Greening Campuses for a Sustainable Future: Enhancing Awareness through Living Labs

Background and Aim. Developing green campuses anticipates to contemporary environmental and
health challenges by enhancing biodiversity with green spaces and promoting well-being through outdoor education and active pathways. Inspired by The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this paper highlights living lab examples from two Dutch university campuses (A and B) in order to explore effects of campus greening and related awareness change for students, enhancing future campus management practices.
Methods. In a living lab students conduct action research and experiment in the campus environment with micro interventions in an iterative process. This involves participatory planning sessions, where students from different studies engage in outdoor activities and study the effects of changes in green space on campus. In living labs, campus management, greening experts, and campus users (e.g., students, employees, entrepreneurs, and visitors) are involved.
Results. Students experience the health and well-being benefits of green outdoor spaces and foster greater social cohesion. Students learn about climate action through the impact of greenery on biodiversity and climate adaptation. This increases awareness on sustainable development.
Originality. Through co-creation in living labs with experts, stakeholders and student participation, we develop the sustainable campus of the future that anticipate real-life challenges.
Practical Implications. This explorative research offers practical strategies for greening campuses, enhancing well-being, fostering community, create awareness on climate action and advancing awareness among students and campus management about sustainability.