EXPERTS

BINUS University integrates educational facilities into existing urban developments, utilizing established buildings and commercial environments to accommodate learning activities. Two examples are BINUS @Bandung at Paskal Hyper Square and the extension-class facility at Mall@Alam Sutera. Both initiatives demonstrate how educational functions can be integrated into existing commercial environments.

• BINUS @Bandung: Educational Integration within a Former Railway-Related Area

The Paskal area in Bandung has historical links to railway freight and warehouse activities around Bandung Gudang Station. Development of Paskal Hyper Square began in 2004, transforming the railway-related area into a commercial destination featuring retail, dining, and other urban activities.

In September 2017, BINUS University established its Bandung campus at Paskal Hyper Square, introducing an educational function into the revitalized area. By integrating higher education into this existing commercial development, BINUS contributes to the area’s continued use as a destination for learning, commerce, and social activities.

• BINUS @Alam Sutera: Reusing Existing Commercial Space for Education

In June 2023, detikFinance reported low visitor activity and several closed retail outlets at Mall@Alam Sutera. According to the mall’s management, occupancy was approximately 60%, alongside plans for renovation and tenant acquisition to improve the mall’s business performance.

In September 2024, BINUS University opened an extension-class facility at Mall@Alam Sutera, introducing eight classrooms on the first floor, east side of the mall. Equipped with digital technology, lounge areas, discussion rooms, and collaborative learning spaces, the facility expands BINUS’s educational capacity within an existing commercial building without requiring a new standalone building.

The facility brings recurring student activity into the mall throughout the academic week. Students can access food and beverage outlets and other facilities before and after classes, creating opportunities for interaction between educational and commercial activities. This arrangement integrates learning into the mall’s existing retail, dining, and leisure environment.

Sustainable living has emerged as a central global conversation, driven by the pressing environmental challenges posed by human activity. Embracing environmentally friendly practices in various sectors, including building architecture, is essential for fostering a sustainable and resilient future. 

The Green Campus Initiative Joint Workshop was successfully held by BINUS University’s Faculty of Engineering from October 7th to 10th, 2024, in partnership with the National University of Singapore (NUS). This workshop included NUS’s online lectures and featured discussions with representatives from NUS and Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University (UAJY) on sustainable and eco-friendly building. 

Dr. Marcel Ignatius, a Senior Researcher from NUS, kicked off the first day of the workshop with a sharing session about his research on climate change and eco-friendly building design at the College of Design and Engineering and further discussed NUS’s BEAM (Baselining, Evaluating, Action, and Monitoring) Initiative program. 

Following Dr. Marcel’s session, Lu Yijun, a Research Assistant from NUS, took the floor to discuss Sustainable Attempts for Urban Greenery and Architecture in Tropical Climate. The session was then followed by a discussion with representatives from NUS and UAJY, focusing on future partnership activities, including joint research programs and case studies. 

Participants had an engaging session with Joie Lim on ‘Interactive Urban Heat Island Assessment: Dynamic Data Fusion in Digital Twins’ that provided insight into how technology can help humans understand the potential impact of climate change before engaging with BINUS University’s student work on weather detectors as part of their research track in the Enrichment Program option.  

Ting Shi An, one of the Graduate Tutors at NUS who also present virtually, shared a presentation titled “Photovoltaic System and Technologies: Exploring Their Environmental Impact.” This talk highlighted the potential of harnessing solar energy to mitigate climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Following this session, Dr. Marcel Ignatius covered the “STEVE Tool and the Binus Syahdan Case Study.” 

The Green Campus Initiative Workshop concluded on the fourth day with discussions focused on future research plans, particularly urban heritage and vegetation in Yogyakarta’s palace area, and other projects in Jakarta and Singapore. This collaborative effort between BINUS University, the National University of Singapore, and Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University has not only facilitated the exchange of knowledge on eco-friendly technologies and campus policies but has also strengthened inter-institutional relationships. By fostering these connections, the workshop has laid the groundwork for future partnerships and positioned our university to effectively adopt green building technologies, contributing to a more sustainable future. 

BINUS University works with local authorities and community stakeholders to support more inclusive and sustainable housing development in Jakarta. Through its community empowerment initiatives, BINUS contributes academic expertise, data analysis, and community-based approaches to help address local housing and planning challenges.

