DEPA has partnered with Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Architecture and CU D4S Enterprises to launch the Smart Sustainable City for Silver GEN program, focusing on sustainable city design technologies for the elderly. This initiative includes a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop a lifelong learning ecosystem for smart city development, addressing social, economic, environmental, and technological changes while shaping future elderly-friendly cities. The program aims to create business expansion opportunities, foster entrepreneurial communities, and develop modern urban developers, alongside a seminar titled Exploring New Scenarios in Thai Society: The Golden Age of Aging or a Crisis of the Future.

Dr. Phaskorn Prathombutr Deputy Director of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency or DEPA, along with Assoc. Prof. Sarayuth Subsuk Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University and Dr. Tharawanna Preedawiphat Executive of CU D4S Enterprises, jointly launched the Smart Sustainable City for Silver GEN program, delving into sustainable city design technologies for the elderly and signing an MOU for the development of a lifelong learning ecosystem for smart city development at the library of the Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University.

Dr. Phaskorn revealed that DEPA, along with the Faculty of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University and CU D4S Enterprises, recognizes the importance of creating new knowledge and skills for planning and designing smart cities sustainably for the elderly. This initiative aims to equip personnel from government agencies, the private sector, and civil society while promoting the exchange of knowledge and experiences and building strong academic partnerships alongside developing knowledge and skills for sustainable smart city creation. This is the foundation of the Smart Sustainable City for Silver GEN program, focusing on sustainable city design technologies for the elderly.

“The collaboration on developing a lifelong learning ecosystem for smart city development integrates the efforts of three sectors: government, private, and educational institutions. The objective is to promote, support, and enhance curriculum development or training to increase skills, knowledge, and understanding of using digital technology in managing cities to accommodate an aging society for personnel from government agencies, the private sector, and civil society, fostering knowledge and experience exchange, and creating a collaborative network for developing human resources and personnel to enhance overall operational efficiency,” said the Director General of DEPA.

Assoc. Prof. Sarayuth Subsuk, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University stated that the Faculty of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University aims to create a curriculum that fosters academic collaboration to develop leaders in the technology of planning, designing, and developing future elderly-friendly cities. This initiative also aims to create business expansion opportunities and build communities of entrepreneurs and modern urban developers capable of addressing social, economic, environmental, and technological changes, with faculty and experts actively participating in the program.

To raise awareness about accommodating an aging society, a seminar titled Exploring New Scenarios in Thai Society: The Golden Age of Aging or a Crisis of the Future was organized, featuring experts in smart city development, including Assoc. Prof. Trairat Jarutthas, Head of the Universal Design Excellent Center at the Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, Dr. Phaskorn Prathombutr, Deputy Director General of DEPA, Assoc. Prof. Tawida Kamalwetch, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Mr. Narongchai Khunplem, Mayor of Saen Suk Municipality, Chonburi Province, and Mr. Pongwut Saengprasert, Sales Director of the Corporate Business Group at Panasonic Solutions (Thailand) Co., Ltd., who shared insights on management approaches and policies necessary to prepare for the future of Thai society as the aging population becomes a significant part.

Assoc. Prof. Trairat Jarutthas, Head of the Universal Design Excellent Center at Chulalongkorn University and Director of the Smart Sustainable City for Silver GEN program stated, “The elderly are about to take over the cities. Thailand is fully transitioning into an aging society by 2022, with over 20% of the population aged 60 and above. By 2033, Thailand will enter a super-aged society, with over 28% of the population aged 60 and above. This is not just a statistical figure but a reality that we must face with significant changes in the economy, society, and urban infrastructure. Currently, many cities in Thailand do not meet the living needs of the elderly. Many cities lack safety, with inadequate sidewalks, a shortage of basic facilities, or public transport systems that are not conducive to elderly travel. These environments pose daily challenges for the elderly in Thailand, which is an urgent issue to address: How can we make cities smart and safe for everyone? The answer is not just about installing new technologies but about developing cities into sustainable smart cities that not only meet the needs of the elderly population but also create an environment friendly to all ages.”

Therefore, the Digital Economy Promotion Agency and the Faculty of Architecture have organized a pilot program for the Smart Sustainable City for Silver GEN focusing on sustainable city design technologies for the elderly in Japan, primarily aimed at promoting awareness and participation to foster collaboration in enhancing sustainable design skills for senior executives, urban developers, real estate business owners, those interested in sustainable city design development, architects, engineers, consultants, experts, or urban designers, as well as personnel from government agencies, the private sector, and civil society.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suthi Anansuksom, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University stated, “The collaboration between DEPA and the Faculty of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University will be a significant step in preparing Thailand for the development of smart cities to accommodate an aging society, particularly through the development of the Smart Sustainable City for Silver GEN curriculum, which will present approaches to designing and developing sustainable cities that emphasize safety and comfort for the elderly, not only for the benefit of the elderly but also to create a stable and sustainable future for people of all ages in Thai society.”

Course Highlights:

- 8 leading speakers in sustainable urban design for the elderly

- 5 concepts for creating sustainability for modern urban developers

- 3 weeks of in-depth exploration of future urban design technologies

The course duration is set in collaboration between the Faculty of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University, CU D4S Enterprises, and DEPA, with training in Thailand from November 22 to November 23 and on December 7, 2024, with a study trip to Japan from November 24 to December 1 (activities in Japan for 6 days). The Smart Sustainable City for Silver GEN program focusing on sustainable city design technologies for the elderly is now open for registration until October 10, 2024. The training fee is 139,000 THB/person, with a special tax deduction of up to 250% for private organizations.

Interested parties can follow details on Facebook: CUD4S and inquire via Line OA: @cud4s, call 02-218-4316, or email [email protected], and register through https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKR4UNrxTiLVdeDVybQfjUsYEncLi-_y4tFUOmOa6o-6U_uQ/viewform.