Designing Sustainable Cities: UPJ Presents Social Design Expert Prof. Jian-Bang Deng from Taiwan

Bintaro, South Tangerang, July 28, 2025 – Universitas Pembangunan Jaya (UPJ) Hosts International Workshop on Social Design in Urban Contexts

Universitas Pembangunan Jaya (UPJ) recently convened an academic workshop entitled Social Design in Urban Context, featuring distinguished guest scholar Professor Jian-Bang Deng of Tamkang University, Taiwan. Conducted within UPJ’s Smart Classroom, the workshop functioned as a critical interdisciplinary platform to examine the strategic role of social design in addressing future urban challenges.

The workshop welcomed faculty members across diverse academic disciplines, as well as public participants representing various professional and cultural backgrounds. The session was moderated by Dr. Zaki Saptari Saldi, S.T., M.Eng., Head of the UPJ Center for Urban Studies and principal organizer of the event.

In his keynote address, Prof. Deng asserted that social design transcends aesthetic considerations, serving instead as a strategic methodology that foregrounds human-centric and socially responsive approaches to urban planning and innovation.

“Social design must be rooted in an in-depth understanding of community needs while anticipating the future. We must not only respond to present challenges but also proactively prepare for those arising over the next 10–20 years,” noted Prof. Deng.

Participants engaged in a theoretical and practical exploration of the distinction between design thinking, which tends to address immediate problems, and future thinking, which constructs long-term scenarios. Through case analyses and group dialogues, attendees developed foresight narratives that integrated the dynamics of future aspirations, present pressures, and historical legacies.

The discussions critically addressed systemic issues including climate change, constraints in urban space, social inequities, and disparities in access to healthcare and education. Collaborative group sessions facilitated the formulation of future-oriented scenarios that interlinked diverse urban and social dimensions.

Prof. Deng emphasized that effective social design must be grounded in principles of sustainability, social equity, and inclusive community engagement. He further highlighted the imperative of cross-disciplinary and intergenerational collaboration to generate evidence-informed and experience-based policy solutions.

Moreover, the workshop served as a conduit for cross-cultural exchange between Indonesia and Taiwan, fostering mutual learning and reinforcing UPJ’s commitment to global intellectual engagement. By advocating for people-centered policies and futures literacy, the event encouraged students to envision urban futures that are not only innovative but also inclusive, ethical, and transformative.

The workshop constituted one component of a two-day academic initiative on Social Design led by Prof. Deng. The program also included a seminar on People-Centered Policy at Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia on July 25, 2025, organized by the Atma Jaya Institute of Public Policy (AJIPP). This collaborative effort underscores UPJ’s role as a higher education institution dedicated to cultivating socially responsible and globally attuned graduates equipped to navigate the complexities of contemporary urbanization.

Author: Intan Rahmawati (NIM 2024041039) Editor: Muhammad Amas