The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) organized the Conference in collaboration with Chiang Rai, the Thailand Department of Agriculture, the Horticultural Science Society of Thailand, the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), and Headline Sponsor Biblo.
The event, centred around the theme “Nature, Culture, and City Life,” brought together global speakers to share their insights on urban greening.
Professor Dr. Vanchai Sirichana highlighted the transformation of Mae Fah Luang University into a lush, green campus. 1988 the area was barren, with its natural forest wiped out.
Inspired by Princess Srinagarindra’s vision to restore the land for the people’s benefit, the architects worked to bring back greenery. Today, the university in CHiang Rai is surrounded by a thriving forest, but the restoration continues with new trees planted annually.
The initiative, driven by “planting a tree in people’s hearts,” encourages students to develop a deeper connection with nature.
Ms. Kotchakorn Voraakhom of Landprocess Co. Ltd shared her efforts to reintroduce greenery into Bangkok, a city built on a floodplain. Over the past century, the city has become increasingly covered in concrete, intensifying flooding challenges in Chiang Rai.
Her first project involved creating a city park designed to manage water. The park’s sloped design channels rainwater into a pond, which feeds an underground reservoir.
Another example came from Mr. Prabhakorn Vadanyakul, President of the Architect Council of Thailand, and Mr. Somkiat Lochindapong, Deputy Managing Director of Architects 49 Limited.
They presented the transformation of Wangchan Valley, envisioned as a future “Smart City.” This site hosts the Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC) and incorporates the natural landscape into its master plan.
The project prioritizes preserving the existing forest and establishing a water reservoir in Chiang Rai to support the entire area.
Bill Hardy, Chair of the AIPH Green City Committee, emphasized the urgency of addressing environmental challenges. He stated, “Wildfires, floods, droughts, and severe storms are becoming more frequent worldwide.
Plants offer solutions, and our advocates are responsible for educating and championing green spaces, especially in urban areas. The role of plants in the water cycle, cloud formation, and climate regulation is finally gaining the attention it deserves.”
Other key presentations included:
- “Shaping the Future of Ecological Urbanization through Hidden Truths” by Assoc. Prof. Surasak Kangkhao, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Thailand.
- “Architectural Education Enriching Urban Development and Sustainable Design Practices” by 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 Evolving a Green City” by 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” by Mr. Whoo Kiat Heng, Project Director (Infrastructure) / Bay East Project Office and Senior Director/Conservatory Operations, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore.
Watch The full Conference is available on-demand.
At the event’s conclusion, AIPH announced the opening of entries for the 2026 AIPH World Green City Awards. These global awards celebrate cities prioritizing plants and nature to create healthier, greener, and more sustainable urban environments. Learn more about how to participate.
For further press information:
Hannah Pinnells, Digital Marketing & Communications Executive
Email: hannah.pinnells@aiph.org
Website: www.aiph.org & www.floracultureinternational.com
About AIPH
AIPH – the International Association of Horticultural Producers
Since 1948, AIPH has united horticultural producers in an international community that thrives today. Much has changed since then. Technologies have advanced, cities have grown, and we have become more connected than ever.
As a result, our essential bond with nature has been weakened. AIPH strives to reignite and uphold an appreciation of plants that we believe is a basic human instinct.
We support the work of grower associations globally., Together, we champion a prosperous industry that grows plants that enhance lives, advance societies, and sustain our planet for this generation and the next.
AIPH is also the global approving body for International Horticultural Exhibitions, which are hosted by cities worldwide.
Website: www.aiph.org
Green City
AIPH leads global thinking on successfully integrating nature into the built environment. Through the AIPH Green City Initiative, AIPH promotes the essential role of plants in creating vibrant urban areas. It aims to develop an international standard for green cities, be a focal point for green city best practices and be a source of expertise.
AIPH uses knowledge exchange, advocacy, and networking to nurture a strategic shift in city form and function to advance the realisation of a greener planet.
Website: www.aiph.org/green-city/
Geoff Thomas is an award winning journalist known for his sharp insights and no-nonsense reporting style. Over the years he has worked for Reuters and the Canadian Press covering everything from political scandals to human interest stories. He brings a clear and direct approach to his work.
