From July 6 to 8, 2026, representatives of the Department of Architecture and Planning, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), conducted an academic visit to the Department of Architecture, Dong-Eui University (DEU), Busan, South Korea. This visit marked an important milestone in strengthening UGM Architecture’s international network, while also introducing the context of architectural education in Indonesia to the academic community in South Korea.

The series of activities began with a guest lecture titled “Learning Architecture in Context: Indonesia and Yogyakarta.” This lecture introduced Indonesia, the city of Yogyakarta, and the profile of UGM’s Architecture Study Program to DEU’s academic community. It also presented an overview of ongoing research focused on publicness in architecture and urban design, a topic exploring how public space is shaped and given meaning within architectural practice and urban design. The lecture was attended by approximately 30 final-year students and 4 professors from DEU, becoming a space for academic dialogue between two institutions from different cultural backgrounds. read more

Prof. Ir. Bakti Setiawan, M.A., Ph.D., affectionately known as Prof. Bobby, Professor of the Urban and Regional Planning Study Program, Department of Architecture and Planning, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (DTAP FT UGM), participated in The 6th World Planning Schools Congress (WPSC) 2026, held from June 29 to July 3, 2026, in Helsinki, Finland. Under the theme “Peripheral Visions: Rethinking Planning”, the congress brought together academics, researchers, and planning practitioners from around the world to discuss emerging challenges and new directions in planning theory and practice in response to today’s global issues. read more

The Doctoral Program in Architecture of the Department of Architecture and Planning (DTAP), Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has once again achieved a significant academic milestone through the publication of two scientific works in reputable international publications. These publications demonstrate the contribution of the academic community of the Doctoral Program in Architecture to addressing various global challenges, ranging from indoor thermal comfort to the conservation of cultural and natural heritage. read more

As part of the learning activities in the Research Methodology 2 course, students from the Master of Architecture Program, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), conducted a field study in several areas of Pekuncen Village, Jatilawang District, Banyumas Regency, Central Java. This activity became an important stage in the field research-based learning process to deepen students’ understanding of the phenomenological approach in architecture and the built environment.

The field study aimed to collect data and information regarding spatial phenomena, building conditions, and cultural practices developed within Pekuncen Village. The observation focused on the relationship between space, social activities, and cultural values embedded in the community. The collected data will serve as the foundation for students’ research assignments in the Research Methodology 2 course. read more

As part of the learning process in the Studio 1 Contextual Exploration course, students from the Master of Architecture Program, Tourism Architecture Concentration, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), conducted a field survey at Bandengan Beach Area, Jepara Regency, from 7–10 May 2026. The activity served as an important stage in preparing the Master Plan for the Tourism Attraction Area (ODTW) of Bandengan Beach, with a planning horizon from 2025 to 2035.

Recognized as one of Jepara’s leading coastal tourism destinations, Bandengan Beach plays a strategic role as one of the largest contributors to the tourism sector’s Regional Original Revenue (PAD). This potential makes the area a relevant learning laboratory for tourism architecture students to understand the dynamics of marine tourism development through a contextual, sustainable, and locally based approach. read more

A study examining conservation strategies for colonial-era religious and educational complexes in the Archdiocese of Semarang through the Historic Interpretation Strategy (HIS) approach has been published in an international journal. The research was published in Social Sustainability in Economic, Social, and Cultural. The article by Rosalia Rachma Rihadiani, together with Prof. Ir. Sudaryono, M.Eng., Ph.D., IPU. as Promotor and Dr.Eng. Ir. Laretna Trisnantari Adishakti, M.Arch. as Co-Promotor, can be accessed through: https://doi.org/10.18848/2325-1115/CGP/v22i01/63-86. The research, entitled “Historical Collective Memory as a Strategy for Architectural Conservation in the Archdiocese of Semarang: A Case Study of Yogyakarta, Surakarta, Muntilan, Ambarawa, and Semarang,” highlights that architectural conservation is not limited to the physical aspects of buildings, but also involves collective memory, historical values, and spatial meanings that continue to evolve within society. read more

On April 2, 2026, the Urban and Regional Planning Program (PWK) at Universitas Gadjah Mada had the opportunity to explore population issues directly from a practitioner’s perspective. Mohamad Iqbal Apriansyah, S.H., M.P.H., Head of the Representative Office of BKKBN Yogyakarta Special Region, delivered a presentation on Indonesia’s population policy direction amid increasingly complex social dynamics.

The guest lecture highlighted that spatial planning cannot be separated from demographic conditions and human quality. Mr. Iqbal presented various strategic intervention programs, ranging from the “Genting” (Foster Parents to Prevent Stunting Movement) program, which aims to ensure the quality of future generations, to the “Tamasya” (Child Care Park) program, which supports a standardized child-care ecosystem. In addition, the issue of fatherlessness in Indonesia was addressed through the Gerakan Ayah Teladan Indonesia (GATI), emphasizing the important role of fathers in strengthening family resilience. read more

Doctoral students from the Architecture Study Program, Department of Architectural Engineering and Planning (DTAP), Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), continue to strengthen their academic contributions through research publications in internationally reputable Scopus-indexed journals. Two recent studies highlight different architectural issues, ranging from architectural education to heritage conservation.

The research article titled “Evaluating relationships between hand-drawing ability and design performance: Case of Architecture Study Program UGM” was authored by Kadek Indira Diah Kardina, Labdo Pranowo, Nur Zahrotunnisaa Zagi, and Dijeng Dwi Putri, together with lecturers Mario Lodeweik Lionar, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D. and Harry Kurniawan, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D. The article was published in the international journal ARTEKS: Journal of Architecture. This study examines the relationship between hand-drawing ability and architecture students’ design performance. Using a quantitative correlation-based approach, the research demonstrates that visual representation skills play an important role in supporting creative thinking processes and architectural design development while considering the context of architectural education. The full article can be accessed through the following link: https://journal.unwira.ac.id/index.php/ARTEKS/article/view/2841. read more

The Department of Architecture and Planning Engineering (DTAP), Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a Syawalan 1447 H gathering on Monday, March 30, 2026. The event commenced at 10:30 AM (WIB) at Pendopo Tedjo Suminto, DTAP FT UGM, serving as an important occasion to strengthen ties among the entire DTAP community.

The Syawalan was attended by various members of the DTAP academic community, ranging from department leadership to retired members and their families. Attendees included the Head and Secretary of the Department, Heads and Secretaries of Study Programs, active and retired academic staff, active and retired administrative staff, teaching assistants, as well as the extended DTAP family. This cross-generational presence reflects the strong sense of belonging and enduring familial bonds within DTAP. read more

The Urban and Regional Planning Program (PWK) at Universitas Gadjah Mada continues to equip students with awareness of current trends in spatial technology. In its latest guest lecture, PWK UGM invited Nugroho Purwono, M.URP., Junior Expert Researcher from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), to discuss the important topic “Spatial Big Data in Urban & Regional Planning: Data Analysis Methods and Techniques.”

Nugroho opened the session by explaining that approximately 80% of data produced by society today fundamentally contains spatial dimensions. This includes automatically attached coordinates (natively geocoded) from digital devices, as well as geographical metadata generated from daily activities and transactions. read more