Bangkok: The National Innovation Agency (NIA) has announced the successful completion of the first "Innovation City Developer" course under the 2026 City Innovation Alliance (CIA) program. This initiative, aimed at crafting urban developers equipped to design cities that are risk-prepared and adaptable to future challenges, marks a significant step towards elevating Thailand into an innovative nation.
According to Thai News Agency, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), through NIA, is set to host the closing ceremony and Final Pitching event for the CIA program on August 26, 2026. This event will showcase the work of participants who have undergone an intensive 8-week program focused on urban innovations. The program ran from July 1 to August 26, 2026, and provided a platform for participants to develop skills crucial for creating resilient and adaptable cities.
Dr. Kritphaka Boonfueng, Director of NIA, explained that the CIA program aims to build a network of leaders under the concept of "Innovative Resilient City." The goal is to create individuals capable of systematically understanding cities, identifying risks and opportunities, and connecting various sectors to bring innovation into real-world applications. This approach integrates Risk Management, Foresight, and Resilience Readiness to address current urban issues and prepare cities for future changes.
Participants engaged in a comprehensive learning journey involving domestic and international case studies, expert exchanges, and development of urban innovation prototypes. The program emphasized understanding city challenges, leveraging data, designing innovations, and fostering stakeholder collaboration. The end goal is to empower cities to experiment, learn, adapt, and build on innovations tailored to their specific contexts.
Dr. Kritphaka highlighted that urban development should transcend technology-focused solutions, emphasizing the importance of people, systems, management mechanisms, and collaborative networks. The CIA program cultivates urban developers who can transform innovation from concept to practice, working with diverse networks to drive urban transformation.
Participants, organized into six teams, developed a "Future-ready City Innovation Prototype," incorporating essential elements for testing and future scaling. The prototypes were presented at the Final Pitching event, underscoring readiness for transition from prototype to pilot projects.
Dr. Kritphaka further noted that the CIA program has fostered a network of urban leaders and developers from various sectors. This network is crucial for urban transformation, which requires collective knowledge, resources, and decision-making power. The program aspires to see participants applying the skills and networks acquired to drive measurable change in their respective areas, preparing cities for unforeseen future events.
The NIA plans to continue its efforts in developing innovation cities through four key components: City Innovators, City Innovation, City Ecosystem, and City Partnership. These components aim to make Thailand a resilient, livable, and adaptable nation capable of creating new opportunities from future changes sustainably.