GreenEase: Sustaining Green Culture in a Busy Academic Environment

Abstract

Green spaces within academic settings are known to reduce stress, improve well-being, and enhance the overall atmosphere. However, sustaining such greenery is often challenging due to the demanding workload of teaching, research, and administration. This project, GreenEase, addresses this challenge by introducing a low-labor, sustainable green solution tailored for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. The innovation consists of two main components. First, the GreenEase Balcony Strip is based on a real-life green initiative at the 2nd-floor entrance of the Department of Pathology and Microbiology, where plants have been growing for several years. This space is revitalized using drought-tolerant plants, compost-based soil, and mulching techniques to minimize water usage and maintenance effort. Second, a Ground-Based Green Strip is proposed as a scalable design for underutilized faculty spaces such as walkways and building perimeters. It involves raised or bordered soil beds in old car tyres planted with hardy species and edible vegetables. Both concepts aim to promote environmental sustainability while requiring minimal daily care. The GreenEase project demonstrates how sustainable greenery can be achieved in time-constrained academic environments. It combines real experience with eco-conscious techniques, offering a practical model that other departments can replicate. The project supports mental wellness, enhances the faculty’s visual appeal, and encourages a lasting green culture without placing additional burdens on academic staff.