energy efficiency in their facilities, the following stand out:
- Reducing energy and water consumption through good practices for the efficient use of these important resources.
- Permanent maintenance programs for electrical transmission and water conveyance systems.
- Promotion of self-generation of energy through renewable sources.
- Installation of high energy efficiency lighting systems.
- Replacement of conventional air conditioning equipment with high-efficiency versions.
- Installation of motion detectors in living rooms and offices. Improvements to building thermal insulation. Utilization of natural light and ventilation to reduce dependence on artificial systems.
- Installation of energy-efficient LED screens. Incorporation of water-saving equipment in all university facilities.
- Development of green roofs.
- Implementation of waste management and recycling systems. Increase in rainwater harvesting area.
- Use of solar thermal plants to heat water.
- Use of water produced by condensation from air conditioning systems to irrigate green areas.
- Preparation of inventories and sustainable management plans for the forest capital available on university campuses.
Currently, 100% of UANL buildings are equipped with high-efficiency air conditioning and lighting, water-saving devices, and appropriate waste management systems. This has resulted in significant energy and cost savings, as well as contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by daily academic activities. With these and other additional actions, UANL not only meets its operational needs but also consolidates its leadership in promoting sustainability in university environments, maintaining its position as a national benchmark in sustainable infrastructure.
English 
Spanish