Chula Hosts “Urban Resilience Forum 2025” to Drive Flexible and Sustainable Urban Development  

The Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, in collaboration with the Urban Renaissance Agency (UR), organized the Urban Resilience Forum 2025 under the theme “Overcoming Vulnerabilities Toward Resilient and Sustainable Cities” on August 19, 2025, at True Icon Hall, ICONSIAM. 

The event was presided over by Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok; H.E. Masato Otaka, Ambassador of Japan to Thailand; Mr. Masaru Ishida, President of the Urban Renaissance Agency (UR); Asst. Prof. Sarayut Supsook, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, along with experts and specialists from various fields participating. 

The Urban Resilience Forum 2025 served as a platform for discussions and knowledge exchange among national and international experts to explore new perspectives on sustainable urban development. During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed to advance research, design, and urban development in Thailand to prepare for future challenges, including natural disasters, climate change, an aging society, and economic growth. 

Prof. Dr. Wilert emphasized that Chulalongkorn University, through its Faculty of Architecture, has long been dedicated to urban development to improve people’s quality of life. The collaboration between Chula and UR marks a historic milestone in integrating the expertise of both countries to create practical mechanisms for urban development. 

“Urban development today must go beyond physical infrastructure to enhance the quality of life for people living in cities. With systematic planning and collaboration across all sectors, we can create cities where citizens live happily, enjoy a good quality of life, and remain competitive globally. This collaboration is a crucial starting point for advancing joint knowledge and technology between Thailand and Japan,” said Prof. Dr. Wilert. 

Mr. Masaru Ishida, President of UR, noted that UR has carried out over 500 urban development projects in Japan, delivering more than 1.5 million housing units, developing Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) areas, and leading large-scale post-disaster recovery initiatives. This partnership with Chulalongkorn University marks the first time UR has collaborated with an overseas university. He expressed hopes of applying Japanese knowledge and lessons to Thailand to help create resilient and sustainable cities for the future. 

Bangkok Governor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chadchart Sittipunt highlighted the importance of earthquake preparedness and broader urban resilience strategies. He pointed out that cities today face increasingly complex crises—floods, pandemics, earthquakes, economic uncertainties, and aging populations—all requiring flexible and adaptive solutions. He stressed that resilience depends on collaboration among government, private sector, civil society, and academia. 

For Asst. Prof. Sarayut Supsook, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Chula, a “Resilient City” is one that is prepared to adapt to both short- and long-term changes and challenges. Rapid urban expansion often reduces resilience, making cities more vulnerable to disasters, as evidenced by recent earthquakes that paralyzed transport systems and caused widespread disruption. He emphasized that Japan’s proven mechanisms, knowledge, and institutions for urban management could greatly benefit Thailand through this collaboration. 

“Japan’s success in developing key transport hubs into highly efficient urban areas is a model. In Thailand, areas like Bang Sue and Makkasan already have potential for such development. Together with UR, Chula has also planned a pilot project around the Chula campus, which serves as a suitable testbed. If successful, this initiative can become a model for other parts of Thailand, improving land use, enhancing mobility, raising quality of life, and driving economic growth,” said Asst. Prof. Sarayut. 

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