+84 28 3930 9589
SEAUS 2.0 - CULTURE IN THE TRANSITION PROCESS: URBANIZATION AND LANDSCAPE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
From June 11 to 14, 2025, the SEAUS 2.0 (Southeast Asian Urbanisms Seminar 2.0) international workshop took place in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The workshop included academic exchanges in the fields of urbanism, landscape, and culture in the context of Southeast Asia's transformation under the influence of globalization and climate change. The program was organized by Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University in collaboration with KU Leuven (Belgium) and the ICFU – Interdisciplinary Cooperation for Future Urbanisms network, with participation from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) and various universities, researchers, and experts from several countries in the Southeast Asian region.
Overview of the Southeast Asian Urbanisms Seminar 2.0
SEAUS - Southeast Asia Urbanisms Seminars is a series of international scientific workshops aimed at promoting connection, sharing, and knowledge transfer among scholars and interdisciplinary experts in urban planning, design, architecture, urban history, and heritage in the Southeast Asian region. The seminar was initiated by KU Leuven (Belgium) and is hosted every two years by universities from the Southeast Asian region. In 2023, SEAUS 1, themed “Urban Design Solutions in Southeast Asia to Address Global Warming,” was a resounding success, co-organized by KU Leuven, the Smart Urban Management Institute - University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture.
Building on this success, the SEAUS 2.0 workshop focused on the theme “Culture in Transition: Urbanization and Landscape in Southeast Asia.” This theme addresses the transformation of landscapes, urban areas, and indigenous cultures in the face of urbanization, environmental change, and globalization through interdisciplinary studies. SEAUS 2.0 was hosted by Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University, in collaboration with KU Leuven (Belgium) and the ICFU network, along with Southeast Asian universities and international partners. Representing Vietnam, the workshop featured participation from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (represented by the Smart Urban Management Institute), Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture, and Hanoi University of Civil Engineering. The program also included co-organization by partners in ISCM's international network, including the Faculty of Design at Thammasat University and Universitas Ngurah Rai (Indonesia).
The workshop was divided into three different programs: First, the main seminar was held from June 11 to 13, 2025, featuring presentations from scholars, architects, and experts from various fields; next, a workshop specifically for PhD candidates took place on the third day (June 13, 2025); finally, a field survey program on the fourth day (June 14, 2025) allowed participants to visit local cultural and urban areas in Yogyakarta.
Field Survey on the Fourth Day (June 14, 2025)
The workshop featured the direct participation of leading professors and experts in the field. Representing the organizing committee, the workshop included contributions from Dr. Catharina Depari (Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University), Prof. Kelly Shannon (KU Leuven), and Prof. Dorothy Tang (National University of Singapore). Additionally, experts from Southeast Asian countries included Prof. Victoria Marshall (National University of Singapore), Dr. B. Sumardiyanto (Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University), Prof. Grace Ramos (University of the Philippines), architects Yori Antar, Sofian Sibarani, and finally, Dr. Huỳnh Văn Khang (lecturer at the Smart Urban Management Institute, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City), representing Vietnam, who shared insights on indigenous architecture in the Mekong Delta. Furthermore, the scientific council of the workshop included Assoc. Prof. Trịnh Tú Anh (Director of the Smart Urban Management Institute, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City).
University Representatives Presenting at the Workshop
Human-Centered Design: A Foundation for Sustainable Architectural Design
Participating in SEAUS 2.0 as a member of the Scientific Council and keynote speaker, Dr. Huỳnh Văn Khang presented on “Indigenous Housing Landscapes in the Mekong Delta,” sharing insights on understanding original forms and the diversity of local architectural variants as an important issue, thereby inheriting lessons that serve as a foundation for design linked to sustainable development.
Dr. Huỳnh Văn Khang's presentation delved into the formation and transformation of indigenous housing spaces among the Kinh, Hoa, Khmer, and Cham ethnic groups. When placed in a specific context, facing direct challenges from urbanization, the indigenous architectures of the Mekong Delta become valuable practical references. This serves as a “library” of experiences from previous generations regarding suitable architectural designs that harmoniously adapt to the climate (sun, wind, heat, etc.) of the region. This knowledge can be seen as the starting point for Passive Design Architecture, which Dr. Huỳnh Văn Khang is researching and applying in current architectural projects.
Discussion Session of the Workshop
Dr. Huỳnh Văn Khang shared about “Indigenous Housing Landscapes in the Mekong Delta” during the opening session of the workshop.
Dr. Huỳnh Văn Khang in his role on the Scientific Council.
Dr. Huỳnh Văn Khang's research is part of one of the five research pillars of ISCM - Glocal Design. This pillar emphasizes the combination of local context and global perspectives in urban planning and development, focusing on the sustainability and resilience of urban areas as well as smart housing.
Discussion Session with Dr. Huỳnh Văn Khang and Prof. Victoria Marshall from the National University of Singapore, moderated by Assoc. Prof. Le Anh Duc (Van Lang University)
Notably, SEAUS 2.0 also provided an opportunity for the international expert network connected by ISCM to gather, featuring the presence of Prof. Kelly Shannon from KU Leuven; Dr. Nguyễn Quốc Vinh from the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology; Prof. Bruno De Meulder from KU Leuven; Dr. Adrian Yat Wai Lo from Thammasat University; Assoc. Prof. Pawinee Iamtrakul from the Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Thammasat University, along with Universitas Ngurah Rai (Bali) and KU Leuven (Belgium), who have accompanied ISCM on the journey to promote urban development and build a healthy, sustainable academic environment.
SEAUS 2.0 is not only a gathering place for scholars, researchers, and experts from Southeast Asia and Europe but also a rich academic space that promotes interdisciplinary dialogue on architecture, urbanism, and culture. UEH-ISCM is honored to accompany Vietnamese universities to mark the presence of Vietnamese academia in the journey towards smart and sustainable urban development in the region.
With a research foundation in its activities, ISCM continuously contributes new perspectives, exemplified by Dr. Huỳnh Văn Khang's presentation on “Indigenous Housing Landscapes in the Mekong Delta,” an approach deeply rooted in local identity in a region undergoing significant transformation.
News and photos: Smart Urban Management Institute (ISCM) and ISCM Communications Department.