RTB and RTH as Considerations in Choosing a University
There are many considerations people have when choosing a university, one of which is the comfortable and serene campus environment. Some campuses in Indonesia have lakes spread across their grounds. One such example is the IPB Dramaga Campus, known for its lake or pond as a blue open space (RTB). There are three lakes in this campus area, namely Lake LSI located between the Library and the Andi Hakim Nasoetion Rectorate Building, Inspirational Lake located near the main entrance of IPB Dramaga, and SDGs Lake located in the Laboratory Field area of the Faculty of Animal Sciences.
Moreover, the IPB Dramaga campus is also dominated by expansive green open spaces (RTH) such as arboretums, gardens, and riverbank greening areas. Regarding the presence of lakes at the IPB Dramaga Campus, Prof Hadi Susilo Arifin, the Chair of the Master’s Program in Natural Resources and Environmental Management, explains several functions and benefits of lakes for the environment.
He stated that the beauty of the area around the lake, which is a green open space, can be used for healing and recreation. Not only that, with elements such as plants and animals like geese or birds in the LSI lake, the lake becomes more beautiful and pleasing to the eye.
Prof Hadi explained that the presence of lakes can also maintain biodiversity, especially for animals and plants that live around and in the lake. Both on the surface and inside, there are various types of fish, birds, monitor lizards, and various aquatic plants.
He also mentioned that blue open spaces like lakes are closely related to the presence of green open spaces. They are interconnected and have interrelated functions, namely the presence of plants and vegetation around the lake and on the lake’s surface can absorb carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Good absorption of carbon dioxide not only can lower the air temperature microscopically but also causes the oxygen (O2) produced from photosynthesis to freshen the air around the lake.
“With the presence of lakes at the IPB Dramaga Campus, carbon absorption increases so that the air temperature will decrease,” said Prof Hadi Hadi Susilo Arifin, who is the chair of the Water Sensitive Cities research team in collaboration with IPB University and Monash University, Australia, from 2016 to 2019.
Prof Hadi explained that not only beneficial for the environment, but the presence of lakes can also be used as a water supply for various purposes on campus. “The presence of lakes at the IPB Dramaga Campus can be used as a raw water source, which can then be processed for domestic use in campus units, dormitories, and for watering or irrigation in experimental gardens,” he said.
So, do you consider the serenity of the campus environment when choosing a university? (IAAS/Hap)
