Suan Dusit University has established a clear environmental policy that emphasizes the development and preservation of green spaces. The policy, officially documented and communicated through formal university channels, outlines the commitment to promoting and enhancing resource efficiency, as well as improving infrastructure and landscaping based on ecological garden design principles and green space conservation. This framework serves as a key guideline for the systematic management of green areas within the university, and it was first publicly announced in 2017. https://green.dusit.ac.th/policies/ Further improvements were made in 2022 through the Suan Dusit University Policy on Environmental, Energy, and Resource Quality Management, which strengthened the university’s commitment to sustainable environmental and energy practices. https://sdg.dusit.ac.th/2023/3190/ It is now incorporated into the Suan Dusit University Declaration of Intent on Driving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under Dimension 3: Environmental and Natural Resource Sustainability (Planet). https://planning.dusit.ac.th/main/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/sdg-move-1.pdf It was officially announced on September 24, 2024.
The Traditional Arts and Culture of Suan Dusit University and the Design of Green Spaces for Extended Learning
Suan Dusit University is a higher education institution grounded in Thai arts, culture, and home economics, with origins dating back to 1934. Its main campus is located within the area of Suan Sunandha Palace, a royal heritage site from the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) that serves as a center of Thai landscape, culture, and education.
The university has therefore developed its green and open spaces to serve as learning areas, public spaces, and aesthetic environments, connecting traditional values with modern environmental concepts. This approach supports SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, emphasizing the creation of livable, safe, and sustainable cities that preserve both natural and cultural heritage.
Suan Dusit University applies the principle “Everywhere is Learning Space – Every area is a learning space”, extending beyond museums and historical buildings to include “green spaces for learning and recreation.” Within the Bangkok campus, the landscape has been designed to reflect the identity of Suan Sunandha Palace, featuring flower gardens, historic ponds, and shaded tree-lined paths, particularly around the Yaowapa Building and Wapi Busabakorn Building, creating both aesthetic and environmental value.
These areas are open daily to the public, parents, and students of La-or Uthit Demonstration School as spaces for relaxation, recreation, and learning about local plant species in everyday life. The university has also developed the “Green Roof – Multipurpose Green Terrace” project, serving as an urban farming area, recreational zone, and ecological classroom for children, youth, and the general public.
Continuous Development of Green Spaces
Throughout 2024, Suan Dusit University systematically improved, maintained, and expanded its green spaces both within the urban campus and at its regional centers. Notable examples include:
The SDU Big Cleaning Day activity, a collaboration between the Division of Buildings and Grounds and the Dusit District Office, aims to create a clean, safe environment while enhancing green landscapes within the university’s urban open spaces. https://www.dusit.ac.th/home/2024/1309685.html
The green space development at Nakhon Nayok Education Center includes green areas around student dormitories and safe agricultural learning zones. At the Prachinburi site, the university developed the “Suan Kaset Pun Suk” (Sharing Agriculture Garden) and “Kaset Maha Sanuk” (Joyful Agriculture) projects as learning spaces for homegrown vegetable cultivation, composting, and sustainable soil care. These areas are open for students, local communities, and children from nearby schools to learn and engage together.
At Suphunburi Campus, green space development included activities such as Valentine’s Week Party: Love the Trees, where students and staff planted trees and vegetable gardens together to increase green areas. In addition, the campus organized Healthy and Happy SDU SP Walk & Run 2024, which was open to the public, along with a tree‐planting activity to honor the royal celebration, planting 550 trees around Homkajan Farm Lake to create sustainable green spaces that support learning and community well-being.
The development of vertical and rooftop green spaces has also been implemented. The Building Services Office of the Science Center carried out the installation of translucent roofing and rooftop garden projects on the dormitory building to increase vertical green areas in the urban campus. These spaces function both as plant care areas and resting spaces for students and staff, representing the sustainable and efficient use of limited urban space.
Providing Open Spaces for Learning and Study Visits by External Participants
“Homkajan Farm” – a model smart farm for the community located at the Suphunburi Campus and operated by the Research and Development Institute. It serves as a learning center for Smart Agriculture and safe farming, and welcomes study visit groups throughout the year, such as delegations from Nong Chabok Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, and Bang Pla Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Samut Prakan Province, who come to learn about smart farming technologies, intelligent greenhouse vegetable cultivation, and the Plant Genetic Conservation Project. These activities demonstrate the use of green spaces as platforms for knowledge exchange, livelihood development, and broader social benefit.
The “School Botanical Garden Project (PGC)” at La-or Uthit Demonstration School continuously promotes the conservation of local plant species throughout the campus. The project includes training programs and exhibitions to share knowledge on plant genetic conservation, and partner schools also participate in learning activities. The university encourages each center to develop “green learning spaces” alongside educational activities to support child development. Thus, the green spaces are not only playgrounds, but also “natural classrooms” where children and parents can learn and engage in activities together.
Through continuous implementation throughout 2024, Suan Dusit University has been able to increase the proportion of green spaces across all campuses and learning centers, while also opening these areas for external organizations, students, and the general public to access and learn from more than ever before. This has transformed Suan Dusit University into a “Green Learning Community” — a living environment that connects people of all groups with nature and culture in a sustainable way. At the policy level, the university has demonstrated that “green spaces are not merely landscapes, but tools for learning and social well-being.” Through this approach, Suan Dusit University stands as one of the universities in Thailand that effectively integrates green spaces to connect people, communities, and the environment, moving together toward genuine sustainability.
