IN-PERSON London. Section A

Abstract

In Thailand, establishment of universities in a city enhances economic and social development. When each university town accommodates student and staff populations, it makes into 10 to 40 percent of city’s population in a 1st or 2nd – tier city that has at least 1 university campus. University towns expect that graduates will stay and drive economic growth. However, statistics show that most of them move out from the city to find jobs or other opportunities. This situation has happened in university towns around Thailand and neighboring countries. Hence, this case study initiates collaboration between a university and a city to enabling Sustainable University Township for co-creation of City if Becoming that can attract Youth Residencies and Homecomings. This framework emphasizes human capital development and entrepreneurship. The study uses ethnography and theoretical sampling approach to analyze characteristic and motivation to live in a university town of youth residences and homecomings. Researchers use PERSONA to study life-journey of youth who graduated from universities and live in town. From qualitative factor analysis, the study finds there key PERSONAs including Career GIGs, Family in Focus, and Leisure Urbanists. There are two key motivation to stay: “Feel Home” (relationship, belonging and sense of place) and “Possibility” (for jobs, living, and connectivity). These two factors are used to define “city of becoming” in youth residences’ perspective: city for people, people for city. Finally, the study proposes “human capital development for sustainable entrepreneurial society” with three dimensions: Harmony in Life, Enabling Environment and Networking of Diversity.