SDG11
29th National Land Planning Forum Explores Smart Tech in Urban-Rural Development
The Department of Urban Planning at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) and the NCKU Research and Development Foundation held the 29th National Land Planning Forum on April 19, 2025, at the Department of Urban Planning. The theme of the forum was "Future Urban and Rural Areas × New Perspectives: Land and Spatial Planning under the Trends of Smart Technology," which responds to the country's direction in national land planning under the policy of promoting a new Silicon Valley in the southern region for balanced regional development. Dr. Jenn-Gang Su, Executive Deputy Director-General of the National Science and Technology Council, delivered a special keynote speech. Numerous scholars and experts in spatial planning, transportation, and information technology gathered to engage in in-depth exchanges and discussions, collectively stimulating diverse viewpoints.
The event kicked off with speeches from Wei-Cheng Lo, Secretary General of the Department of Urban Planning at NCKU, and Yaw-Shyan Tsay, Vice Dean of the College of Planning and Design. Dr. Jenn-Gang Su, Executive Deputy Director-General of the National Science and Technology Council, then delivered a keynote speech titled "Land and Spatial Planning under the Trends of Smart Technology: Promoting the New Silicon Valley in the Southern Region." In his speech, he mentioned that with the changes in social structure and technological advancements, artificial intelligence will be widely applied in spatial planning and drive productivity upgrades. Digital transformation and net-zero transformation have become key factors in the dual-axis upgrading of industries, leading the development of regions and living circles. The "New Silicon Valley in the Southern Region" aims to foster balanced and resilient growth in Southern Taiwan through talent cultivation, net-zero transformation, and cultural context, positioning Taiwan as a globally competitive "Island of Artificial Intelligence." This speech then opened the main theme forum for a roundtable discussion.
The keynote forum was moderated by Distinguished Research Fellow Feng-Tyan Lin of the NCKU Research and Development Foundation. Panel participants included Dr. Jenn-Gang Su, Executive Deputy Director-General of the National Science and Technology Council; Chien-Yuan Lin, Honorary President of the Foundation of Urban Development and Environmental Education; Wen-te Chang, Deputy Mayor of Taipei City Government; Yen-Hung Chou, Deputy General Manager of THI Consultants Inc.; and Professor Hsun-Ping Hsieh from the Department of Electrical Engineering at NCKU. Together, they engaged in a dialogue focused on aligning industrial development with smart trends to achieve sustainable development. The discussion aimed to build a shared vision across sectors, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and work collectively toward resilient cities characterized by low carbon, net-zero emissions, and smart technologies.
The afternoon sessions focused on deepening professional knowledge in planning and enhancing talent cultivation. A series of academic paper presentations on topics related to spatial and national land planning were arranged, providing a platform for the exchange of research findings. These sessions collectively centered on achieving integrated spatial governance that blends social and cultural dimensions, environmental sustainability, and technological innovation, with a shared commitment to shaping a resilient-oriented vision for sustainable and smart urban-rural development.
In addition, the “Planning Career Sharing Session” brought together experienced professionals from various sectors across the country to engage in face-to-face dialogue with young students. These experts shared their career journeys and insights on industry trends, offering valuable guidance for future career development. This event not only fostered intergenerational dialogue but also contributed to shaping forward-looking educational approaches and policy planning. It helped build a consensus among government, academia, industry, and research sectors on the development of the planning profession, laying a solid foundation for cultivating talent with both international vision and local practice capabilities.
In response to the evolving landscape of national land planning, technological advancement, and industrial policy, the Department of Urban Planning at NCKU established the “National Land Planning Forum” in 1996. Now in its 29th consecutive year, the forum serves as a platform for sharing research and practical experience within the field of spatial planning. Staying true to its founding mission, the forum provides participants with opportunities to engage in dialogue on key issues in national land planning, offering policy recommendations for spatial planning and management, and helping to shape the future direction of national spatial planning policies.
The event kicked off with speeches from Wei-Cheng Lo, Secretary General of the Department of Urban Planning at NCKU, and Yaw-Shyan Tsay, Vice Dean of the College of Planning and Design. Dr. Jenn-Gang Su, Executive Deputy Director-General of the National Science and Technology Council, then delivered a keynote speech titled "Land and Spatial Planning under the Trends of Smart Technology: Promoting the New Silicon Valley in the Southern Region." In his speech, he mentioned that with the changes in social structure and technological advancements, artificial intelligence will be widely applied in spatial planning and drive productivity upgrades. Digital transformation and net-zero transformation have become key factors in the dual-axis upgrading of industries, leading the development of regions and living circles. The "New Silicon Valley in the Southern Region" aims to foster balanced and resilient growth in Southern Taiwan through talent cultivation, net-zero transformation, and cultural context, positioning Taiwan as a globally competitive "Island of Artificial Intelligence." This speech then opened the main theme forum for a roundtable discussion.
The keynote forum was moderated by Distinguished Research Fellow Feng-Tyan Lin of the NCKU Research and Development Foundation. Panel participants included Dr. Jenn-Gang Su, Executive Deputy Director-General of the National Science and Technology Council; Chien-Yuan Lin, Honorary President of the Foundation of Urban Development and Environmental Education; Wen-te Chang, Deputy Mayor of Taipei City Government; Yen-Hung Chou, Deputy General Manager of THI Consultants Inc.; and Professor Hsun-Ping Hsieh from the Department of Electrical Engineering at NCKU. Together, they engaged in a dialogue focused on aligning industrial development with smart trends to achieve sustainable development. The discussion aimed to build a shared vision across sectors, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and work collectively toward resilient cities characterized by low carbon, net-zero emissions, and smart technologies.
The afternoon sessions focused on deepening professional knowledge in planning and enhancing talent cultivation. A series of academic paper presentations on topics related to spatial and national land planning were arranged, providing a platform for the exchange of research findings. These sessions collectively centered on achieving integrated spatial governance that blends social and cultural dimensions, environmental sustainability, and technological innovation, with a shared commitment to shaping a resilient-oriented vision for sustainable and smart urban-rural development.
In addition, the “Planning Career Sharing Session” brought together experienced professionals from various sectors across the country to engage in face-to-face dialogue with young students. These experts shared their career journeys and insights on industry trends, offering valuable guidance for future career development. This event not only fostered intergenerational dialogue but also contributed to shaping forward-looking educational approaches and policy planning. It helped build a consensus among government, academia, industry, and research sectors on the development of the planning profession, laying a solid foundation for cultivating talent with both international vision and local practice capabilities.
In response to the evolving landscape of national land planning, technological advancement, and industrial policy, the Department of Urban Planning at NCKU established the “National Land Planning Forum” in 1996. Now in its 29th consecutive year, the forum serves as a platform for sharing research and practical experience within the field of spatial planning. Staying true to its founding mission, the forum provides participants with opportunities to engage in dialogue on key issues in national land planning, offering policy recommendations for spatial planning and management, and helping to shape the future direction of national spatial planning policies.
Group Photo of the National Land Planning Forum Conference
Opening Remarks by Chief Secretary Wei-Cheng Lo
Keynote Speech by Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Jenn-Gang Su of the National Science and Technology Council
Presentation of the Research Paper
