“When we look into the future, I believe green cities will be champions,” said Mr. Norasak Suksomboon, Vice Governor of the province of Chiang Rai, at the opening of the AIPH Green City Conference on 11th February 2025. “Not only in Chiang Rai, but across the whole world. They will be beautiful and prosperous cities for the next generations.”
The Conference was organised by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) with the support of Host Partners, Chiang Rai, the Thailand Department of Agriculture, the Horticultural Science Society of Thailand, and the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and Headline Sponsor Biblo. With a theme of ‘Nature, Culture, and City Life’, the Conference invited speakers from around the world to share their experiences with urban greening.
One such speaker, Prof. Dr. Vanchai Sirichana presented the transformation of Mae Fah Luang University into a vibrant, green space. In 1988, the land was desolate. The historic forest had been destroyed. Yet, the architects were determined to create a green educational space and restore the nature that had been lost. The plan was motivated by Princess Srinagarindra’s wish to restore the land for the benefit of the people. Today, the university is surrounded by a new forest, but the task is not yet finished. Every year, more trees are planted. With the goal of ‘planting a tree in people’s hearts’, the initiative encourages students to develop an appreciation for nature.
Another example of transformation came from Ms. Kotchakorn Voraakhom of Landprocess Co. Ltd, who grew up in Thailand’s capital. Bangkok is on a flood plain and managing water has always been a way of life for citizens, yet over the past hundred years the city has become more and more concrete. Ms. Voraakhom has been introducing greenery into the city to help manage water. Her first project was a city park designed with elevation to collect rain water in a pond at the bottom, which fed into a reserve tank beneath the park.
Mr. Prabhakorn Vadanyakul, President of the Architect Council of Thailand, and Mr. Somkiat Lochindapong, Deputy Managing Director of Architects 49 Limited, presented the transformation of Wangchan Valley. Hailed as a future ‘Smart City’, the site is home to the Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC). The valley’s masterplan blends campus facilities with the existing environmental topography, aiming to preserve the existing forest and create a reservoir for water circulation to the entire project.
Mr. Bill Hardy, Chair of the AIPH Green City Committee, noted: “We are witnessing the increasing devastation of wildfires, floods, droughts, and extreme storms around the world. Yet plants offer solutions. We, as plant advocates, have those solutions. It is our job—no, our responsibility—to educate. To speak for plants and green spaces, especially in our cities.
“The importance of the water cycle, the role of low-lying clouds, and the contribution of plants in regulating our climate are becoming more pronounced in global discussions. Plants are finally starting to receive some of the recognition they deserve.”
Other presentations included:
- ‘Shaping the Future of Ecological Urbanization through hidden Truths’ – Assoc. Prof. Surasak Kangkhao, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Thailand
- ‘Architectural education enriched our discussions on urban development and sustainable design practices’ – Prof. Dr. Jakob Brandtberg Knudsen, Dean of Architecture, Royal Danish Academy, Denmark
- ‘Do urban nature-based solutions work? Reflections and preliminary answers from Southeast Asian cities’ by Asst. Prof. Perrine Hamel, Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- ‘Sustainable Natural Resources and Continuously Evolving a Green City’ – Prof. Emeritus Dr. Geoffrey A. Cordell, Natural Products Inc., and College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, USA
- ‘Gardens by the Bay: Innovative Green Tourist Attractions and Beyond’ – Mr. Whoo Kiat Heng, Project Director (Infrastructure) / Bay East Project Office and Senior Director/ Conservatory Operations, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
Watch the Conference on-demand.
At the end of the Conference, AIPH announced the opening of entries to the prestigious AIPH World Green City Awards 2026 – the only global awards for cities where plants and nature are the core focus. The Awards recognise and celebrate bold and innovative action that harnesses the power of plants and nature to create greener, healthier, and more resilient cities. Find out more.
