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The SERES Â鶹ÊÓƵ Program was created in response to the growing socio ecological challenges faced by peri-urban communities in La Estrella, Antioquia, particularly related to climate change. food security, and environmental degradation driven by urban expansion. Building on prior collaborative work between the municipality, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, and ICLEI Colombia (including the project “Building Resilience with People and Nature”) SERES integrates academic research, teaching, and community engagement through a transdisciplinary approach. The program is developed by the Faculty of Architecture supported by the CIDI Research Center at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, with active participation from faculty in the School of Architecture, and is managed collaboratively by university researchers, local government representatives, and NGO partners. Its current focus is on nature-based solutions, ecological restoration, sustainable agriculture, and environmental education implemented through schools as platforms for social ecosystem restoration. The long-term vision of the program is to strengthen resilient, inclusive and sustainable social ecosystems that balance human activities with ecological systems and can be replicated and scaled to other urban and peri-urban contexts.

The SERES Â鶹ÊÓƵ Program is built upon strong collaborative partnerships between academia, local government, international networks, and civil society organizations. The program emerged from and builds upon collaborative work developed in partnership with ARA, contributing to ecosystem-based adaptation frameworks and resilience-building processes that integrate social, environmental, and governance dimensions. SERES has been further strengthened through close collaboration with the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, the Municipality of La Estrella, and ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, combining academic research, public policy, and on-the-ground implementation. Educational institutions, including primary and secondary schools, play a central role as community anchors and spaces for co-creation, knowledge exchange, and the replication of nature-based solutions.

The mission of the SERES Â鶹ÊÓƵ Program is to promote the restoration of social ecosystems by integrating sustainability, ecology, and community engagement through nature-based solutions. The program works in peri-urban and urban contexts to strengthen food security, climate change adaptation, ecological restoration, and environmental education, while empowering local communities through participatory, transdisciplinary collaboration among academia, local governments, NGOs, and educational institutions.

Additionally, the integration of the classroom as a space for co-creation guides a significant portion of the program’s activities and shapes the content and pedagogical approaches of courses associated with the research project, aligning academic work with expected outcomes across different stages of implementation.

Fun Facts about Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana

Year Program Established | 2025
Country | Colombia
Public or Private Institution | Private
Number of students at institution | 42,330

Highlight Articles/Videos

(Official social media page where ongoing program updates and community engagement are shared)

(Institutional project description from UPB research portal)

City Partners

2024-2025 | La Estrella • Population: 78,143

Contact Info

SERES Â鶹ÊÓƵ Program
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana
Phone: (7) 679 6220
Website: https://portal.upb.edu.co/

Catalina Montoya Arenas
Phone: +57 604 354 4513
Email: catalina.montoyaarenas@upb.edu.co
Research Coordinator, School of Architecture and Design
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana
Medellín, Colombia

Instagram: @seres.proyecto

Chatuchak District in Bangkok, Thailand, home to Kasetsart University (KU), faces serious environmental challenges. Every day, the district processes over hundreds of tons of waste, nearly 18 percent of which is food waste. A significant portion of this organic waste is generated by the weekly Wednesday and Friday markets, each producing over 200 kilograms of waste per day. However, most vendors are unaware of or do not use proper waste management practices. As a result, much of this waste ends up in landfills, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and inefficient use of organic resources.

Meanwhile, the green spaces that once helped mitigate Bangkok’s heat and pollution are steadily declining. Kasetsart University, once known for its lush campus, has seen green coverage drop from 45 percent to 35 percent due to urban development. This reduction in greenery not only affects campus aesthetics but also contributes to biodiversity loss and intensifies the urban heat island effect. For residents, students, and visitors, this means hotter temperatures, poorer air quality, and fewer shaded areas for relief.

The Opportunity

Rather than treating waste and urbanization as unsolvable problems, Kasetsart University and the Chatuchak District Office chose to see them as opportunities for meaningful environmental action. Their shared vision: turn organic waste into compost and use it to restore green spaces.

