SEAUS 2023 International Scientific Conference: Urban design solutions in Southeast Asia towards solving the problem of global warming

It is the climate change that reflects long-term changes in temperature and weather phenomena. These changes are natural; nevertheless, human impact, since the 1800s, has been a major driver of climate change; one of the "irreversible" problems of the past centuries is global warming. With the desire to join hands to solve this problem, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City has collaborated with KU Leuven University (Belgium) and Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture to organize the SEAUS 2023 International Scientific Conference with “Urban design solutions in Southeast Asia towards solving the problem of global warming” Theme.

The international scientific conference South East Asian Urbanisms to address Global Warming (SEAUS) 2023 - “Urban design solutions in Southeast Asia to solve problems in Southeast Asia towards solving the problem of global warming” is the annual regional conference in in the field of architecture, urban planning and development by the UEH Academy for Technology and Design under the corporation among the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), KU Leuven Research University (Belgium), University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City (UAH) together with other domestic and foreign units with the desire of creating an international scientific forum so as to exchange and to propose new initiatives in the field of urban design and planning in Southeast Asia with the purpose of improving the problem of global warming caused by the speed of urbanization and modernization.

Overview of the Conference at UEH

Speaking at the Conference, Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - President of UEH - stated: “As one of the leading prestigious Universities in Vietnam, UEH clearly understands our role in the journey of comprehensive educational development, multidisciplinary integration, and links with other communities and societies so as to join hands to address global challenges for sustainable action. Together with the International Center for Urban: Settlement and Environment under the Faculty of Architecture, KU Leuven University (Belgium) and the International Training Institute of the University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City (UAH), UEH - ISCM co-organized this event, the first South East Asian Urbanisms Conference (SEAUS), and jointly finding the solutions to harmoniously integrate urban architecture with nature and with the rich landscape structures of the region as well as the ways to approach new approach appropriate to the urban context towards addressing the enormous socio-ecological challenges ahead”.

Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - President of UEH – was sharing

The first SEAUS Conference, taking place on May 29th and 30th, 2023 at University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City and University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, gathered the diverse prestigious and influential speakers in the field of architecture and planning from various countries around the world (Belgium, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Cambodia, Thailand and so on) as well as hundreds of researchers and experts in the same industry towards discussing the following 3 topics:

 Water urbanism: Focusing on solving local flooding, reducing groundwater resources, improving water pollution and the lack of water-related landscape spaces in urban areas.

 Forest urbanism: Focusing on maintaining a close and intimate relationship, people living in harmony with nature in the urban environment, with the special emphasis on the importance of trees and natural forests in residential areas, contributing to improving the space and improving the quality of people’ residence.

 Urban countryside/rural metropolis: Putting the emphasis on preserving the identity, tradition, and character of each area.

What is more special, on the day of the Seminar at UEH – on May 30th, 2023, three speakers who are leading professors in these fields are to present as follows:

• Professor Tay Kheng Soon, Singapore: Being an architect in Singapore and currently a professor at the National University of Singapore; Being the co-founder of the Singapore Urban and Planning Research Group - the organization that pioneered many planning concepts and new development, making a great contribution to the development of Singapore.

• Professor Terdsak Tachakitkachorn, Thailand: Being Head of Creative Architecture Research for the Community, Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. He received his Bachelor of Engineering (Architecture), Master of Engineering (Architecture) and Ph.D title from Kobe University, Japan. He is an expert in Chao Phraya River Delta, urban and community improvement, new indigenous design and construction, and sustainable smart living.

• Architects Eko Prawoto, Indonesia: Being a Bachelor of Architecture at Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia and Master of Architecture at Berlage Academy, Amsterdam. Since 1985, he has been a lecturer in the Faculty of Architecture and Design at the Catholic University of Duta Wacana, Indonesia. He is an expert in the field of installation art, community art in diverse different countries.

Speakers presenting at the conference

Within the framework of the conference, the speakers shared the researches and the initiatives aimed at preserving and enhancing indigenousness in design as well as the solutions to harmoniously integrate architecture with social and cultural contexts and the environment so as to improve lives and to bring sustainable values to the community.

It can be affirmed that the SEAUS 2023 workshop has successfully spread knowledge and shared research results; promoting cooperation and linkage between domestic and foreign scientific communities in the field of architecture, design and urban planning; providing an opportunity for scholars, experts, scientists and businesses to discuss potential solutions to the problems of urbanization in Southeast Asia.

During the journey towards becoming a Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) has constantly expanded domestic and international cooperation through promoting cooperation in training, organizing international scientific conferences, integrating the university community in the world, resulting in the transferring knowledge for community. It is the success of this Conference South East Asian Urbanisms to address Global Warming 2023 that has proved this effort.

More photos about the Conference: