Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Diponegono (UNDIP) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) discussed Sustainable Urban Design (SUD) in May 2025 to enhance collaboration and knowledge in the field of sustainable urban design.
The discussion aimed to explore the concepts and principles of SUD, as well as strategies for reducing environmental impacts and improving the quality of life for communities. Dr Johannes Widodo, a lecturer from NUS, shared his experiences and knowledge on sustainable urban design with undergraduate students in the Urban and Regional Planning Program, Faculty of Engineering, accompanied by Dr Ing. Wakhidah Kurniawati, a lecturer from UNDIP. This discussion was part of the International Collaboration Program with QS WUR Top 200 Universities. This activity was funded by the World Class University Program 2025.
The discussion covered several topics, including the concepts and principles of Sustainable Urban Design (SUD), strategies for reducing environmental impacts and improving community quality of life, examples of sustainable urban design projects in Singapore and Indonesia, and collaboration and knowledge exchange between UNDIP and NUS in the field of SUD. This discussion aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) on Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The discussion took place at Singapore’s first Net Zero Energy Building, the SDE4 (School of Design and Environment 4) Building. The building is designed to consume only as much energy as it generates through solar panels installed on the roof. The SDE4 Building’s design is responsive to Singapore’s tropical climate, providing shading from the sun and a double facade to reduce heat loss. The building also uses a hybrid cooling system that combines air conditioning with ceiling fans to create a comfortable temperature without consuming much energy. The building is equipped with over 1,200 photovoltaic solar panels that can generate up to 500MWh of energy and save approximately $180,000 in electricity costs. The building is designed to maximise natural ventilation and natural lighting, reducing the need for air conditioning and lighting. SDE4 has achieved Green Mark Platinum certification and is in the process of achieving WELL Building Institute certification, which recognises best practices in building design and construction that support the health and well-being of occupants.
The SDE4 Building serves not only as a lecture hall but also as a living laboratory for testing and developing green building technologies. NUS plans to create a “well and green” zone on its campus, with SDE4 as an example of a sustainable and environmentally friendly building.
UNDIP and NUS are committed to enhancing collaboration and knowledge in the field of Sustainable Urban Design (SUD), as agreed in the Implementation Agreement (IA). The two universities will continue to collaborate in developing sustainable research and education projects. This activity is expected to support UNDIP’s vision of a noble and valuable university.
Figure 1. Group photo in front of the SDE4 Building NUS
Figure 2. Discussion in the lecture hall of the SDE4 Building NUS
Figure 3. Building atmosphere of the SDE4 Building NUS