2nd International Urban Planning Conference 2025

Dr. Ak Mohd Rafiq Ak.matusin

JOHOR BAHRU, June 23 — The International Urban Planning Conference (iNUPC) 2025 was held in conjunction with the 28th National Urban Planning Conference (NUPC), organized by final-year students of the SBEW4293 Planning Conference course (4th Year, Department of Urban and Regional Planning), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The event was co-organised by Urban and Regional Planning Students Association (PEWIBAWA), Department of Town and Village Planning (PLANMalaysia), and Centre for Innovative Planning and Development (CIPD) UTM. In alignment with Malaysia’s chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit 2025, iNUPC 2025 adopted the theme “ASEAN Synergy for Collaborative Planning and Sustainable Growth,” setting the stage for engaging discussions across 6 sub-themes during the paper presentation sessions. The conference was officiated by Prof. Sr. Dr. Kherun Nita Ali, Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU), and featured a keynote address by Datuk TPr Dr. Alias Rameli, Director General of the Town and Country Planning Department, PLANMalaysia. The event was honoured to welcome participants from across the region, including Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, South Korea, China, and Timor-Leste.

Prof. Sr. Dr. Kherun Nita Ali, Dean of FABU, delivering the officiating speech

The official launch of the conference was marked by a powerful speech delivered by Prof. Sr. Dr. Kherun Nita. In her speech, she emphasized the importance of collaboration across nations and sectors in shaping a sustainable future. She spoke about the growing challenges in urban development and how the ASEAN region’s collective efforts can address these issues by working together. Her words set a strong foundation for the conference’s theme, urging participants to explore innovative and inclusive solutions that will drive sustainable urban development in both urban and rural areas. Prof. Sr. Dr. Kherun Nita also acknowledged the invaluable contributions of every participant, sponsor, and speaker, underscoring the critical role of academia and industry in fostering a collaborative approach to urban planning.

The opening speeches were delivered by Syahmi Amani, the Program Director of iNUPC 2025, who introduced the theme of the conference and emphasized the importance of cross-border collaboration among ASEAN nations to address the rapidly evolving urban challenges. His address underscored the collective need for innovative solutions to achieve sustainable urban growth in the region.

The official inauguration of the conference took place with a symbolic gesture. Professor Sr. Dr. Kherun Nita Ali, along with the VVIPs, activated a plasma ball to mark the beginning of the event.

The conference’s keynote speaker, Datuk TPr Dr. Alias Rameli delivered a thought-provoking keynote address on the evolving role of urban planning in Malaysia and ASEAN. His insightful and forward-looking speech set the tone for the discussions that followed.

One of the key highlights of the conference was the series of speaker sessions, where top urban planning experts and thought leaders shared their valuable insights. Notable speakers included Professor Dr. rer. nat. Imam Buchori, Chairman of the Accreditation Council of the National Accreditation Agency for Higher Education (BAN-PT), Indonesia, and Professor TPr Dr. Ho Chin Siong, Team Leader of Global Covenant of Mayors (GCOM) Malaysia. These experts highlighted the complexities and opportunities in integrating different perspectives, be it governmental, private sector, or academic, into effective urban planning strategies.

Speaker – Professor TPr Dr. Ho Chin Siong, Team Leader of GCOM Malaysia

Speaker – Professor Dr. rer. nat. Imam Buchori, Chairman of the Accreditation Council of the BAN-PT, Indonesia

One of the conference’s most highly anticipated segments was the Expert Talk session, which featured thought-provoking discussions on the theme “Lessons and Inspirations from Collaborative Planning in ASEAN.” Moderated by Professor Ts. Dr. Muhammad Zaly Shah Muhammad Hussein, Director of the Research Institute for Sustainable Environment (RISE), the expert talk explored the role of innovation and inclusive decision-making in achieving the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Panelists, including experts Djoko Prihanto, Singapore Institute of Planners; TPr Hj Md Nazri Mohd Noordin, Director of Iktisas Planners Sdn. Bhd.; and TPr Toh Lay See, Director of Corporate Division, PLANMalaysia, shares their views on how interdisciplinary collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and innovative urban policies can drive sustainable development in both urban and rural settings.

From left: Prof. Ts. Dr. Muhammad Zaly Shah (moderator), TPr Hj. Md Nazri Mohd Noordin, Djoko Prihanto, and TPr Toh Lay See during the Expert Talk session

Alongside the main sessions, the conference also featured a dynamic Poster Exhibition, where students and professionals showcased their research and innovative solutions to pressing urban challenges. The exhibition served as a platform for idea exchange and networking, allowing participants to engage with the latest developments in sustainable urban planning. Throughout the exhibition, participants had the opportunity to engage with research on topics such as resilient cities, green infrastructure, and smart urban mobility. The innovative ideas presented sparked meaningful discussions among attendees, encouraging collaborative thinking and the exploration of new opportunities for urban development. The conference centred around six key themes: Resilient and Sustainable Urban Development; Smart and Inclusive Cities for Collaborative Prosperity; Integrated and Sustainable Mobility; Equitable Housing, Public Health, and Social Well-being; Cultural Heritage Conservation and Sustainable Tourism; and Strategic Governance and Regional Collaboration. These themes underscored the importance of holistic, inclusive, and forward-thinking approaches to urban and regional planning across ASEAN.

As the day came to a close, the attendees gathered for the final remarks and the closing ceremony. Associate Professor TPr Dr. Siti Hajar Misnan, Director of the Urban and Regional Planning Programme at FABU, UTM, delivered a heartfelt closing speech, expressing gratitude to all those involved in making the conference a success. The closing ceremony culminated in the announcement of the top 5 best presenters for each subtheme, followed by the presentation of awards. The event concluded with the singing of the official UTM song, “Keunggulan Terbilang,” and a final photo session to commemorate the achievements of the conference.