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

The Bandung Institute of Technology (Institut Teknologi Bandung: ITB), a national research university in Bandung, Indonesia, has a long history of producing influential leaders in science, engineering, politics, business, academia, and culture.

As a member of the Educational Partnerships for Innovation in Communities Network (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) through the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, ITB is collaborating with the Local Planning and Development Agency (Bappeda), the Local Environmental Protection Agency (BPLHD) of Bandung City, and local community groups to address pressing urban challenges intensified by climate change.

Bandung City faces numerous environmental threats, including urban flooding and the urban heat island effect, issues exacerbated by rapid urbanization and deforestation. These challenges impact infrastructure, living conditions, economic stability, and cultural heritage. Through the Â鶹ÊÓƵ model, ITB works with local partners to implement community-centred, sustainable solutions that tackle these issues directly.

ITB plays a central role in fostering climate-resilient urban development through several key initiatives in this collaboration. First, by working closely with local authorities, ITB helps address and resolve conflicts among various economic sectors, adapting physical spaces and introducing technologies that balance development with environmental sustainability. This approach aligns with ITB’s mission to bridge innovation with practical application in real-world settings.

ITB also emphasizes community participation, actively involving residents in decision-making processes related to climate resilience. This engagement ensures that the voices of Bandung’s citizens are at the forefront of sustainable urban planning. Additionally, ITB facilitates the transfer of technological knowledge, empowering community members to actively participate in environmental stewardship and adapt to climate challenges autonomously.

The collaboration between ITB and Bandung City, guided by the principles of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ model, sets a new standard for sustainable urban development in Indonesia. This partnership emphasizes the importance of community engagement, technological innovation, and environmentally conscious decision-making, providing a replicable model for cities facing similar challenges. Through this initiative, ITB contributes to Bandung’s resilience and provides valuable hands-on learning opportunities for students, who play an active role in developing and implementing sustainable solutions. By engaging students in real-world projects, ITB reinforces its role as a leader in sustainable development, bridging the gap between academic research and practical, impactful solutions for society.

Fun Facts about Bandung Institute of Technology

Year Â鶹ÊÓƵ Program Established | 2023
Country | Indonesia
Public or Private Institution | Public

City Partners

2023 | Local Planning and Development Agency (Bappeda), Local Environmental Protection Agency (BPLHD) of Bandung City (West Java Province)

Contact Details

Dr. Nurrohman Wijaya
Assistant Professor
School of Architecture, Planning and Policy Development, Bandung Institute of Technology
nurrohman.wijaya@itb.ac.id

Lusaka already has a history of using the Â鶹ÊÓƵ model on a smaller scale as the city signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Zambia to institutionalize the Â鶹ÊÓƵ model in Lusaka. For the past four years, the model has been implemented on a small scale and has resulted in significant gains for the city. Currently, the City Council of Lusaka and the University of Zambia are looking to expand the Â鶹ÊÓƵ model to create city-wide positive change to locally relevant issues such as climate change adaptation, waste management, and urban planning. This project will look to begin in August of 2023 and end by August 2024. 

In taking steps to expand the model, the City hopes to build capacity among all Â鶹ÊÓƵ model actors in Lusaka through training, sensitization, and community engagement so that skills are created for upscaling deployment of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ model in Lusaka. The City would also like to collaborate with other entities to identify community development interventions that are in line with the principles of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ model and make investments to support urban climate adaptation, social and gender inclusion in city development plans, and support learning and innovation at a community level. Finally, the city would also like to undertake capacity development actions that look to build sustainability in all future Â鶹ÊÓƵ interventions in Lusaka through expanded partnerships for Â鶹ÊÓƵ innovations. 

In support of the goals, the project will look to sensitize at least 20 Departments at the University of Zambia to adopt the Â鶹ÊÓƵ model in teaching and research. To increase the application of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ model and principles in the community, the project will increase the capacity of all nine Departments at the Lusaka City Council. This research will work to accelerate the implementation and expansion of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ model by expanding the agreement to build sustainability. Over 500 students are planned to be involved in the Â鶹ÊÓƵ model beginning with graduate courses in Economics, Geography, Urban Planning, Development Studies, Environmental Management, Public Health, Geomatics, GIS, Environmental Education, Civil Engineering, and Education. 

There will be many actors involved throughout this project to meet as many goals as possible. The project will be implemented as a collaboration between the Lusaka City Council, the University of Zambia, and selected communities with each party holding a very specific role in the project. For instance, the Lusaka City Council will provide a specific policy framework for community interventions to take place. Communities will anchor and support all activities in the collaboration while the University of Zambia will provide the students and research capacity needed to expand the Epic model in the city. Members of the community will also take the lead in identifying key problems in the communities and in respective wards. Community members will be represented within each project by community leaders, Community-Based Organizations, Ward Development Committees, and residents. 

The University of Zambia will undertake capacity development activities to increase capacity on Â鶹ÊÓƵ model implementation and raise awareness among the MoU actors. This includes training for students, Course conveners, Deans of Schools, and Heads of Departments at the University of Zambia and the Lusaka City Council. In terms of providing knowledge, university students will provide time and a technical understanding of selected topics and community members will supply time and local knowledge. Students will also take time to engage with communities to define priority interventions through the Â鶹ÊÓƵ model. 

Through this research, the relationship between communities, the Lusaka City Council, and the University of Zambia will be strengthened. There will additionally, be  improved community service and a better understanding of development actions in communities particularly those focused on strengthening climate resilience in flood-prone areas, aligning with SDG 13. This Â鶹ÊÓƵ project will bring improved governance and civic awareness in communities where Â鶹ÊÓƵ projects will take place and see increased accountability from all parties involved in community development in Lusaka.  

This project is ongoing and will be finished in 2024.

Texas Target Communities Contact Info

University Faculty Contact
Bill Eisele
Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning

Local Government / Community Contact
Jacques Blanchette