EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR TROPICAL UNIVERSITY WATERFRONTS: A FIVE-DIMENSIONAL SOCIAL EQUITY ASSESSMENT

Abstract

University waterfronts in Southeast Asia lack systematic policy frameworks linking community usage patterns to infrastructure investment, resulting in resource misallocation and social equity disparities. This study develops and validates a Five-Dimensional Environmental Quality (5D-EQ) framework addressing gaps in evidence-based institutional planning. The framework integrates behavioral observation with environmental quality assessment across five dimensions: Accessibility, Landscape Character, Activity Diversity, Human-Nature Connection, and Safety & Comfort. Field testing at Chiang Mai University's waterfront employed validated inter-rater reliability protocols, normalized frequency analysis, and usage-accessibility correlation analysis across five zones. Results revealed critical social equity concerns. Zone C showed highest community usage (NF=29.37) paired with severe accessibility deficits (ACC=1.90), indicating systematic mismatches between user needs and institutional provision. Universal deficiencies in human-nature connection across all zones highlighted unrealized community well-being potential. The 5D-EQ methodology provides validated assessment protocols enabling systematic translation of behavioral evidence into measurable policy priorities. Framework application demonstrates scalability across Southeast Asian institutional contexts through cultural calibration protocols. This approach offers replicable methodology for evidence-based resource allocation, addressing common gaps where infrastructure investment misaligns with actual community usage patterns and social equity requirements.