2019 Sustainability Institution of the Year Finalist: Universidad EAFIT, Colombia

EAFIT campus: A park in the city transforming our learning and working environment

The “University Park” project emerged in EAFIT in 2004 as part of the master plan for the development of EAFITs facilities by 2024. EAFIT had many "non-places” that did not motivate students to stay. It was realized that nature could play a key role to create better learning and working environments that inspire students, and positively influence the memory of the graduates and the dynamics of the city. Moreover, because EAFIT is incorporated in the city it should be highly compromised to be environmental responsible. Thus, the need to incorporate native flora and fauna into the campus concept was determined. Thereof, EAFIT campus started a transformation into an inclusive place in equilibrium with nature and culture. Different ecosystems have been designed artistically to invite people staying and learning, where people meet pleasantly in the middle of nature, like in a park.

Top 3 learnings:

The “University Park” project is like a rhizome, many sustainability initiatives have emerged from it.
Campus transformation to sustainability requires not only architectural improvement but also deep organizational and cultural changes.

A park is a place to be and must be designed considering the needs of those who inhabit it and the environmental conditions evolving continuously

What it means to win

“It is an invaluable international recognition that gives us much more security to continue and helps us to achieve what we have always wanted: For EAFIT to be an example to replicate in other instances, such as a rhizome that expands its roots, so that workplaces can be in harmony with nature.”

Juan Luis Mejia Arango
Universidad EAFIT Chancellor

Videos

• 2019 Sustainability Institution of the Year Finalist: Universidad EAFIT, Colombia (click to hide)