Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) actively incorporates local biodiversity considerations into its planning and development processes, particularly in the construction of new and green buildings. This commitment is evident through several initiatives and policies:
- Green Building Certifications: UGM has achieved Green Building certifications for multiple new structures, such as the Integrated Forest Farming Learning Center (IFFLC), the Animal Science Learning Center (ASLC), and the Agrotropica Learning Center (AGLC). These certifications, awarded by the EDGE IFC World Bank, recognize the university’s dedication to sustainable building practices that prioritize environmental conservation and biodiversity.
Universitas Gadjah Mada
- Sustainable Campus Development: The university’s Project Implementation Unit (PIU) collaborates with the Integrated Smart and Green Building (INSGREEB) team to develop policy documents, action plans, and implementation strategies aimed at creating a sustainable campus environment. This collaboration includes certifying new buildings for Green Building standards ensuring that biodiversity considerations are integral to campus development.
Insgreeb
- Environmental Impact Assessments: Before initiating new construction projects, UGM conducts thorough environmental impact assessments to evaluate potential effects on local ecosystems and biodiversity. These assessments inform the planning process, leading to the implementation of mitigation strategies that protect and preserve local flora and fauna.
- Integration of Green Spaces: UGM’s campus planning emphasises the inclusion of green spaces and the preservation of existing natural habitats. This approach enhances the campus’s aesthetic appeal and supports local biodiversity by providing habitats for various plant and animal species. One of the green open spaces on UGM’s main campus is the Arboretum of the Faculty of Biology. The Arboretum of Biology houses a diverse collection of rare plants from across Indonesia, including 91 species of trees such as meranti (Shorea zeylanica, S. japonica), nagasari (Mesua ferrea), sterkulia (Sterculia foetida), and the yellow-flowering kapok pad (Salamalia malabarica), alongside various palm species. The forest has also become a living environment for species of animals as well, such as snakes, dogs, cats, and mice. These rare plants and local flora and fauna are considered when planning and building new campus buildings, thus the conservation and preservation of these ecosystems are integrated into the planning process of new buildings.
Through these concerted efforts, UGM demonstrates a strong commitment to integrating local biodiversity considerations into its planning and development processes, particularly in the construction of new and green buildings.
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