JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 31 – Urban exploration became a collective experience in Johor Bahru as architecture students, built environment professionals, local authorities and members of the public came together through [SA]KOTA: Satu Kota, Pelbagai Suara (One City, Many Voices). Through guided urban trails and participatory mapping, the initiative brought different perspectives into a shared understanding of the city, connecting architectural learning with the experiences and aspirations of its people.

The inaugural [SA]KOTA took place on 31 October 2026 at Hutan Bandar Johor Bahru, in conjunction with PAM Southern Chapter (PAMSo) Talk & Tour 2026, themed “MBJB DNA: Where Next-Gen Public Spaces & Placemaking Come Alive”. Developed through a collaboration between PAMSo, Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), the initiative was driven by a central idea: understanding a city requires not only observing its physical environment, but also listening to the people who experience it.

Curated by Senior Lecturer Ar. Norshahida Azili of UTM’s Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU), [SA]KOTA introduced a participatory dimension to the Talk & Tour format.

Through Urban Detective, participants explored three urban trails covering Segget–Trus, Lumba Kuda–R&F and Hutan Bandar–Tunku Mahkota Ismail Youth Centre (TMIYC), observing how connectivity, public spaces and everyday activities influence urban experiences.

These observations became the starting point for Suara Bandar, where participants shared their preferences and aspirations through participatory mapping, highlighting how different people perceive and experience the same urban environment.

This participatory approach also introduced an additional dimension to urban design education, engaging 20 Master of Architecture students enrolled in MBEA1223 Urbanism at UTM. By supporting the preparation and facilitation of engagement activities, students had the opportunity to connect spatial analysis with the lived experiences and perspectives of city users. The experience brought academic inquiry into dialogue with professional knowledge and public participation, reinforcing the importance of listening as well as observing in urban design.

Beyond the physical activities, [SA]KOTA embraced creative storytelling through an original theme song, [SA]KOTA, accompanied by an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted music film featuring Ismet, a fictional AI-created artist. Inspired by Satu Kota, Pelbagai Suara, the production translated everyday urban experiences and collective belonging into a musical narrative, extending the programme’s identity and message beyond conventional architectural communication.

Supported by industry collaborators Kuraray and AT Group, [SA]KOTA established a foundation for continued exchange between academia, professional bodies, local authorities and the wider community. The initiative will continue with [SA]KOTA Siri 2: Urban Conjecture on 28 November 2026, where observations and public perspectives gathered during the inaugural programme will inform further urban exploration and precinct-level design thinking within the Master of Architecture Urbanism studio.

More than a one-day programme, [SA]KOTA marks the beginning of a continuing dialogue between those who study the city, those who shape it and those who live it. Its message is simple: the future of a city should not be imagined without listening to the people who give it life.

 

Official Link: ISMET — [SA]KOTA | Official Music Film