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.
The World Planning Schools Congress (WPSC) is an international congress organized by the Global Planning Education Association Network (GPEAN), a global network that brings together planning education associations from across the world. The sixth edition of the congress was jointly hosted by Aalto University, the University of Helsinki, and Tampere University. The event attracted approximately 1,500 participants, including academics, students, researchers, and practitioners from various countries. Throughout the congress, participants engaged in a wide range of scientific sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and meetings of GPEAN member organizations, all aimed at strengthening collaboration and knowledge exchange in the field of planning.
Prof. Bobby’s participation in WPSC 2026 reflects the Urban and Regional Planning Study Program’s commitment at DTAP FT UGM to strengthening international academic networks and contributing to the advancement of planning education and scholarship at the global level. Active engagement in international forums such as WPSC is expected to foster research collaborations, support curriculum development, and encourage the exchange of ideas to address contemporary sustainable development challenges. In line with these objectives, the participation also contributes to the achievement of SDG 4: Quality Education by promoting international higher education collaboration, as well as SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities through the advancement of planning knowledge that supports the development of inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities and regions.
Reported by Rindi Dwi Cahyati
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SDG 4 – QUALITY EDUCATION
SDG 11 – SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES