URBANovation Jakarta

Project Name

URBANovation Jakarta 2025 Event

Project Date

2025

Affiliation

Young Urbanists of Southeast Asia

Team

Joshua VARGAS, Co-Organiser and Speaker
Azka Guinawan HANIFA, Programme Manager and Speaker
Yusril NURHIDAYAT, Co-Organiser and Speaker
Hansen WIGUNA, YUSEA Co-President and Speaker
Kanesia T., Communications Director
Rabiatul Adawiyah Mohamad AKBAL, Operations Director

Joshua's Contribution

Management: event coordination, stakeholder liaison
Design: event collaterals
  • Participant Input
  • Participatory Workshop
  • Event
  • Community Engagement
  • Youth Empowerment
  • Southeast Asia
  • ur-scape

The URBANovation 2025 youth engagement event in Jakarta, organized by the Young Urbanists of Southeast Asia, brought together some of Indonesia’s most dynamic emerging urban leaders for YUSEA’s first in-person gathering of the year.

report

Inspired by URBANovation, the podcast on innovative urban solutions in Asian cities co-hosted by Joshua Vargas and YUSEA co-founder Dang-Dao Nguyen, what began as a small idea exchanged in a group chat rapidly evolved into two simultaneous events in Jakarta and Beijing, each convening local specialists in smart cities, placemaking, and regenerative design alongside young practitioners and researchers.

Within this initiative, Joshua led an integral role in shaping the overall direction and execution of the Jakarta program, contributing to concept development, supporting the design of collaborative discussions, and working closely with a broader organising team. He also coordinated efforts with co-organiser SABRI Indonesia and Think Policy Indonesia, which facilitated the policy workshop. Backed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia, the event provided a platform for practitioners, researchers, and youth advocates committed to building more equitable, sustainable, and forward-looking cities.

gallery

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Opening session of the URBANovation Jakarta event.
Engaged discussions during the policy workshop.
Participants brainstorming urban solutions.
Presenting ideas to the wider group.
Panel of speakers sharing insights on urban innovation.
The URBANovation Jakarta organising team.

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