The Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP), Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Diponegoro (Undip) as a core partner in the Global Center of Spatial Methods for Urban Sustainability (SMUS) network coordinated by Technische Universität (TU) Berlin and supported by DAAD Exceed of the German Government, organized the SMUS Kick-Off Event on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at the Engineering Hall, Faculty of Engineering. This event marked the culmination of the SMUS Multidisciplinary Learning Series themed “Blurring Boundaries” The Role of Ec(h)otones in Shaping Urban Sustainability, showcasing the work of 14 participants who explored the application of the ecotone concept in urban sustainability studies developed through site visit at Sayung, Demak and workshops conducted as part of the series.
The event began with a report by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wiwandari Handayani, Head of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning and Person in Charge of the SMUS Multidisciplinary Learning Series, who highlighted that this activity represents a tangible contribution of the SMUS network in facilitating dialogue, research collaboration, and learning processes on sustainable urban planning practices. Prof. Ir. Nita Aryanti, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., IPM, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, officially opened the SMUS Kick-Off Event on behalf of the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. On this occasion, Prof. Dr.sc.agr. Iwan Rudiarto also introduced the concept of the ecotone as a crucial spatial framework in sustainability.
On this occasion, 14 participants of the SMUS Multidisciplinary Learning Series, divided into three groups, presented their research ideas focusing on the concept of ecotone as a dynamic ecological transition zone that is highly vulnerable to wicked urban problems, such as land subsidence, coastal abrasion, and sea-level rise. The SMUS Kick-Off Event was attended by hundreds of participants from government institutions, research organizations, NGOs, and students from DURP Undip, Universitas Semarang (USM), and Universitas Islam Sultan Agung (Unissula). Distinguished discussants included Prof. Dr. Walter Timo de Vries from the Technical University of Munich, Annisa Fitria, M.A. from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Pramudita Mahyastuti, M.Sc. and Angie from GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH). In addition to presentations and discussions, the event also provided an open dialogue space among students, academics, practitioners, and the public to explore the strategic importance of ecotones in addressing urban sustainability challenges.
Through this activity, DURP Undip is expected to continue contributing to strengthening international research collaboration while enhancing academic capacity in sustainable development planning. By promoting research on ecotones, the event also aims to broaden public understanding of ecotones as ecological transition zones that play a vital role in maintaining environmental balance. Furthermore, this initiative is expected to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This collaboration serves as a concrete step by DURP Undip in advancing coastal sustainability as an ecotone through interdisciplinary and international cooperation.