“Places that Have Value for People".
Placemaking was pioneered by William Whyte and Jane Jacobs in the 1960s, and since then, its narrative has mostly been centred in developed countries until now. The first placemaking conference in Southeast Asia was produced in 2019, it is the first gathering of its kind in Asia with 500+ participants and speakers from all over the world. Placemaker Week Asean returns for its second edition in 2025, bringing together placemakers, professionals, public officials, and communities for a week-long celebration of ideas and inspiration.
Unlike traditional conferences, PWA2025 is an inclusive, hands-on and community-driven, combining inspiring keynotes, knowledge-sharing sessions, and interactive workshops with real-world urban interventions.
Beyond gaining insights from placemaking experts, participants actively contribute to the host city by co-creating solutions for targeted urban spaces. Attendees and speakers have the opportunity to collaborate with our charity partner, Dignity for Children Foundation, to address real challenges in the surrounding neighbourhood—making the area safer and more welcoming for students from preschool to secondary school. Through hands-on collaboration, cities gain fresh ideas, and participants build lasting, meaningful connections with a community of like-minded changemakers.
PWA2025 celebrates placemaking as a powerful tool to build better cities — inclusive, people-centered, and vibrant. It fosters cross-sector partnerships and empowers local action, making it a platform where innovation meets impact. Whether you’re policy makers or just a layman, this is where bold ideas and collaborative spirit come together to reimagine the future of urban spaces.
Sub-themes
Climate and Cities
The ROI of Placemaking
Community Empowerment
The role of Government in Placemaking
Call for paper: NA
Price: 846 MYR (Early Bird INTERNATIONAL fee); 250 MYR (Early Bird student registration fee)