We are thrilled to announce that the Urban Design and Development Centre (UDDC-CEUS) is now the
official host of the Bangkok Cityzens Hub. Joining a global youth-powered movement, we are working to
create healthier and more climate-resilient cities. This milestone marks the start of a journey to address
Bangkok’s urban health and environmental challenges through citizen science and inclusive community
action.
Bangkok faces complex urban challenges, including poor air quality, rising urban heat, traffic congestion,
and unequal access to green spaces. These interconnected issues, driven by rapid urbanisation and climate
change, directly affect the well-being of our communities, especially vulnerable groups. Addressing these
requires a shift from top-down planning to inclusive, data-driven solutions that integrate local knowledge
with city-level observation.
We believe in the power of young people as everyday experts of the city. By equipping them with urban
observation skills, sensing tools, and data literacy, we empower youth to identify deep-rooted challenges
and co-create evidence-based solutions. This initiative is about more than just data; it is about building the
next generation of civic leaders who can transform Bangkok into a more liveable city for all.
UDDC-CEUS, founded in 2013, is an academic-based platform engaging government, private sector, and
civil society in participatory urban development. We provide technical expertise across five core areas:
urban design and planning, research and analytics, stakeholder engagement, strategic communication, and
professional training. As the host of the Bangkok Cityzens Hub, we bridge our multidisciplinary expertise
with youth-led insights to drive evidence-based policy dialogue, ensuring our city is healthy and resilient
for all.
UrbanBetter’s mission is to accelerate healthy and sustainable urban development by addressing urban
health, climate resilience, and social equity. The UrbanBetter Cityzens program empowers youth as
citizen scientists to explore three key areas: the air we breathe, the ways we move, and the food we eat.
Through this partnership, the Bangkok Cityzens Hub will contribute local data, activate community
participation, and help translate grassroots insights into collective action and policy change.
What We Will Do as the Bangkok Hub
- Inclusive Youth Partnerships: Building a strong collaborative network with youth
groups and community leaders focused on urban environmental issues. We aim to
amplify impact and ensure diverse voices are represented in Bangkok’s development. - Urban Observatory & Data Literacy: We empower youth as a human-powered
network for city observation. Our program trains them in data collection using tools
such as sensors and the Cityzens app to monitor air quality, walking comfort, and
spatial dynamics, transforming raw data into evidence-based narratives. - Collaborative Advocacy & Co-Creation: We host participatory platforms such as
workshops or design challenges to bridge youth with experts. Our focus is on co-
creating solutions and piloting youth-led ideas with target groups to test feasibility
and gather community feedback.
- Precision Advocacy: Bridging the gap between community-generated evidence and
strategic decision-makers. We facilitate policy dialogues with relevant urban
authorities and strategic partners to ensure youth-led insights drive urban policy and
catalyse institutional decision-making processes.
We invite you to join us in redefining Bangkok. Follow our progress and engage
in our activities via the Urban Design and Development Centre on Facebook here and visit our Hub page
Together, we co-create a healthy, climate-resilient, and liveable Bangkok for all.
