Academics from the Faculty of Architecture and the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts showcased their collaborative studies on sustainable urban learning environments at the PSi#31 conference in Indonesia.

Faculty members and researchers from the Faculty of Architecture and the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts at Khon Kaen University were invited to present their research during a panel presentation at the Performance Studies International Conference (PSi#31): Archipelagic Flows. The conference ran from 15 to 18 July 2026 in Jakarta, Republic of Indonesia. The conference serves as a premier international academic platform for performance studies. It gathers scholars, artists, designers, and creative practitioners from around the globe to exchange knowledge on contemporary art, design, spatial dynamics, culture, and society.

During the conference, Dr. Akkapol Lamuang, a lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture, presented his research titled “Reconnecting People, Place, and Identity through Creative Space for Youth”. His study investigates the vital role of creative spaces in forging connections between people, places, and community identities. It emphasises urban design perspectives and the active engagement of youth in assigning new meanings to physical spaces and societal structures.

In the same panel, Asst. Prof. Pachaya Akkapram, Ph.D., and Ms. Ratchaneekorn Chantahan, lecturers in the Performing Arts programme at the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, presented their co-authored work, “Liminal Transit: Immersive Theatre as Practice-as-Research for the Relational Formation of Youth Spatial Memory in an Abandoned Urban Infrastructure”. This study explored immersive theatre as a practice-as-research methodology to understand how young people form spatial memories within abandoned urban infrastructure, while examining the broader relationships between individuals, environments, and shared experiences in modern urban contexts.

Both presentations are key components of the “Sustainable Development of Urban Learning Spaces for Youth” research project. The initiative is supported by Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) through the Fundamental Fund (FF) for the 2026 fiscal year. Led by Asst. Prof. Patamaporn Wongwiriya, Ph.D., from the Faculty of Architecture, the project aims to integrate knowledge across art, design, and spatial creation. The ultimate goal is to formulate strategies for developing learning spaces that respond to sustainable urban development needs while enhancing the quality of life for youth in the long term.

Dr. Mike Hornblow moderated the special panel presentation. This successful engagement reflects KKU’s dedication to fostering international academic collaboration and reinforces its mission to advance research and innovation. By participating in such esteemed global forums, the university continues to contribute significantly to the worldwide discourse on art, design, and contemporary urban development. 

Notes for Review:

• Verify the English spelling of the researchers’ names: Dr. Akkapol Lamuang, Asst. Prof. Pachaya Akkapram, Ph.D., Ms. Ratchaneekorn Chantahan, and Asst. Prof. Patamaporn Wongwiriya, Ph.D.
• Ensure the official English name of the research project (“Sustainable Development of Urban Learning Spaces for Youth”) aligns with the formally registered title in the TSRI/KKU database.
• The Buddhist Era year 2569 has been correctly converted to the Common Era year 2026.