JOHOR BAHRU, June 15 — Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) successfully hosted the 3rd International Urban Planning Conference (iNUPC) 2026, bringing together urban planning professionals, academics, government agencies, industry representatives and students to discuss strategies for building sustainable and resilient cities across Southeast Asia.

The conference was organised by students enrolled in the SBEW4293 Conference Planning course under the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU), UTM.

Held under the theme “Future-Proofing Cities in Southeast Asia through Sustainable and Adaptive Urban Growth,” the conference provided a platform for knowledge exchange on emerging urban challenges, including climate resilience, smart city development, sustainable mobility and inclusive urban growth.

The conference was further structured around six important sub-themes: Pathways to Net Zero and Climate-Resilient Futures, Smart Connectivity and Next-Generation Mobility, Cultural and Heritage Inclusion for Future Tourism, Human-Centric Urbanism and Community Well-Being, Equitable Housing and Inclusive Urban Regeneration, and Rural Empowerment and Regional Development.

The conference attracted 406 participants, comprising planners, academics, students, government officers and industry practitioners from Malaysia, Indonesia, Macau SAR and the Philippines. The strong participation reflects the growing importance of collaborative approaches in addressing contemporary urban challenges and advancing sustainable development agendas in the region.

The programme began with the welcoming speech delivered by Program Director of the 3rd International Urban Planning Conference (iNUPC) 2026, Muhammad Syahmi Wafiq Mohd Nadzie, followed by the opening remarks by Vice-Chancellor of UTM, Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim.

The conference was then officially officiated by the Chairman of the Johor Sustainability Centre (JSC), Datuk Seri Utama Ir. Hasni Mohammad. The keynote session was delivered by Director General of the Federal Department of Town and Country Planning (PLANMalaysia), and Adjunct Professor of UTM, Datuk TPr Dr. Alias Rameli.

The conference also featured expert sharing sessions by industry and regional urban development specialists. Drawing on perspectives from both industry and regional planning practice, the sessions emphasised the importance of smart infrastructure, integrated urban systems and adaptive planning approaches in addressing rapid urbanisation and sustainability concerns.

The presentations not only enriched participants’ understanding of current planning trends but also inspired students and young professionals to explore innovative, practical and future-oriented solutions for creating more resilient, liveable and sustainable cities.

One of the key highlights of iNUPC 2026 was the industry forum titled “Future Cities: Advancing Sustainability through Smart Solutions.” The forum brought together professional voices from planning, transport, property and smart city sectors to discuss how innovative urban solutions can support sustainability, mobility, liveability and long-term urban resilience.

The discussion encouraged participants to think critically about how smart technologies, data-driven planning and cross-sector collaboration can improve urban efficiency while balancing economic growth, environmental protection and community well-being.

One of the conference’s key achievements was its success in bridging academia and professional practice. Through expert forums, technical presentations and research showcases, participants explored innovative solutions for urban sustainability while strengthening networks across sectors and national boundaries.

The conference also provided a valuable learning platform for students, allowing them to engage directly with planning professionals and gain first-hand exposure to real-world urban development challenges. The conference further strengthened UTM’s strategic collaborations with government agencies, professional bodies, industry partners and international universities.

These partnerships contribute to the university’s commitment to producing future planners equipped with the knowledge, skills and professional networks required to address increasingly complex urban issues.

According to the Head of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Assoc. Prof. Dr. TPr Siti Hajar Misnan, the conference demonstrates how universities can serve as catalysts for meaningful dialogue and collaborative action towards sustainable urban development.

The event also showcased the capability of UTM students to successfully organise an international conference while contributing to professional discourse within the planning community.

The ceremony also celebrated outstanding contributions through several award categories, including Best Presenter, Best Presentation Video, Best Paper and Research, Best Presentation Poster and the Urban Visionary Excellence Award.

As the conference concluded, iNUPC 2026 reaffirmed UTM’s position as a leading institution in urban planning education and research. More importantly, it highlighted the collective responsibility of academia, government and industry to work together in creating cities that are resilient, inclusive and prepared for future generations.

iNUPC 2026 was made possible through strong institutional and professional collaboration. The conference was co-organised by the Centre for Innovative Planning and Development (CIPD) and UTM Urban and Regional Planning Students Association (PEWIBAWA). It was further supported through professional planning collaboration with PLANMalaysia and the Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP), as well as international academic collaboration with Universitas Hasanuddin (UNHAS) and Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS).

The event also received valuable support from its sponsors. The Emerald Sponsors were Perunding Ukurtanah Watan and Gemilang Engineering Sdn. Bhd. Meanwhile, the Gold Sponsors were VAR Consult, JS and JBK Town Planning Sdn. Bhd.