Study trip to Bangkok: Urban transitions, metropolitan governance and social dynamics

Students from the Governing the Large Metropolis Track (GLM) of the Urban School travelled to Bangkok from 24 February to 3 March 2026 for their annual study trip exploring the challenges and transformations of one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic metropolitan regions.

Throughout the week, the programme offered a transversal reading of Bangkok’s urban dynamics, at the intersection of climate adaptation, mobility, innovation, governance, and social inclusion.
Through a series of meetings with academic institutions, public authorities, international organisations, private-sector actors, and civil society representatives, students examined how Bangkok is addressing key metropolitan challenges:

• climate resilience and environmental pressures

• mobility and infrastructure integration
• innovation-driven urban development
• governance and institutional coordination
• social equity and informal economies

The trip highlighted the diversity of urban approaches shaping the city today — from data-driven planning and smart mobility solutions to community-led initiatives and large-scale private developments. Particular attention was given to the complexity of metropolitan governance and the need to articulate local, national, and international scales of action.

Field visits across the city — from informal settlements to innovation districts, major development projects and traditional markets — provided students with concrete insights into how urban policies translate into lived realities, and how residents, entrepreneurs and institutions collectively shape the metropolitan fabric.

The programme also explored the role of international cooperation in supporting sustainable urban development, as well as the importance of experimentation, co-production, and interdisciplinary approaches in addressing complex urban challenges.

We extend our sincere thanks to all the institutions and professionals who contributed to the success of this study trip, for their time, insights, and valuable exchanges with our students.