The plan was straightforward but powerful. Organic waste from local markets would be collected, converted into compost, and used as fertilizer for planting trees on campus and in surrounding areas. This approach addressed two challenges, namely waste management and urban greening, at the same time. If successful, the project could reduce landfill waste, enhance public green space, and inspire other districts to follow suit.

The Partnership

This initiative was made possible through the collaboration of key local institutions: Kasetsart University, the Chatuchak District Office, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Each partner brought unique knowledge and resources to the table.

Kasetsart University provided academic expertise and applied the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Model. As a member of Â鶹ÊÓƵ Asia, a regional network of Â鶹ÊÓƵ, KU enabled students to engage in experiential learning through real community problems. Second-year architecture students teamed up with environmental engineering students and volunteers to co-create practical solutions for the district’s waste issues.

The Chatuchak District Office and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration contributed their knowledge of waste systems, helped identify target locations for intervention, and supported implementation. Market vendors were also essential collaborators. By participating in a waste-sorting pilot program, they provided valuable feedback that shaped the project’s design.

A key innovation of the project was its human-centered design approach. Students worked directly with market vendors to co-develop waste-sorting tools that were simple, cost-effective, and easily integrated into daily routines. These included lightweight compost bins and clip-on collection bags that could be attached to vendor stalls and tents.

The Result

The project has already produced promising outcomes. Waste separation practices at the weekly markets have significantly improved. Instead of ending up in landfills, organic waste is now composted and used to fertilize trees. Compost produced from the markets is enough to support up to 100 trees on campus, helping restore lost greenery.

The benefits extend beyond the university. With better waste handling and more trees, the community stands to gain from lower greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality, and cooler microclimates. Market vendors report that the sorting tools are user-friendly and easy to incorporate into their routines. Students, in turn, have gained valuable hands-on experience in environmental design, systems thinking, and civic engagement.

Looking Ahead

Sustaining and scaling this initiative is the next step. Kasetsart University and the Chatuchak District Office are committed to deepening their partnership by offering ongoing training sessions, organizing public workshops, and engaging broader community groups. Regular project evaluations will help refine activities and identify new opportunities—such as expanding composting programs and planting more trees throughout the district.

This continued collaboration will strengthen Kasetsart University’s role as a hub for innovation in urban sustainability and support Chatuchak District’s broader vision for climate resilience and livable cities. Most importantly, it demonstrates how local governments and academic institutions, through frameworks like Â鶹ÊÓƵ, can create real and lasting change by working together.

Partnership Contact Information

Department of Building Innovation
Faculty of Architecture, Kasetsart University
Associate Professor Dr. Pattaranan Takkanon

pattaranan.t@ku.th

Written by: Kay Phanthuwongpakdee, Jonathan Kroeze and Jenn Sauer

Throughout the years, different academic departments and courses at the Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM) have engaged in efforts to rescue the Lagoon. Notable course projects include UAM’s sociology department’s Qualitative Data Collection course, where students interviewed community members on how the lagoon’s contamination and decrease in water quality has affected their well-being, livelihood, cultural traditions, and aliment. Additionally, Chemical Analysis courses spend time on field reports that monitor the lagoon’s water quality and affluents and assess the distinct contaminants present in the water. The findings of both of these courses were captured in a documentary made by students in the Graphic Design Communications course, who also created infographics and other forms of digital media to spread awareness about the lagoon’s current state. Lastly, architectural students at UAM have dedicated a significant amount of time on the creation of architectural proposals focusing on adequate landscaping for the wetlands of the region. Over the next few years, student involvement in the Lagoon’s rescue is expected to increase with about 180 students per trimester from UAM, along with additional participation from other universities across the country.