One of these collaborations focuses specifically on housing data for Jakarta. BINUS University has worked with relevant government stakeholders to support the development and improvement of a housing database for DKI Jakarta. The collaboration focuses on improving the availability and quality of housing data, including information that can support the identification of housing conditions and community needs. Reliable housing data provides an important basis for local authorities to develop more targeted housing policies and planning interventions.

BINUS has also participated in initiatives to improve the quality and management of housing data in DKI Jakarta. Through collaboration with local government stakeholders, BINUS contributes to data-related activities that support more accurate and integrated information for sustainable housing planning. These efforts help strengthen the evidence base available to authorities when addressing housing challenges and planning future development.

The university’s collaboration also addresses the broader goal of creating inclusive and sustainable housing in Jakarta. BINUS’s initiatives bring together university expertise, government stakeholders, and communities to identify local housing issues and support solutions that are responsive to residents’ needs. By contributing knowledge, data, and community engagement, BINUS supports local authorities in addressing housing development as part of wider urban and community planning.

These activities are aligned with BINUS University’s broader BINUS Bangun Desa approach, which promotes collaboration between the university, government, communities, and other stakeholders to address local development challenges. Through this model, BINUS applies its academic and professional expertise to real community needs and supports sustainable local development.

Overall, BINUS University works with local authorities to address housing and planning issues through collaborative data development, housing assessment, and community-based initiatives. By helping improve the availability and quality of housing information for Jakarta and supporting inclusive and sustainable housing planning, BINUS contributes to efforts that can help local authorities better identify community needs and develop appropriate housing interventions, including for residents who require access to adequate and affordable housing.

BINUS University prioritises pedestrian access as an integral part of its campus design, accessibility, and sustainable mobility approach. Walking pavements are provided as a mandatory facility across all BINUS University campus areas, while pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, including connecting bridges between buildings, is integrated into campus design to encourage walking as a primary mode of movement.

• Pedestrian Pathways

BINUS provides dedicated pedestrian pathways that are elevated above the surrounding road surface, creating a clear separation between pedestrians and motor vehicles. The pathways are complemented by trees and other plants, creating a greener and cooler walking environment, while canopies provide additional protection and comfort for pedestrians, particularly during rainy weather.

• Accessibility for All

Pedestrian access is further supported by facilities designed to accommodate users with different mobility needs.

BINUS campuses provide :

1. Designated accessible parking areas near building entrances : The availability of these dedicated parking spaces enables students with disabilities who require mobility support, such as wheelchair users or individuals using other mobility aids, to enter campus facilities more comfortably and efficiently.

2. Ramps alongside stairs : In areas that cannot be accessed by elevators but are located at a higher level than the surrounding pathways, ramps are provided alongside stairs to ensure that students with disabilities can reach these locations without being limited to stairways or escalators. Some campus facilities are located in recessed areas, corners, or elevated sections that may not be directly accessible from the main pathways. For students with disabilities who rely on mobility aids, ramps provide an essential means of access to these spaces.

3. Accessible restrooms : These accessible restrooms are carefully designed to meet the needs of their users and provide greater comfort and independence. These facilities support students with disabilities as well as other users, such as elderly individuals, parents with strollers, and staff transporting goods.

• Sustainable Mobility

Pedestrian infrastructure forms part of BINUS University’s broader sustainable commuting strategy. The university promotes walking, cycling, shuttle buses, and electric vehicles as lower-emission mobility options and aims to reduce reliance on private vehicles. By making walking infrastructure mandatory across its campuses and connecting pedestrian routes with other sustainable transportation options, BINUS integrates pedestrian access into its wider campus mobility planning.

• Information Signage

Information signage is provided across campus to help students, staff, and visitors identify facilities, navigate buildings, and find their destinations more easily. Clear and accessible signage supports independent movement and improves the overall campus experience. Strategically placed signage also helps users understand directions and locate important campus facilities, particularly in areas with multiple pathways, buildings, or entrances.

• Guiding Blocks

Guiding blocks are provided along pedestrian routes to support way finding for students and visitors with visual impairments. The tactile pathways help users navigate campus spaces more independently and safely. By integrating guiding blocks with the campus pedestrian network, BINUS supports a more inclusive walking environment and improves accessibility for users with different mobility and sensory needs.

Overall, BINUS University’s mandatory pedestrian pathways, dedicated and separated walkways, weather-protection features, connecting bridges, and accessibility facilities demonstrate that pedestrian access is prioritised across its campuses. These measures make walking safer, more comfortable, accessible, and practical for students, faculty, staff, and visitors, while supporting BINUS University’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable campus mobility.

