Dual Speaker Panel

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Two professionals will present contrasting perspectives on diversity and equity, illustrating how academia, government, and industry each contribute to shaping urban environments, all within the larger framework of society and environmental sustainability.

• Academia: This segment highlights the role of universities in generating knowledge and fostering innovation for sustainable urban planning. We will explore how academic research collaborates with local actors and global networks to address societal challenges such as water management and environmental resilience. The case of Indonesia will be used to contrast local research partnerships with larger academic frameworks. 

• Governance: Governmental organisations play a key role in implementing policies and strategies that impact society and the environment. In this session, we will explore two perspectives on how governmental practices shape the urban environment: a small-scale community-focused approach from Colombia’s informal settlements and a larger-scale, government-funded municipal organisation in Vienna. This discussion will highlight how policies can either integrate or overlook marginalized communities and ecological considerations. 

• Practice: In the final segment, we will examine how industry and professional practice contribute to urban design and development. This includes the roles of private urban planning firms and architecture offices, both of which must balance economic objectives with social equity and environmental sustainability. The contrasting approaches will feature a firm working on regional and municipal scales using conventional design methodologies and a community-based architectural practice that prioritizes local knowledge and resource use. 

• Open Discussion

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World Café

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A smaller, focused discussion format where students will explore the presented perspectives in depth. Here, they will critically discuss how academia, government, and industry must work within the broader societal and environmental context to create sustainable and equitable urban solutions.