Guidelines for Applying Civil Engineering Principles to Develop Community Learning Centers as Sustainable Learning Spaces

Abstract

Community learning center development today does not focus solely on organizing learning activities for local people, but also includes the improvement of physical environments that support learning, safety, well-being, accessibility, shared use by people of all ages, and the long-term sustainability of infrastructure. This research aimed to 1) analyze the role of civil engineering in developing community learning centers as sustainable learning spaces, 2) examine the components of community learning centers as sustainable learning spaces, and 3) propose guidelines for applying civil engineering principles to the design and development of community learning centers in accordance with sustainable development concepts. This study employed a mixed-methods approach. Data were collected through interviews with 9 key informants, questionnaires from 210 respondents, and focus group discussions with 12 experts and stakeholders. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis, while quantitative data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The findings revealed that civil engineering plays an important role in community learning center development in terms of building and space design, structural safety, utility systems, learning-supportive environments, and the connection between learning centers and community activities. The overall components of community learning centers as sustainable learning spaces were rated at a high level, with an overall mean of 4.27 and a standard deviation of 0.48. Safety and accessibility received the highest mean score of 4.41, while environment and green spaces received the lowest mean score of 4.11. The synthesis of findings led to five key guidelines: safe and flexible building design, effective utility system development, environmental and green space management, shared use with the community, and participation of all sectors in planning, designing, and maintaining community learning centers sustainably. The findings may serve as practical guidelines for educational agencies, local administrative organizations, and communities in planning the development of community learning centers as learning spaces that respond to sustainable development.