JOHOR BAHRU, 23 June – The First International Urban Planning Conference (iNUPC), organized by fourth-year Urban and Regional Planning students, was held in a hybrid format to showcase their final year projects. This conference marks the continuation of the 26th National Urban Planning Conference 2023 (NUPC) at an international level. It was co-organized with the Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia), Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP), UTMAlumni, Centre for Innovative Planning and Development (CIPD), Urban and Regional Planning Student Association (PEWIBAWA), and Himpunan Mahasiswa Teknik Planologi from Universitas Diponegoro.
The conference’s main theme, “Advancing Inclusion and Innovation for Sustainable Development Planning,” aims to create new opportunities for students, researchers, practitioners, and industry professionals in urban and regional planning, focusing on urban sustainability within the Malaysia MADANI framework. iNUPC2024 facilitates knowledge and strategy exchange across multiple fields and promotes innovative approaches and best practices in urban planning through collaboration and intellectual exchanges. Participants engaged in substantive discussions, presenting research findings and exploring new ideas for inclusive and resilient urban development.
A total of 269 participants attended the conference, including 92 undergraduate students from Urban and Regional Planning, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), 13 postgraduate students from Urban and Regional Planning UTM, 14 UTM lecturers, 23 participants from international universities, 13 participants from Malaysian universities, and 50 guests, including government agencies and sponsors. The conference began with a welcoming speech from YBrs. Prof. Sr. Dr. Kherun Nita bte Ali, Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU), UTM, followed by a speech from YBhg. Prof. Datuk Ir. Ts. Ahmad Fauzi bin Ismail, Vice Chancellor of UTM.
Special guests, including Emeritus Professor YBhg. Prof. Emeritus Dr. Noor Sharipah Sultan Sidi from UTM, Vice President of the Malaysian Institute of Planners YBrs. TPr Abdul Hamid bin Akub, and Director of CIPD YBrs. Prof. TPr Dr. Hairul Nizam bin Ismail, attended the conference.
YBhg. Adjunct Professor Datuk TPr Dr. Alias bin Rameli, Director General of PLANMalaysia, delivered the inaugural and keynote speeches on “Empowering Futures: Collaboration and Partnership for Inclusive and Innovative Sustainable Development,” comprehensively covering urban planning issues.
The conference proceeded with a high-level panel discussion on “Planning Education and Practice in Times of Uncertainty: Strengthening Fundamentals, Pushing Boundaries.” Professor TPr Dr. Amran bin Hamzah, a Professor of the Urban and Regional Planning program, moderated the session. The panel members were TPr Toh Lay See, Director of Corporate Office PLANMalaysia, TPr Ts. Norliza binti Hashim, Chief Executive of Urbanice Malaysia, and TPr Ahmad Jefri Clyde, Director of AJC Planning Consultants.
Exhibitions from the Town and Country Planning Department of Putrajaya, the Johor state branch, and PEWIBAWA showcased urban planning results. Program participants could learn about the products offered by the exhibitors.
The iNUPC 2024 event featured a poster presentation session encompassing five themes: Pathways to Environmental Dynamics and Nature Conservation, Innovative Urban Planning for Building Smart and Resilient Cities, Strategic Approaches for Sustainable Rural and Regional Development, Regenerative Tourism for Sustainable Future Development, and Navigating the Future Towards Sustainable Transportation. Each participant presented their final year project findings to experts and practitioners.
Five Best Poster Awards were given based on subthemes, along with one People’s Choice Award. The winners were:
‘Innovative Urban Planning for Building Smart and Resilient Cities’ won by Ayubella Anggraini Leksono from Institut Teknologi Bandung
‘Strategic Approaches for Sustainable Rural and Regional Development’ won by Nor Syalwanis binti Mohd Saad from UTM
‘Regenerative Tourism for Sustainable Future Development’ won by Leow Hui Qing from UTM
‘Navigating the Future towards Sustainable Transportation’ won by Anis Fatinah binti Noor Azhar from UTM
‘Pathways to Environmental Dynamics and Nature Conservation’ won by Ag Mohd Izzuddin bin Ag Abu Bakar from Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) and The People’s Choice Award was won by Audrey Anak Osman from UTM.
YBrs. Prof. Ts Dr. Muhammad Zaly Shah Muhammad Hussein, Vice Dean of Research, Innovation, and Development at FABU, UTM, presented all the awards. The Town and Country Planning Department, practitioners, and researchers responded positively to the conference, underscoring its success.
