Paris and Le Havre, France — From March 5 to 7, 2025, the international conference “The Rise of Asia” took place, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the 1955 Asian-African Conference and continuing the Bandung Spirit Movement. Day one was held in Paris, followed by sessions in Le Havre for the remaining two days, serving as a crucial forum for developing countries to collaborate on creating a more just, inclusive, and sustainable global future.

Since its launch in 2015, The Rise of Asia Conference has consistently emphasized solidarity, cooperation, and decolonization. This year, it reinforced its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the foundation of global development initiatives. A key agenda was the establishment of the University of New Emerging Forces (UNEFO) in Koudougou, Burkina Faso, supporting SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), and SDGs 10 and 11 (Reducing Inequality and Building Sustainable Communities). Notably, a student from UGM’s Department of Architecture and Planning (DTAP), Bening Putri Kasandra, contributed to the library design team for UNEFO, incorporating Burkina Faso’s local values and embodying the Asia-Africa spirit. read more

The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995 marked a turning point for Kobe City, transforming it into a center for expertise in safety management, particularly in disaster prevention and mitigation. Over the years, Kobe has become a hub for national and international organizations, institutions, researchers, and academics seeking to learn from the advanced safety management systems developed in response to the disaster.

As part of the Asian Cooperative Program (ACP), Kansai University of International Studies (KUISs) in Kobe, Japan, hosted an activity titled “The Japanese Safety Management and Japanese Culture.” This program ran from February 6 to 17, 2025, bringing together students from various ACP member universities, including Bramertha Salsabella Roseli (Mertha), a student from the Department of Architecture and Planning. The initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as quality education (SDG 4), innovation in infrastructure (SDG 9), and fostering global partnerships (SDG 17). read more

Yogyakarta, March 15, 2025 – Wiswakharman Expo (WEX) successfully held a discussion forum titled “Menutur Sajak” with the theme “Placemaking for Interaction and Learning.” The event featured speakers Syam Rachma Marcillia, S.T., M.Eng., Ph.D., a lecturer from the Department of Architecture and Planning (DTAP) UGM, and Dr. Phil. Oki Rahadianto Sutopo, S.Sos., M.Si. an Associate Professor of Sociology Program, UGM. This discussion took place at Titik Nol Yogyakarta, where attendees were invited to engage in conversations regarding the growing concerns of limited public spaces in Yogyakarta. As a city renowned for its title as the “Student City,” Yogyakarta is now facing challenges in adapting to students’ needs for inclusive spaces that support learning beyond the campus environment. read more

On March 5–6, 2025, a delegation from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) participated in the 19^th Southeast Asian Technical University Consortium (SEATUC) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The event, themed “Innovation for Green and Sustainable Future,” showcased discussions on innovation and sustainability. Among the UGM delegation team was Dr. Ir. Tri Mulyani Sunarharum, S.T., a lecturer from the Department of Architecture and Planning. She was accompanied by four other UGM representatives: Ir. Ali Awaludin, S.T., M.Eng., Ph.D., IPU., ACPE; Prof. Dr. Eng. Ir. Herianto, S.T., M.Eng., IPU., ASEAN Eng.; Dr. Ahmad Nasikun, S.T., M.Sc.; and Prof. Bertha Maya Sopha, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., IPM, ASEAN Eng. read more

On Saturday, February 8, 2025, the Master of Urban Design Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada conducted a public lecture to mark the beginning of the Even Semester 2024/2025. The event was held online in Lecture Room 1, 3rd Floor, North Wing of DTAP FT UGM, and was also accessible virtually via Zoom Meeting for all students and alumni.

The Master of Urban Design Program invited Adrianto Santoso, S.T., M.T., IAI, the President Director of PT PSUD, as the guest speaker. He delivered a lecture on the topic “Architecture and the City: Research in Enriching Contextual Urban Architecture.” Adrianto Santoso provided comprehensive insights into urban design for new students while also offering in-depth perspectives to general urban design students on the importance of research in urban design to create contextually relevant urban solutions. read more

On Sunday (23/2), Dr. Ir. Tri Mulyani Sunarharum, S.T. had the opportunity to be a speaker at KITA: Kolaborasi Inspirasi, an event organized by the Ikatan Mahasiswa Perencanaan Indonesia (IMPINAS). The online event, attended by students and the general public, revolved around the theme “Mental Health Perspective in Public Space Planning: Building a Mentally Healthy City.” This theme was chosen to address current urban conditions, which often prioritize efficiency and aesthetics over the mental well-being of communities using these spaces. read more

During the peak of the 79^th Hari Pendidikan Tinggi Teknik (HPTT) celebration last February, the Department of Architecture and Planning (DTAP) achieved a milestone by winning third place in the Jagoan Kompos Competition. Composting organic waste, such as fallen leaves and food scraps, is a simple, practical, and eco-friendly method to support responsible waste management. It helps prevent bad odors, reduces the risk of disease, and maintains a clean and pleasant environment. Through this competition, the Faculty of Engineering aims to inspire departments to actively contribute to the Zero Garbage Campaign. This aligns perfectly with this year’s HPTT theme, ‘The Role of Engineering Science in Responding to Global Climate Change and Creating a Quality and Sustainable Environment,’ addressing SDGs 3, 11, and 13. read more

A team of alumni from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) successfully earned an Honorable Mention in the EPOCH45 International Planning Competition, a multidisciplinary competition for students and young professionals in spatial planning for Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN). The competition was organized in collaboration between Diponegoro University and MARS Architects, aiming to find innovative solutions for urban and landscape development in the next phase of IKN’s construction. The award announcement took place on March 18, 2025, at Erasmus Huis, Royal Netherlands Embassy, Jakarta. read more

Dr. Ir. Arif Kusumawanto, M.T., IPU., a lecturer from the Department of Architecture and Planning, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), recently published a scientific paper titled “Simulation Model of Green Open Space on Microclimate Performance in Tropical Coastal Area”. This Scopus-indexed research aims to simulate scenarios of green open space to mitigate heating and improve microclimate performance. The study aligns with SDGs number 11, which focuses on sustainable cities and communities.

The research involves collaboration with academics from various institutions, including: read more

Yogyakarta, 11 February 2025 – Master program for Urban Regional Planning conducted a guest lecture was held in the Development Management course, featuring three remarkable speakers: Prof. Andrew Butt, Dr. Melissa Neave, and Dr. Serene Ho. Prof. Andrew Butt is from RMIT University, he is an expert in rural and regional planning, blending technology with urban planning to create smarter and more sustainable cities. Dr. Melissa Neave is from RMIT University, she is an environmental geographer, focuses on managing natural resources and understanding the environmental impacts of urbanization. Dr. Serene Ho, from The University of Melbourne, known for her work on land tenure governance, shed light on the challenges of managing land data. read more