Last updated: June 2024
In 2008, Mahidol University in Thailand announced its revised five-year Green Campus master plan titled 'A Promised Place to Live and Learn with Nature' for its main Salaya Campus. The scheme aimed to promote a green conscience and lifestyle for its students and faculty through sustainable campus developments that consider social and environmental aspects. The university's objectives were to achieve energy conservation, environmental sustainability, and social cohesion and well-being. The main features of the master plan included the creation and maintenance of green open spaces covering at least 70% of the campus premises, optimization of land use, transformation of infrastructure to encourage cycling, creation of outdoor learning, recreational and research areas, and enhancement of local biodiversity. The master plan also covered guidelines and targets for energy consumption, waste, and water management in the campus buildings. The Siri Ruckhachati Nature Park, the university's arboretum, was also redesigned with green and blue areas playing a role in flood management. Following the 'Green Campus' master plan, Mahidol University developed its existing mission further and became an 'Eco University' in 2012 and a 'Sustainable University' in 2021. These two missions focus primarily on reducing energy consumption and waste management. (Ref.1,2,3,12)
Mahidol Green Campus - green bicycle path and walkway
Source: Ref. 2
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Lakes/ponds
- In-land wetlands, peatlands, swamps, and moors
- Community gardens and allotments
- Community gardens
- Horticulture
- Green areas for water management
- Swales and filter strips
- Grey infrastructure featuring greens
- Alley or street trees and other street vegetation
- Riverbank/Lakeside greens
- Institutional green space
- Nature on buildings (external)
- Green roofs
- Green walls or facades
- Parks and urban forests
- Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces
- Botanical gardens
- Green corridors and green belts
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change mitigation
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Green space creation and/or management
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Regulation of built environment
- Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Flood protection
- Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
- Improvements to water quality
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Enabling opportunities for physical activity
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Social interaction
- Environmental education
- Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
- Economic development: agriculture
- Employment/job creation
- Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
- Sustainable production
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Creation of semi-natural blue areas, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Strategy, plan or policy development
Project objectives
The university's ‘Green Campus’ master plan covers 5 main areas for development.
Main goals related to nature-based solutions:
1. Land use development
- Establishment of land-use principles for the whole campus to limit and direct future development which aiming to keep 70% of the campus as green area.
- Create space for bonding and connect people within the university together.
- Create connection with surrounding communities and offering them opportunities for farming and securing livelihood.
2. Landscape system development
- Redesign and transformation of landscape for the overall campus site.
- Create and design environment that encourage the learning and interactions between human and nature. At the same time, promote environmental-friendly lifestyle and sustainability.
- Enhance ecological biodiversity to support university’s green campus image.
- Introduce stormwater mangement and flood protection solutions.
3. Traffic system development
- Introduce new transportation system and promote sustainable transport options.
Main goals not directly related to nature-based solutions:
4. Infrastructure service system development
- Improve infrastructures for the management of waste, water, energy and green areas.
5. Buildings and construction controls
These directions are embedded within the design approach for the master plan.
(Ref. 1,3,4,6,7)
Implementation activities
Activities and Actions to Achieve a Green Campus:
1. Land Use Development:
The university has implemented a land use zoning system with nine main zones to support a green campus. These include the education zone, management and central services zone, research and academic zone, residential zone, recreation and sports zone, utility zone, other government agencies zones, commercial zone, and environmental conservation zone. The university has also increased the number of outdoor multifunctional recreation areas and established a local farming area in collaboration with the district agriculture office and local communities. Farmers from nearby communities are allowed to grow vegetables for their own consumption and for distribution within the university at a fair price. In addition, some buildings have their own vegetable gardens, which are taken care of by staff. This supports the green building concept and also enhances the connection between people within the university.
2. Landscape system development:
The university has re-designed and re-planned the whole campus to maximize useful and beautiful green space. Vacant or deteriorating areas scattered around the campus have been redeveloped into educational and green areas that support a lively learning atmosphere for the students. Grass areas are kept clean, and seats are provided to allow students to picnic, relax, or read books in these areas.
The Siri Ruckhachati Botanical Garden, the university's arboretum covering over 224000 sq.m, has been re-designed to conserve and restore the existing wetland, which is home to local birds and several local plant species. All existing herbs have been classified and relocated according to their original ecosystem, emphasizing the "universal design" principle to allow any person, regardless of their age or disability, to access every space in the garden freely. No chemicals are used in this area, allowing visitors to touch, smell, and taste any herbs safely. Relaxation pavilions have been installed around the wetland.
Primarily supported by the re-design of the Siri Ruckhachati Botanical Garden, the university has created a green corridor resulting in a 70% increase in the green area of the campus.
