Landscape Architecture Expert from IPB University: A Beautiful Campus Environment Must Be Comfortable, Safe, and Sustainable
Landscape Architecture Expert from IPB University, Prof Hadi Susilo Arifin, emphasized that a beautiful campus environment is not merely about visual aesthetics, but also concerns physical and psychological comfort and safety for the entire academic community. He made this statement amid his busy schedule on Friday (6/13).
“A green environment must be balanced, aesthetically pleasing, yet also functionally beneficial,” Prof Hadi stated in his official statement. He stressed that a healthy campus environment significantly contributes to improving the quality of life and health, not only for students and faculty but also for educational staff and campus visitors.
According to Prof Hadi, a campus cannot stand alone as an “ivory tower” but must be connected to its surrounding environment. Accessibility, adequate student housing, and supporting infrastructure such as clean, healthy, and well-maintained student dormitories, apartments, or rental units are part of a sustainable campus ecosystem.
He also emphasized the importance of coordination in implementing environmental care programs at the university level, from planning, operations, to evaluation. Environmental awareness, he added, must become a deeply rooted culture.
As an example of applying sustainability principles, IPB University has revitalized existing ponds and created new ones as part of efforts to harvest rainwater. Prof Hadi also encourages the development of campus-scale rain gardens with a representative area size and the widespread use of solar panels, as done by Chulalongkorn University with its rain garden in Thailand and Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology with its solar panels in Japan.
Despite acknowledging the challenges, Prof Hadi sees significant opportunities for IPB University. “IPB University can engage alumni, the government, and the private sector to support environmental programs. However, all of this requires a clear and structured campus environmental management master plan,” he said.
Prof Hadi also emphasized that the principle of a green environment must be applied in daily activities. “Save land, save materials, and save energy. This is not just a slogan, but must become a real practice,” he said.
A sustainable campus environment, according to him, will directly impact the improvement of the quality of life for the academic community. “With a good campus transportation system, integrated parking areas, and comfortable pedestrian and cycling paths, we can reduce stress, carbon emissions, and costs,” he explained.
As a closing remark, Prof Hadi urged that the issue of a green environment be integrated into character education for students. “The admission of new students is a strategic opportunity to instill environmental values, both within the campus community and in society at large,” he concluded. (dh) (IAAS/PRO)