Completed course projects have received nothing but positive feedback from community members and councils. Every year, UAM makes an effort to report accomplishments to the public by hosting student presentations where local governments, conservation groups, and community members can learn about their work. Their last presentation session took place on February 19th, 2024, when the audience filled an auditorium of over 150 people (more information can be found at: ). The purpose of these presentations is to update authorities on the progress of student work so that local governments that have frequent shifts in councils can continue to support students and their efforts by promoting environmental policies. Although previous student projects have been successful in making progress towards environmental, economic, and social development, Dr. Sosa hopes that students will soon be able to work on governmental action projects, with the recently established Basin Committee focusing on making the restoration of La Piedad a political priority. Before students can get involved in governmental work that will establish wetland systems to manage cleanliness, however, hydraulic engineers must determine the technical feasibility of a system’s capacity to withstand the amount of water that enters the Lagoon to ensure long-term durability and efficiency. These assessments are expected to begin as soon as July of this year. After these characteristics are ensured, Dr. Sosa expects to begin the process of establishing legal institutions that will create a protection status for the Lagoon, avoiding its urbanization and creating a protected natural area on a federal level so that any threat to its conservation can lead to legal action. The start of a legal project will be a more prolonged process than what students are accustomed to. Still, Dr. Sosa is optimistic that this will teach students about the importance of continuous activism.

Dr. Fabiola Sosa is tremendously proud of the incredible work accomplished by the UAM students. Many of their endeavors have received recognition in local and national newspapers, radio stations, and television channels. Students have had the opportunity to share their experiences and how their work has influenced them, and many of them have expressed interest in pursuing careers in environmental conservation. As part of the recognition for these efforts, Dr. Sosa was also awarded the Woman Defender of Water Award in 2023, and an award from the Judiciary of the Federation on the 2024 International Women’s Day for her dedication to equality and search for safe spaces for women. Dr. Sosa reflects on what these awards mean to her and how they represent the role of responsibility placed on women to ensure the accessibility of clean water in their households for their families. She states that she is excited for more students to get involved in the salvation of La Piedad so that they can work towards finding solutions for the societal injustices that come with environmental pollution. Dr. Sosa is grateful for the passion and dedication to the issue that students have conveyed through their hard work and is looking forward to seeing them become our future agents of change.

Rescatando La Piedad (SPA)

Desde 20203, Â鶹ÊÓƵ ha ayudado a la Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Azcapotzalco, a incrementar sus esfuerzos para salvar la laguna La Piedad en la ciudad de Cuautitlán Izcalli, México, a través de una serie de proyectos estudiantiles que involucran a más de 300 alumnos de licenciatura. Salvar a La Piedad de los contaminantes es esencial para la ciudad, ya que es un cuerpo de agua esencial que podría proporciona un metro cúbico de agua por segundo a los municipios que luchan por satisfacer sus demandas diarias del vital recurso. Los proyectos no sólo ayudan a cumplir los objetivos ambientales de facilitar el acceso a áreas naturales no contaminadas, sino que también aumentan las actividades que conducirán al desarrollo económico y la conciencia ambiental. La Dra. Fabiola Sosa, coordinadora del proyecto y asesora de los proyectos estudiantiles de la universidad, espera que el acceso a agua limpia revitalice las comunidades, al fomentar la agricultura orgánica y otras actividades recreativas como la observación de aves y la pesca.

A lo largo de los años, diferentes departamentos académicos y carreras de la Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM) se han involucrado en las labores de rescate de la Laguna. Los proyectos emprendidos por los alumnos de diferentes cursos incluyen: Recolección de Datos Cualitativos del Departamento de Sociología de la UAM, donde los estudiantes entrevistaron a miembros de la comunidad sobre cómo la contaminación de la laguna y la disminución de la calidad del agua han afectado su bienestar, sustento, tradiciones culturales y alimentación. Además, los cursos de Análisis Químico dedican tiempo a realizar informes de campo en donde se monitorea la calidad del agua y de los afluentes de la Laguna, demas de evalúar los diferentes contaminantes presentes en el agua. Los hallazgos de ambos cursos fueron plasmados en un documental realizado por estudiantes de la carrera de Diseño de la Comunicación Gráfica, quienes también crearon infografías y otros medios digitales para generar conciencia sobre el estado actual de la Laguna. Finalmente, los estudiantes de arquitectura de la UAM han dedicado una cantidad de tiempo significante a crear propuestas arquitectónicas enfocadas al paisajismo adecuado de los humedales de la región. En los próximos años, se espera que la participación estudiantil en el rescate de la Laguna aumente con alrededor de 180 estudiantes por trimestre de la UAM, junto con una participación adicional de otras universidades de todo el país.

