In 2024, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (RMUTL) launched a key initiative to support Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by implementing sustainable construction and renovation practices. The university is focusing on building on brownfield sites, improving underused and deteriorated buildings to create sustainable, creative, and energy-efficient spaces.
As part of the “Project to Reform the System and Mechanisms for Utilizing Technological and Innovative Works to Create Intellectual Property and Commercial Income,” RMUTL has undertaken a series of activities aimed at developing the university’s infrastructure to become a hub for innovation, technology transfer, and creative collaboration.
One of the key components, Activity 8: Sustainable Workspace Renovation, involves the renovation of the old Furniture Design Building and surrounding unused land into a Creative Co-Working Space. This new facility will house the Institute for Creative Innovation and Technology, serving as an IP Hub and Service Provider (SP) within the university, fostering collaboration and supporting commercialization of research and innovation outcomes.
This initiative directly supports SDG 11.4.9, emphasizing the protection and sustainable management of cultural and natural heritage through the revitalization of existing urban spaces. By repurposing old or abandoned sites, the university helps reduce encroachment on new natural areas, enhance urban aesthetics, and increase space utilization efficiency.
The project also aligns with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by strengthening innovation infrastructure, and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by promoting commercial income generation through intellectual property. The development of the Co-Working Space provides an enabling environment for entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators to collaborate and grow sustainably.
In 2024, the project received a budget of 1,073,960 THB, led by Dr. Patcharaprakiti, Director of the Research and Development Institute, under Pillar 1: Research and Academic Services Reform (USAIL). Building upon its success, RMUTL has allocated an additional 2,000,000 THB in 2025 to further enhance energy-efficient and sustainable renovation following the university’s policy on green and energy-saving buildings (as outlined in the official announcement on energy-efficient renovation policy).
Through this initiative, RMUTL continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable campus development, integrating innovation, environmental responsibility, and community well-being into its long-term strategic plan.
