Yogyakarta, August 19, 2025 – The Undergraduate, Master’s, and Doctoral Programs in Urban and Regional Planning (PWK), Universitas Gadjah Mada, welcomed the 2025/2026 academic year with an inaugural lecture themed “The Role of Information Technology in Enhancing the Effectiveness of Spatial Planning.”
The lecture was held onsite at the SGLC (Smart Green Learning Center) Auditorium, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada. It was attended by faculty members and students of the PWK program across all levels—undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral—particularly new students.
This inaugural lecture featured Dr. Ir. Suyus Windayana, M.App.Sc., Director General of Spatial Planning, Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), as the keynote speaker. The session was guided by Dr. Tri Mulyani Sunarharum, S.T., IPU., and moderated by Prof. Ir. Bhakti Setiawan, M.A., Ph.D., faculty member of Urban and Regional Planning at Universitas Gadjah Mada, who also officially opened the event.
Bhakti Setiawan emphasized that this inaugural lecture not only marks the beginning of the academic year but also provides students with a foundational understanding of the crucial role of spatial planning in development.
In his presentation, Suyus highlighted the rapid advancement of information technology in line with global changes, noting that spatial planning is among the sectors influenced by this dynamic development. The government, particularly through the Directorate General of Spatial Planning in collaboration with various stakeholders, strives to harness technological progress to improve the effectiveness of spatial planning.
Suyus further stressed the importance of human resources and skills, noting that students—as the younger, tech-savvy generation—play a pivotal role as key drivers in realizing effective spatial planning, not only in its processes but also in solving problems and delivering benefits to multiple stakeholders.
In addition to the presentation, students were given the opportunity to engage in discussion and pose questions.
The lecture delivered by Dr. Ir. Suyus Windayana, M.App.Sc., as Director General of Spatial Planning, ATR/BPN, aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
