Khon Kaen University - SDG Alignment for Master of Architecture Program in Architecture

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).

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

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Alignment Summary: The program promotes good health and well-being by emphasizing the design of built environments that support physical, mental, and social health. Through the study of universal design and human-centered architectural theory, graduates are equipped to create spaces that are accessible, safe, and conducive to the well-being of all people, including vulnerable populations.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AR457215	Universal Design	Directly supports the well-being of all ages by teaching principles for designing environments that are usable by people with diverse abilities, promoting inclusivity and health (Target 3.4).
AR457213	Architectural Design Theory	Contributes to well-being by exploring how architectural design impacts human experience and behavior, leading to the creation of healthier and more supportive environments.

SDG 4: Quality Education

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Alignment Summary: As a master's program, this curriculum represents a high level of quality education. It is designed to cultivate expert architects and researchers by providing advanced training in research methodologies and fostering the lifelong learning skills necessary to address complex challenges in the built environment.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AR457102	Architectural Research Methodology	Provides the core research skills that define high-quality graduate education, equipping students for high-level employment and lifelong learning in research and professional practice (Target 4.3 and 4.4).
AR45789X	Thesis/Independent Study	These courses are capstone lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.3), where students conduct original research or in-depth study, thereby acquiring superior technical and professional skills for employment and innovation (Target 4.4).

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum drives innovation in the construction and design industries. By providing advanced training in digital technology, building information modeling (BIM), and sustainable materials, it enhances scientific research and upgrades the technological capabilities of the architectural profession, fostering the development of more efficient and sustainable infrastructure.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AR457217	Digital Technology in Architectural Design	Supports Target 9.5 by enhancing scientific research and upgrading the technological capabilities of the design and construction industries through advanced digital tools like BIM.
AR457220	Wisdom and Innovation in Architecture	Drives innovation by integrating traditional wisdom with modern technology to create novel and sustainable architectural solutions (Target 9.5).

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

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Alignment Summary: This program is fundamentally focused on creating sustainable, inclusive, and resilient human settlements. The curriculum provides a deep understanding of environmental design, urbanism, and the preservation of cultural heritage, equipping graduates with the skills to design buildings and communities that are environmentally sound and culturally sensitive.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AR457212	Environmental Design in Architecture	Directly supports Target 11.6 by focusing on reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities through sustainable building design and technology.
AR457218	Vernacular Architecture in Southeast Asia	Contributes to safeguarding cultural and natural heritage (Target 11.4) by studying and preserving traditional building knowledge and practices that are inherently sustainable.
AR457219	City, Architecture and Creative Economy	Directly aligns with Target 11.3 by providing skills for inclusive and sustainable urbanization through the lens of creative and cultural development.
AR457216	Architectural Conservation	Directly supports the protection and safeguarding of the world’s cultural and natural heritage, a key component of Target 11.4.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

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Alignment Summary: The program promotes responsible production patterns in the construction industry. The curriculum's focus on environmental design and sustainable technologies encourages the efficient use of resources and the reduction of waste, contributing to a more circular and responsible built environment.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AR457212	Environmental Design in Architecture	Promotes the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (Target 12.2) by teaching principles of environmentally sound design and material selection.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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Alignment Summary: The program fosters partnerships through its research-intensive and interdisciplinary approach. The seminar and research components require engagement with diverse stakeholders, including communities and the global academic community, promoting the knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder collaborations necessary to achieve sustainable development.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AR457101	Seminar in Architectural Research 1	Promotes the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.6) by requiring students to engage with and present on international research, fostering a culture of global knowledge-sharing.
AR45789X	Thesis/Independent Study	Represents a significant contribution to global partnerships (Target 17.16) by creating new, publishable knowledge that is shared internationally to help solve critical sustainability challenges in architecture.