The physical development of the UPM Serdang campus today has been shaped and influenced by the early history of the country's higher education, teaching and learning programs, institutional expansion and the direction of the university which emphasizes the need to remain competitive in the world of higher education. At one time, the physical formation of the UPM campus over half a century has had a value of "sense of place" that cannot be matched by any public university campus in Malaysia. Agricultural farms, pastures, orchards as well as artificial forests or arboretums became a large part of the dominant character of the campus landscape over a relatively long period of time. However, the changes that have taken place in the direction of the university in the last three decades have to some extent changed the function of space, physical characteristics and the value of "sense of place" which was previously very significant with the UPM campus.

This change in the local spirit is also contributed by the application of landscape design that does not have a clear goal and is "ad-hoc" and "territorial". This approach not only causes a weakness to the unity of landscape design but it also affects the potential of the environment as well as the use of existing resources. The weakness of this landscape union also has a negative impact on the relationship between green space, recreation areas, academic buildings, residential colleges and connecting routes that should be part of the core that builds the image and identity of the physical environment of UPM Serdang campus. The absence of a clear architectural language, the addition of physical structures that have no design value as well as issues related to maintenance also affect the environment of the UPM Serdang campus.

Therefore, there is a need to develop a clear strategic plan for landscape development in UPM based on issues, resources and current direction of the university. Through an appropriate action plan, this strategic plan will provide a guide to landscape design solutions in order to create a sustainable, elegant, quality and safe campus environment. Attention should also be given to landscape planning strategies that can meet the lifestyle needs of students, staff and contribute to the well -being of the local community. In addition, the emphasis on landscape regeneration on the UPM campus needs to address current issues such as global warming and mental health and not be purely aesthetic. With a visionary and sustainable strategic planning, it will be able to build the strength and continuity of UPM's image and identity in the longer term and comparable to the world -renowned university landscape environment.

Translation
1. "sense of place" - the local spirit
2. “ad-hoc”-ad-hoc/temporary method
3. "territorial"- region/region

LAr. Dr. Shamsul Abu Bakar Senior Lecturer, Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Design and Architecture,  Universiti Putra Malaysia

Date of Input: 30/12/2021 | Updated: 30/12/2021 | arizy