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

The Undergraduate Program in Urban and Regional Planning (PWK), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), reaffirmed its commitment to delivering globally standardized education through the ASIIN re-accreditation site visit held on February 11–12, 2026. The visit was conducted by ASIIN (Akkreditierungsagentur für Studiengänge der Ingenieurwissenschaften, der Informatik, der Naturwissenschaften und der Mathematik), an independent German accreditation agency.

This visit marked an important moment for the study program to reflect on its educational quality and institutional performance. The assessment team consisted of Prof. Dr. Frank Schwartze, Prof. Dr. Detlef Kurth, Dr. Hendricus Andy Simarmata, Aurelia Nadya Utomo, and Tamina Renner, M.A. read more

The Undergraduate Program in Urban and Regional Planning (PWK), Universitas Gadjah Mada, once again held a guest lecture focusing on the spatial dynamics of Magelang Regency. The session featured Dhanik Ernawati, S.T., M.Eng., an expert from the Regional Development Planning, Research, and Development Agency (BAPPEDA & LITBANGDA) of Magelang Regency. She delivered a presentation titled “Spatial Planning for Enhancing the Competitiveness of Magelang Regency”.

In her presentation, Ms. Dhanik elaborated on the latest spatial policy direction formalized through Regional Regulation No. 7 of 2024 on the 2024–2044 Spatial Plan (RTRW) of Magelang Regency. Often described as a “water bowl” due to its topographical form, Magelang Regency exhibits diverse spatial potentials. The western and northern mountainous areas are designated for agriculture and nature-based tourism, while the central region serves as a hub for trade and industrial activities. Meanwhile, the eastern areas are identified for C-class mining activities. This spatial framework is designed to support the regency’s vision of being safe, comfortable, religious, competitive, and prosperous. read more

On this occasion, the Undergraduate Program in Urban and Regional Planning (PWK), Universitas Gadjah Mada, invited Dr. Yetty Setiyaningsih, S.P., M.Eng., Head of the Economic, Infrastructure, and Regional Division of Magelang City, as a guest lecturer. She delivered a presentation titled “Understanding Magelang City: Profile and Current Spatial Issues.”

In her presentation, Dr. Yetty highlighted various development dynamics and spatial challenges currently faced by Magelang City. With a relatively small area of approximately 18.56 square kilometers, the city is confronted with limited land availability, which has driven a high rate of land-use conversion. One of the key issues discussed was the threat to urban food security due to declining agricultural productivity. This is further exacerbated by the conversion of Protected Rice Fields (Lahan Sawah yang Dilindungi/LSD), of which around 34.59% have already been transformed into built-up and other land uses. read more

The Community Service Team – Building Technology Research Group, Architecture Study Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Yogyakarta, in collaboration with the Gedongkiwo Tourism Awareness Group (Kelompok Sadar Wisata/Pokdarwis), conducted a Tourism Planning Program for Gedongkiwo Urban Village, Mantrijeron District, Yogyakarta City in 2025. This activity aimed to encourage the development of community- and culture-based urban tourism through a sustainable spatial planning and architectural approach. read more

The cool atmosphere of the slopes of Mount Andong in Girirejo Village, Ngablak District, Magelang Regency, now offers more than just the beautiful scenery typical of mountainous areas. Over the past few years, this area has also become a living laboratory for a team of lecturers from the Architectural Design Expertise Group, Department of Architecture and Planning Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada, who have consistently accompanied the local community in developing sustainable, community-based tourism potential. This community service program, which has been running since 2022, has now entered its fourth year of implementation. read more

Prof. Ir. Bakti Setiawan, M.A., Ph.D., widely known as Prof. Bobi, an academic in Urban and Regional Planning at the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada, served as a speaker in the talkshow “Ruang-Ruang yang Menginspirasi” on Thursday, 18 December 2025. The event was held at the RBTV Jogja Studio, Universitas AMIKOM Yogyakarta. The talkshow provided a public forum to discuss spatial planning issues and the development of strategic areas in the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

The discussion focused on the role of Strategic Spatial Units (Satuan Ruang Strategis/SRS) in preserving and strengthening the distinctiveness of Yogyakarta, particularly from a regional planning perspective. SRS were positioned as important instruments that integrate philosophical, historical, customary, social, and environmental aspects in spatial management. This approach underscores the importance of aligning cultural values with regional development needs. read more

Yogyakarta, 31 October 2025 – The Undergraduate Program of Urban and Regional Planning (PWK), Universitas Gadjah Mada, once again held a guest lecture entitled “Towards Sustainable Industrial Areas: Concepts, Governance, and Development Strategies of the Batang Integrated Industrial Estate (KIT Batang).” The lecture was conducted offline and was open to the public at the DTAP Building, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Beyond a conventional guest lecture, the event was also conducted in collaboration with the Student Association of Urban and Regional Planning Engineering (HMTPWK) UGM as part of the Company Visit x Industrial Estate Planning Course. read more

Yogyakarta, 28 October 2025 – In this edition, the Department of Urban and Regional Planning (PWK), Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a guest lecture entitled “Property Market Research.” The lecture was conducted offline at the Department of Architecture and Planning Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The event featured Nurul Soraya Desi Yonasari, Senior Researcher at Colliers Indonesia, as the guest speaker.

In this guest lecture, Nurul Soraya delivered a comprehensive discussion on property market research, with a particular focus on the hospitality sector. The session began with a fundamental understanding of hotels, covering classifications based on star ratings and travel purposes, as well as an introduction to hotel chains and branding concepts. read more

In the spirit of welcoming the new academic year 2025/2026, the Undergraduate Architecture Program held an Archilecture session on Friday, September 12, 2025, featuring Andy Fisher Workshop (AFW) from Singapore. The event carried the theme “Nature, Nurture, & Narrative: Designing Hotels with People and Place in Mind.” AFW was represented by Radhi Maulanza, Associate at AFW. The session took place in Room K1, Department of Architecture and Planning, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada. read more