Urban Development Laboratory, has two professors in the field of housing and settlements, Prof. Dr. Ir. Nany Yuliastuti, MSP and Prof. Dr. Sunarti, S.T., M.T. As a scholar, Prof. Dr. Ir. Nany Yuliastuti, MSP has expertise that focusses on the sustainability of urban villages based on local wisdom such as thematic villages, eco villages and local institutions. Her research locations were in the city of Semarang (Gayamsari, Dadapsari, Melayu, Bustaman), Surabaya (Jambangan), Malang (Kampung Glintung) and Aceh (Dusun Tibang). An important finding of her researchs, that the existence of creative urban villages is one of the city’s strategies to increase the city’s economy, create jobs, add economic value, as well as strengthen the existence of urban villages. Some of her works have been published in the reputable international journal such as Journal of Architecture and Urbanism (JAU). In professional associations, Prof. Dr. Ir. Nany Yuliastuti, MSP serves as a member of the Central Java Province Spatial Planning Forum, Semarang City Development Advisory Council (DP2K), Semarang City Expert Professional Team Selection Committee, and Member of the Board of Professors at Diponegoro University for the 2020-2025 period.
Another Professor at the Urban Development Laboratory is Prof. Dr. Sunarti, S.T., M.T. that focusses on housing and human settlement. Her interest in housing and human settlements is mostly highlight emerging slums in most river banks in urban areas. Some of her research have been published in reputable international journals such as Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development. The article analyzes the management of slum settlements in the coastal area of Demaan, Jepara by building a behavior change model to invite people to switch from helicopter latrines to communal latrines through community empowerment process. Currently, she was granted a research fund from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology on slum settlements around the KEDUNGSEPUR industrial area. In addition, she is also active as chairman of the housing and settlement forum in Central Java Province and a member of the Kendal Regency Spatial Planning Forum. She provided assistances for spatial changes in land functions.
Figure 1. Prof. Nany Yuliastuti Activities: Survey in Sei Bilu Village, Banjarmasin
Figure 3. Prof. Sunarti Activities: Discussion of the Spatial Planning Forum in Kendal Regency on changing land use from housing to horticulture