Khon Kaen University

SDG Alignment for Master of Architecture Program in Architecture

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Master of Architecture program is holistically designed to produce architects who can create sustainable and culturally sensitive built environments. The program's core philosophy, centered on integrating human needs with environmental ethics and local wisdom, makes it a powerful contributor to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Through a deep focus on environmental design, resource efficiency, and vernacular architecture, the program directly addresses the creation of inclusive, safe, and resilient human settlements. This emphasis also strongly aligns with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by promoting sustainable building practices. By training experts in universal design and human-centered architectural theory, the curriculum contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). As a graduate-level program, it is a flagship for SDG 4 (Quality Education), drives innovation under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and fosters the collaborations essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Best Practices

        The Master of Architecture Program in Architecture was strategically revised in 2023 to respond to Khon Kaen University's mission of being a key mechanism for driving sustainable development at the regional level.
        The curriculum focuses on solving the challenge of blending local wisdom with innovative design to create a sustainable environment and promote the creative economy in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). The operation thus emphasizes the research and design-based learning paradigm, which intensively integrates in-depth architectural knowledge with social and cultural contexts through the creation of practice-focused thesis and independent study works. This blends content from relevant subjects, such as AR 457 219 City, Architecture, and Creative Economy, which analyzes the mechanism for creating economic value in urban areas, and AR 457 220 Local Wisdom and Innovation in Architecture, which promotes the sustainable use of technology alongside local knowledge.
        The empirical results are the production of master's graduates who are 'thought leaders and researchers' capable of concretely creating new knowledge and design innovation that reduces environmental impact and increases the quality of life of local people.
        This delivers a strategic impact on a large scale by elevating the capacity of architects and urban planners in developing Sustainable Cities and Communities by focusing on the responsible use of resources and sustainable alignment with local identity. This thus aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), in creating inclusive and flexible environments through research and design; SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), in accelerating innovation and supporting the Creative Industries rooted in local wisdom; and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), in promoting design that considers the Product Life Cycle and the most efficient use of local resources.