BINUS University supports location-flexible working and learning through established digital platforms that enable academic activities to be conducted without requiring physical presence on campus. This digital approach provides an alternative to commuting for activities that can be delivered remotely and contributes to BINUS’s broader efforts to reduce unnecessary travel and its associated environmental impact.

Established Online Learning Infrastructure

BINUS has operated BINUS Online Learning since 2009, providing fully online higher education through a flexible learning model. The program uses digital learning systems that allow activities to be conducted without being tied to a particular physical location. BINUS Online Learning was also formally recognized as a distance-learning provider in 2014.

The model supports location flexibility for academic activities. BINUS’s 2025 description of online learning also notes that lecturers are not restricted by time and location when delivering online teaching through BINUSMAYA, enabling teaching activities to take place remotely.

The same initiative incorporates Ride Share and Eco Carbon Balance features to address commuting and transportation emissions, linking digital participation with efforts to reduce private-vehicle use and carbon emissions.

Through its established online-learning infrastructure and expanding digital campus approach, BINUS provides mechanisms that enable academic and selected university activities to be conducted remotely or with greater location flexibility. These practices can reduce the need for physical commuting where on-campus presence is not required, supporting BINUS’s broader sustainability efforts to reduce transportation-related environmental impacts.

BINUS University undertakes several actions to promote more sustainable commuting across its campuses, providing alternatives to private vehicle use through free shuttle services, bicycle facilities, pedestrian infrastructure, and electric vehicle support.

Free Shuttle Bus Services

BINUS provides free shuttle bus services for students and staff to travel between campuses. The service reduces reliance on private vehicles by providing shared transportation for the university community. Shuttle usage is also monitored to determine appropriate bus capacity based on demand.

At BINUS @Bekasi, for example, a free shuttle connects BINUS @Bekasi and BINUS @Kemanggisan, providing students with a convenient shared-transport option for cross-campus activities without additional transportation costs.

Cycling and Pedestrian Facilities

BINUS also promotes non-motorized transportation by providing bicycle parking areas and organizing cycling groups. In addition, walking pavements are provided as a mandatory facility across BINUS campuses, supporting walking as an alternative mode of campus mobility.

Supporting Electric Mobility

To encourage the use of lower-emission vehicles, BINUS provides electric vehicle recharging stations for its university community. The initiative supports the adoption of electric transportation and provides practical infrastructure for students, faculty, and staff using electric vehicles.

Through these initiatives, BINUS University provides multiple sustainable commuting options—shared shuttle transportation, cycling, walking, and electric mobility—that help reduce dependence on conventional private vehicles and support more environmentally sustainable transportation across its campuses.

BINUS University is committed to providing safe, comfortable, and affordable housing for students through its official residence facility, BINUS Square. Located in West Jakarta, BINUS Square serves as more than just a dormitory — it is a vibrant residential community designed to support students’ academic and personal development while ensuring an inclusive and accessible living environment for all.

BINUS Square offers a variety of facilities that enhance students’ daily lives, including a swimming pool, study rooms, a fitness center, a communal kitchen, game rooms, and shared social spaces. These facilities are designed to promote a healthy balance between study and recreation while fostering interaction and collaboration among students from diverse backgrounds. Through a dedicated residential management team, BINUS ensures that all residents receive continuous support in maintaining their well-being, safety, and academic progress.

To promote affordability, BINUS University provides special scholarship opportunities for BINUS Square residents, offering up to 25% reduction in accommodation fees. This scholarship is open to active BINUS students who are selected through an application and interview process to serve in various student leadership roles within BINUS Square. This program not only reduces financial barriers to housing but also empowers students to develop leadership and community management skills during their stay. 

Additionally, BINUS supports incoming international and domestic students through its International Office, which provides comprehensive guidance on accommodation options and living arrangements in Jakarta, including BINUS Square and other nearby housing alternatives. Students can access detailed information and support for accommodation. These resources ensure that all students—especially those coming from other regions or countries—receive proper assistance in finding affordable and secure housing during their studies. 

Through these initiatives, BINUS University demonstrates its ongoing commitment to student welfare and inclusivity. By combining affordability, accessibility, and community engagement within its housing policy, BINUS provides a supportive environment that allows students to focus on their academic success and personal growth while ensuring equitable access to safe living spaces.