Students at the University of Stavanger need more than just a green space.
Blog post
The blogpost is written by
This blog post is written by master's student Mashriki Hussain Mohona, under the supervision of Ari Tarigan.
They want functions that invite them to stay, socialize, and relax outside beyond the climatic challenges. So, why haven’t we brought these ideas to life yet? Most green spaces on university campuses are designed for aesthetic appeal but often fail to facilitate user experiences. My research on the University of Stavanger (UiS) highlights a disconnect between campus green space design and student use, aimed at answering a simple yet powerful question: “Can green spaces, if functionally designed, boost student engagement and urban quality?” This blog shares findings from my master’s thesis, which explores how nature- based solutions can transform underutilized outdoor areas on campus into multifunctional, welcoming spaces that promote student engagement, enhance well-being, and support biodiversity.
What causes the limited use of outdoor functions?
The main campus of the University of Stavanger is in Ullandhaug, a tranquil suburban area in Stavanger. The campus is surrounded by scattered open spaces, green lawns, and a high density of parking lots. Although the campus offers a few outdoor activities for students, they rarely use them. Why? It’s mostly due to the Nordic harsh weather, but so is the limited availability of climate-adapted outdoor facilities. There is a lack of shades and features to support informal gatherings and recreational activities, such as seating, gathering areas, or nature-integrated learning spaces. Although the campus development plan addresses sustainability and green infrastructure, it largely focuses on stormwater management and biodiversity, overlooking the functionality and user experience. The result is green spaces that are “Technically” sustainable but socially underutilized.
What does the research reveal?
In my research, I explored how to fill the gap between planning and user preferences, specifically students. Nature-based solutions (NbS) served as the main theory on which my conceptual framework was built, emphasizing the multifunctionality of these solutions. The research involved the policy analysis of Stavanger's green plan and the University of Stavanger's strategies for a green transition. I surveyed students on campus and conducted a pilot co-design workshop with ten students to uncover how students use these spaces, what prevents them from using them, and what could encourage them to spend more time outdoors, even in the Nordic climate.
A participatory approach is needed
The analysis found that students seek multifunctional spaces, not just green lawns, which makes the outdoor areas monotonous and unusable. In the survey, students highlighted nature-oriented features such as shaded outdoor seating and study areas, gardens, and small ponds that encourage them to spend more time outside rather than being confined to indoor activities.
Weather can be a barrier, but design interventions can fix it. The survey found that the weather was the most dominant reason for not using campus outdoor spaces. But it also revealed how climate- adapted designs could encourage more outdoor engagement.
The co-design workshop revealed that nature-based solutions can be effective when designed for people. Rain gardens, ponds, and green roofs can mitigate climatic challenges while supporting social and recreational use. When the students co-designed two zones on campus, they combined design solutions using NbS to transform underutilized spaces into a socially and ecologically engaging urban environment.
Students who participated in the workshop stated that they felt more connected to these spaces after being included in the design thinking process. That workshop reveals how a participatory approach can enhance social engagement and responsibility.
Conclusion
When I intended to look for solutions, my aim was simple: to find an approach that is environmentally friendly, brings people together, and can adapt according to the weather. It may sound ambitious, but nature-based solutions might be the game changer in this aspect. Nature-based solutions offer a promising way to achieve the campus sustainability goals set for Stavanger's green transition movement. What stood out during my analysis is the power of a more bottom-up approach, which involves including students and other stakeholders in the co-design process for better acceptance. My analysis of Urban Nature Labs' co-design framework emphasized the need for a participatory design approach that not only involves stakeholders in the design process but also seeks strategies for long- term monitoring and co-governance of user acceptance.