Los proyectos de cursos completados no han recibido más que comentarios positivos de los miembros y ayuntamientos de la comunidad. Cada año, la UAM se esfuerza por informar al público sobre sus logros organizando presentaciones de estudiantes donde los gobiernos locales, los grupos conservacionistas y los miembros de la comunidad pueden aprender sobre sus trabajos. Su última sesión de presentación tuvo lugar el 19 de febrero de 2024, cuando el público llenó un auditorio de más de 150 personas (más información puede ser consultada en la siguiente página: ). El propósito de estas presentaciones es actualizar a las autoridades sobre el avance del trabajo estudiantil para que los gobiernos locales que tienen cambios frecuentes de personal puedan continuar apoyando a los estudiantes y sus esfuerzos impulsando políticas ambientales. Aunque proyectos estudiantiles anteriores han logrado avances hacia el desarrollo ambiental, económico y social, la Dra. Sosa espera que los estudiantes pronto puedan trabajar en proyectos de acción gubernamental, con el Comité de Cuenca recientemente establecido enfocándose en restaurar La Piedad como una prioridad política. Sin embargo, antes de que los estudiantes puedan participar en trabajos gubernamentales que establecerán sistemas de humedales para descontaminar la Laguna, los ingenieros hidráulicos deben determinar la viabilidad técnica de la capacidad de un sistema para soportar la cantidad de agua que ingresa a la Laguna para garantizar la durabilidad y eficiencia a largo plazo. Se espera que estas evaluaciones comiencen en julio de este año. Una vez aseguradas estas características, la Dra. Sosa espera iniciar el proceso de establecimiento de instituciones legales que creará un estatus de protección para la Laguna, impidiendo su urbanización y creando un área natural protegida a nivel federal para que cualquier amenaza a su conservación pueda dar lugar a acciones legales. Iniciar un proyecto legal será un proceso más largo de lo que los estudiantes están acostumbrados. Aún así, la Dra. Sosa es optimista de que esto enseñará a los estudiantes sobre la importancia del activismo continuo.

La Dra. Fabiola Sosa está tremendamente orgullosa del increíble trabajo realizado por los estudiantes de la UAM. Muchos de sus esfuerzos han recibido reconocimiento en periódicos, estaciones de radio y canales de televisión locales y nacionales. Los estudiantes han tenido la oportunidad de compartir sus experiencias y cómo su trabajo los ha influenciado, y muchos de ellos han expresado interés en seguir carreras en conservación ambiental. Como parte del reconocimiento a estos esfuerzos, la Dra. Sosa también recibió el Premio Mujer Defensora del Agua en 2023, y un premio del Poder Judicial de la Federación en el Día Internacional de la Mujer 2024 por su dedicación a la igualdad y búsqueda de espacios seguros para las mujeres. La Dra. Sosa reflexiona sobre lo que significan para ella estos premios y cómo representan el rol de responsabilidad que recae en las mujeres para garantizar el acceso al agua potable en sus hogares para sus familias. Ella dice que está emocionada de que más estudiantes se involucren en salvar La Piedad para que puedan trabajar para encontrar soluciones a las injusticias sociales que conlleva la contaminación ambiental. La Dra. Sosa agradece la pasión y dedicación al tema que los estudiantes han transmitido a través de su arduo trabajo y espera verlos convertirse en nuestros futuros agentes de cambio.