The university has also established the MU Garden plant nursery, which is a facility for growing seedlings of ornamental plants for internal usage and for sale to the public.
The main campus axis has been indicated and redesigned to connect different parts of the university and build a "sense of place" for the people. The main entrance has been changed to the one that passes along the Siri Ruckhachati Botanical Garden to enhance the sense of arrival for visitors and let them experience the nature that the garden can offer.
The university has also improved existing lotus ponds scattered around the campus and the green areas around them. All ponds and canals have vegetated embankments and act as retention areas for rainwater and homes for birds and other urban wildlife. Additionally, vegetated earth ramps and canals surround the campus, defining the boundary of the university while allowing connection with the outside and preventing floods.
Implementation activities not closely related to nature-based solutions:
3. Traffic system development
The university has implemented a plan to reduce car use and promote more sustainable transportation options. The road size has been reduced from four lanes to two lanes. The university has also introduced a campus-wide bicycle network, increased footpaths, and added planting areas along the road and pathways to create a green street.
4. Infrastructure Services System:
The university has introduced a "zero waste" campaign and established a waste management bank and recycling facility to support the campaign. The university has also constructed a waste water treatment system to enhance the ability to reuse and recycle water resources. All wastewater from the campus is collected, treated, and reused within the campus. The university also makes organic fertilizer from tree trunks and leaves collected from around the campus, which is used to nourish the plants on campus. Excess fertilizer is sold to the public at a fair price. Energy saving strategies such as changing to energy-efficient light bulbs and installing solar cells have also been implemented.
5. Buildings and construction controls
The university has set a limit on the height of buildings and encourages the application of green building concepts. In addition to low energy consumption, some buildings have roof gardens or trees growing along the building corridor. Finally, all new buildings are required to have their own waste water system, which helps treat water before transferring it to the main collection area of the university.
(Ref. 1,2,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,13,14,15)
Climate-focused activities
Climate change mitigation:
- Implement solutions to help reducing energy consumption or support the use of sustainable energy resources
- Invest in public transport/bicycle infrastructure as a means to prevent car use
- Raise public awareness of behaviours, lifestyle and cultural changes with mitigation potential
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
- Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
- Protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect native species
- Means for conservation governance
- Manage biological resources for conservation and sustainable use
- Raise public awareness
- Create and use scientific knowledge for conservation
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore native species
Main beneficiaries
- Researchers/University
- Citizens or community groups
- Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners)
Governance
Management set-up
- Led by non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Researchers/university
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
- Dissemination of information and education
- Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The land owner and project initiator is Mahidol University.
The masterplan was developed by Arsomsilp Community and Environment Architect Firm along the university's guidelines.
The development and implementation of the policies were carried out as a collaboration of the various faculties and experts of the university.
During the design period, participatory process was used to include the wider community of the university including faculty members and students. This process included surveys, interviews and workshops with staffs, students and other relevant stakeholders. The process helped to create mutual understanding regarding the direction of the planning that should reflect user’s need and benefit all stakeholders.
(Ref. 1,3,12)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
No
... a national policy or strategy?
No
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- Research organisation / University
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Reduced emissions
- Environmental quality
- Improved waste management
- Improved soil quality
- Water management and blue areas
- Improved water quality
- Increased protection against flooding
- Improved stormwater management
- Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
- Green space and habitat
- Promotion of naturalistic styles of landscape design for urban development
- Increased green space area
