CALD Concludes Smart Mobility Project in Khon Kaen

CALD Concludes Smart Mobility Project in Khon Kaen
Innovating and Partnering for the Future of Mobility and Transportation

The recent CALD Smart Mobility Conference, held on 23-27 October in Bangkok and Khon Kaen, Thailand, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from across Asia to explore innovative solutions for urban mobility.

Under the theme “Transforming Smart Mobility Ideas into Local Government Solutions,” the conference served as a platform for policymakers, urban planners, and transportation experts to engage in discussions aimed at reshaping the future of urban transport in the region. The event was hosted by the Democrat Party Thailand, with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.

Mardi Seng, Cambodin Sanator and Chairperson of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), noted in his opening remarks that the conference is “a culmination of our three-year efforts to assist local government units under the CALD network to develop their smart mobility plans.” He stressed that it “takes a village to get us to this point” and could not thank enough the partners from local governments, the academe and civil society for being part of the journey. “I believe that for a true public servant, there is no greater joy than making the lives of your constituents better.”

State of Mobility in Asia and the Smart Shift

The conference opened with a comprehensive overview of the current state of mobility in Asia. Experts highlighted the growing challenges posed by urbanization, including traffic congestion, air pollution, and inadequate public transport systems. As cities continue to expand, the need for effective mobility solutions becomes increasingly urgent. Presenters from Indonesia, Thailand, and Taiwan emphasized that addressing these issues requires a paradigm shift from traditional car-centric models to more sustainable, people-centric approaches.

One of the sessions focused on this critical shift. Panelists discussed how prioritizing vulnerable groups such as pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit users over cars not only enhances urban livability but also contributes to environmental sustainability.

“If you build more spaces for cars, you will get more cars. But if you build more space for pedestrians, you will get more pedestrians, cyclists, and increase of local economies, ” Silpa Wairatpanij, Committee Member of Thailand Walking and Cycling Institute Foundation, explained. “If you plan for the most vulnerable road users, everyone wins.”

Gonggomtua Sitanggang, Southeast Asia Director of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) in Indonesia explained that “streets are designed for machines, not people” and this is what needs to change. “We need to think on how we move people in our streets and design multimodal streets to accommodate public transportations, pedestrians, and cyclists.” “Streets should let people move and be able to access their needs,” he added.

Participants also shared successful strategies from various cities that have begun to embrace this transformation, showcasing a trend that aligns with global sustainability goals.

“I believe that our public transportation system must be flexible in responding to the needs of users especially female passengers. Digitalization helps us ensure their safety and security,” Kusuma Refa Haratama shared. As a transportation engineer from the State University of Surabaya in Indonesia, Haratama, studies on securing women safety in transportation systems to address gender equality and promote sustainable community goals.

Another key highlight of the conference was the presentation of case studies from three local governments that have made significant strides in shifting mindsets and in developing better transportation systems. The municipalities of San Mateo and Panglao in the Philippines and the regency of Trenggalek in Indonesia illustrated diverse approaches to this end, which were tailored to local contexts and were proofs that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Hon. Mochamad Nur Arifin or more popularly known as Mayor Avin, mayor of the Regency of Trenggalek, Indonesia, has always nurtured trust in the community. According to him, “the biggest thing that we need to do right now is how we convince our people that we can do more than what we did before. If you want your city to be more inclusive, if you want to achieve low carbon emission development, you should make your people believe that there is regenerative economy.” Mayor Avin explained that the people’s trust in local leaders can generate big impact even if the initiatives are small.

The local leaders face unique challenges but shared a common commitment to improving mobility for their communities and to continue educating the public towards a more people-centric approach to urban planning and governance.

Thailand’s First: The Khon Kaen model

The conference also provided a unique opportunity for attendees to engage directly with local leaders. A notable meeting with Hon. Teerasak Teekayuphan, the mayor of Khon Kaen, allowed participants to delve into the city’s ambitious plans for integrated light rail transit—a private-led initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity for residents. The mayor articulated a vision for a robust transit network that integrates seamlessly with existing infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships in realizing this vision.

Khon Kaen’s innovative approach, known as the Khon Kaen model, stands out as a participatory development project that minimizes dependence on central government funding. Dr. Suradech Taweesaengsakulthai, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Khon Kaen City Development (KKTT), welcomed the delegates at the Light Railway Construction Lab and discussed the vision of the Khon Kaen model. He noted that the model is based on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), a concept that leverages mass transit as a catalyst for real estate and urban development. By focusing on creating vibrant, walkable neighborhoods around transit hubs, he explained that Khon Kaen aims to foster economic growth while improving residents’ quality of life.

“Khon Kaen city is one of the successful cases for smart mobility in Thailand in terms of the participation of all sectors,” said Prof. Dr. Suchatvee Suwansawat, Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party Thailand.

The discussion around Khon Kaen’s model resonated deeply with conference attendees, many of whom expressed interest in replicating its principles in their own cities. The emphasis on community involvement in planning and development was highlighted as a crucial factor for success. Participants noted that engaging local citizens not only ensures that projects meet community needs but also fosters a sense of ownership and pride among residents.

This is exactly the way forward for Khon Kaen where the local government, the business community, the universities, and the people, “are eager to raise their voices, their needs, and capacity to do something with their local community with minimal support from the central government,” Asst. Prof. Dr. Sirisak Laochankham, Dean of College of Local Administration, Khon Kaen University, shared during his opening remarks.

Partnerships toward Mobility Reforms

The conference also underscored the importance of partnerships in driving mobility reforms. Panelists explored collaborative efforts between government entities, private sector stakeholders, and civil society organizations. Successful partnerships were showcased as essential for developing innovative solutions, sharing best practices, and securing funding for mobility projects.

Dr. Jeeyoung Bae, research fellow of the Institute for Democracy of the Democratic Party of Korea noted during her presentation that private sectors, including universities and start-ups, can boost the innovative capacities of cities. “We need to do participatory planning and collaboration with actual road users. We need leaders who have strong commitment in supporting policies that focus on providing more liveable cities,” Sitanggang from Indonesia added.

Jason Chang, professor of Transportation Engineering from the National Taiwan University, echoed the positive impact of the CALD Smart Mobility project and suggested to “leverage the resources that can support the activity in the past three years and also in the coming years in terms of the smart mobility and sustainable mobility – including funding, benchmarking of successful stories, and developing transportation information sharing platforms.”

As the conference concluded, participants shared commitment messages with a renewed sense of purpose and a toolkit of strategies to implement in their local contexts. The discussions held during the CALD Smart Mobility Conference served as a crucial reminder of the importance of collaboration, innovation, and community engagement in creating sustainable urban transport systems.

“I would like to congratulate everyone for taking part in this ambitious, but worthwhile initiative. Our hope is that our cities can still thrive and breath amidst the rising urban challenges and provide quality and prosperous living for all of us. There’s no better time to start, but now. There’s no day, but today,” said Francis Abaya, secretary general of CALD and former member of parliament from the Philippines.