11.4.9 Building on brownfield sites

Building on Brownfield Sites: Redevelopment of Previously Developed Land at Srinakharinwirot University

In 2025, Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) continued its commitment to sustainable land use and campus development by prioritising the redevelopment of underutilised and previously developed areas into functional facilities that benefit students, university personnel, and surrounding communities. In practice, SWU builds on brownfield sites where possible, meaning previously developed land or sites with previous, recent building that are currently underused or unused, with or without any level of contamination, instead of developing new, undeveloped land. This initiative reflects the University's commitment to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), particularly the efficient use of land, sustainable infrastructure development, and the improvement of living conditions within the university environment.

At SWU's Ongkharak Campus in Nakhon Nayok Province, the Student Dormitory Division renovated the student canteen and the central service building in the dormitory area in 2025 (B.E. 2568), as recorded on the division's public history page. Both are existing buildings on previously developed land within the dormitory zone; the student canteen has served dormitory residents since 2014 (B.E. 2557). Rather than building on new land, the University redeveloped and reused these existing buildings, turning them into a modern dining space and a central service building with a reading area for students. These facilities were improved and made available for student use in 2025, contributing to better access to food services, study space, and overall campus well-being.

Source: Student Dormitory Division, Srinakharinwirot University – History page (http://dorm.op.swu.ac.th/history)

Figure 1. Student canteen (left) and central service building (right), Ongkharak Campus, as shown on the facilities page of the Student Dormitory Division website.

Source: http://dorm.op.swu.ac.th/facilities

Figure 2. Student canteen, Ongkharak Campus, as shown in the current photographs on the Student Dormitory Division home page.

Source: http://dorm.op.swu.ac.th/

Figure 3. Central service building used as a reading area for students, as shown in the current photographs on the Student Dormitory Division home page.

Source: http://dorm.op.swu.ac.th/

By prioritising the improvement and adaptive reuse of existing campus buildings on brownfield sites, SWU seeks to minimise unnecessary land development while maximising the social and environmental value of its physical infrastructure. These efforts also contribute to a healthier, safer, and more inclusive campus environment, enhancing the quality of life of students, staff, and other users of university facilities.

This approach demonstrates SWU's ongoing efforts to integrate sustainable land management into its institutional development and to promote the responsible use of campus resources in accordance with the principles of sustainable urban and community development.