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Increased conversion of degraded land or soil
- Restoration of derelict areas
Economic impacts
- Increase in agricultural production (for profit or not)
- Generation of income from NBS
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved liveability
- Improved access to urban green space
- Increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples
- Increased opportunities for social interaction
- Increased access to healthy/affordable food
- Increased sustainability of agriculture practices
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Improvement in people’s connection to nature
- Protection of natural heritage
- Increased appreciation for natural spaces
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. Arsomsilp (2018), โครงการปรับปรุงผังแม่บท มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล ศาลายาและอาคารศูนย์การเรียนรู้มหิดล, Available at Source link (Accessed 21-02-2023)
2. Arsomsilp (no date), MASTER PLAN REDEVELOPMENT OF MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY, Available at Source link (Accessed 21-02-2023)
3. Miss U Salaya (2021), เปิดผังแม่บทมหิดลศาลายา, Available at Source link (Accessed 22-02-2023)
4. MU Link (2015), มหิดล Eco University, Available at Source link (Accessed 22-02-2023)
5. Mahidol University (2013), Sustainable Environment at MU, Available at Source link (Accessed 26-02-2023)
6. Mahidol University (no date), The Green Master Plan, Available at Source link (Accessed 26-02-2023)
7. Mahidol University (2018), มหาวิทยาลัยเชิงนิเวศน์ Eco University, Available at Source link (Accessed 26-02-2023)
8. RYT9 (2010), “มหิดล” ประกาศนโยบายสีเขียว Green Campus รับวันสิ่งแวดล้อมโลก ตั้งเป้าสู่มหาวิทยาลัยต้นแบบด้านการอนุรักษ์ฯ อย่างยั่งยืน, Available at Source link (Accessed 26-02-2023)
9. Mahidol University (2013), Mahidol Sustainable University, Available at Source link (Accessed 26-02-2023)
10. Sireeruckhachati Nature Learning Park (no date), Available at Source link (Accessed 26-02-2023)
11. Dailynews (2013), ต้นแบบมหาวิทยาลัยสีเขียว, Available at https://d.Source link (Accessed 26-02-2023)
12. Miss U Salaya(2021), ตอนเสน่หา ศาลายาวันวาน ช่วง"ผู้พลิกประวัติศาสตร์ด้านกายภาพของวิทยาเขตศาลายา, Avaialble at Source link (Accessed 07-04-2023)
13. Ussawarujikulchai, A., Hansuk, P., Peerakiatkhajohn, P. (2015), แนวทางการจัดการขยะให้เหลือศูนย์ภายในมหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล ศาลายา, Journal of Environmental Management, (Online) Volume 7. Available at Source link (Accessed 07-04-2023)
14. Charmondusit, K., Pungpermtrakul, S., and Mahisavariya, B. (2021), A Best Practice of Water Management at Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Thailand. Journal of Sustainability Perspectives, (Online) Volume 1. Available at Source link (Accessed 07-04-2023)
15. Bangkok Post (2019), Mahidol pioneers green campus model for univeristies, Available at Source link (Accessed 08-04-2023)
2. Arsomsilp (no date), MASTER PLAN REDEVELOPMENT OF MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY, Available at Source link (Accessed 21-02-2023)
3. Miss U Salaya (2021), เปิดผังแม่บทมหิดลศาลายา, Available at Source link (Accessed 22-02-2023)
4. MU Link (2015), มหิดล Eco University, Available at Source link (Accessed 22-02-2023)
5. Mahidol University (2013), Sustainable Environment at MU, Available at Source link (Accessed 26-02-2023)
6. Mahidol University (no date), The Green Master Plan, Available at Source link (Accessed 26-02-2023)
7. Mahidol University (2018), มหาวิทยาลัยเชิงนิเวศน์ Eco University, Available at Source link (Accessed 26-02-2023)
8. RYT9 (2010), “มหิดล” ประกาศนโยบายสีเขียว Green Campus รับวันสิ่งแวดล้อมโลก ตั้งเป้าสู่มหาวิทยาลัยต้นแบบด้านการอนุรักษ์ฯ อย่างยั่งยืน, Available at Source link (Accessed 26-02-2023)
9. Mahidol University (2013), Mahidol Sustainable University, Available at Source link (Accessed 26-02-2023)
10. Sireeruckhachati Nature Learning Park (no date), Available at Source link (Accessed 26-02-2023)
11. Dailynews (2013), ต้นแบบมหาวิทยาลัยสีเขียว, Available at https://d.Source link (Accessed 26-02-2023)
12. Miss U Salaya(2021), ตอนเสน่หา ศาลายาวันวาน ช่วง"ผู้พลิกประวัติศาสตร์ด้านกายภาพของวิทยาเขตศาลายา, Avaialble at Source link (Accessed 07-04-2023)
13. Ussawarujikulchai, A., Hansuk, P., Peerakiatkhajohn, P. (2015), แนวทางการจัดการขยะให้เหลือศูนย์ภายในมหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล ศาลายา, Journal of Environmental Management, (Online) Volume 7. Available at Source link (Accessed 07-04-2023)
14. Charmondusit, K., Pungpermtrakul, S., and Mahisavariya, B. (2021), A Best Practice of Water Management at Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Thailand. Journal of Sustainability Perspectives, (Online) Volume 1. Available at Source link (Accessed 07-04-2023)
15. Bangkok Post (2019), Mahidol pioneers green campus model for univeristies, Available at Source link (Accessed 08-04-2023)
Mahidol University Green Campus - Green area with pond
Source: Ref. 1
Mahidol University Green Campus - Sireeruckhachati Park
Source: Ref. 10
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the "NBS 2022" UNA Asian extension project funded by the Asia-Europe Foundation.