WCS 2012 Book by World Cities Summit 2014

LIVEABLE & SUSTAINABLE CITIES

INTEGRATED URBAN SOLUTIONS WORLD CITIES SUMMIT 2012

Co-organised by

ISBN: 978-981-07-5384-9 ISBN: 978-981-07-5385-6 (Electronic version)

Writer: Marcus Ng Editorial team: Adeline Lim, Dinesh Naidu, Petrina Yeap Layout design: Ink On Paper Communications Pte Ltd

Printed in Singapore Printer: NPE Print Communications Pte Ltd

This publication contains edited transcripts and reports of presentations made at the World Cities Summit 2012, which was held in Singapore from 1 to 4 July 2012. Information about speakers and organisations is correct as of July 2012. The views captured here do not necessarily reflect those of the co-organisers, strategic partners, supporting organisations or sponsors of the event.

LIVEABLE & SUSTAINABLE CITIES

INTEGRATED URBAN SOLUTIONS WORLD CITIES SUMMIT 2012

Co-organised by

ÂŠ Urban Redevelopment Authority, Singapore

“Most cities share similar broad objectives — to generate vibrant economies, create good jobs, provide a safe and secure environment for its residents, deliver good public services, whether it is waste disposal, clean and reliable water, or public transport; and to make all these individual pieces work, to have effective governance so that the system as a whole functions well. And that is why all of us are here today, to share our experiences and to learn from one another.” LEE HSIEN LOONG Prime Minister of Singapore and Guest-of-Honour, Opening Ceremony and Welcome Reception of the World Cities Summit 2012

CONTENTS 1

FOREWORD

WHERE CITIES MEET

PLENARY SESSIONS

6 10 14 18

Opening Plenary Keynote Plenary Closing Plenary In Conversation

LEE KUAN YEW WORLD CITY PRIZE

WORLD CITIES SUMMIT MAYORS FORUM

FLAGSHIP URBAN SOLUTION TRACKS AND IN-FOCUS FORUMS

40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62

Intense Cities Eco Cities Biodiverse Cities Smart Cities Mobile Cities Resilient Cities Inclusive Cities Investing in Cities In-Focus Forum – China In-Focus Forum – India In-Focus Forum – Japan In-Focus Forum – Southeast Asia

EXPO, CO-LOCATED EVENTS AND SITE VISITS

SPECIAL THANKS

WORLD CITIES SUMMIT MAYORS FORUM 2013

WORLD CITIES SUMMIT 2014

FOREWORD As a developing city-state, Singapore had its share of challenges: unemployment, poor infrastructure, pollution, homelessness. These spurred an earlier generation to transform a third world city and build a competitive, liveable and sustainable first world city. The mission was, as our first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew put it, “a chance of a lifetime”. Today, many cities are keen to learn about our journey. In an interview in August 2012, Mr Lee Kuan Yew stressed how he had learnt from others: “We are not the only city. There are thousands of other cities and we can see the mistakes they have made. We can also see what they have done right.” Learning has become part of Singapore’s DNA. Even as we devise our own solutions and share our experience with others, we still make it a point to learn from the world. And there is much to learn.

KHAW BOON WAN Minister for National Development, Singapore

Sharing and learning is what the World Cities Summit is all about. The third edition of this biennial event was held in July 2012 under the theme ‘Liveable and Sustainable Cities — Integrated Urban Solutions’, to address the increasingly complex issues that cities face. Delegates heard from global leaders in the field, including ministers, mayors, CEOs, scientists and other experts. For the first time, the Summit was co-located with the Singapore International Water Week and the CleanEnviro Summit Singapore, resulting in a major global event drawing over 19,000 participants from more than 100 countries. Awarding the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize to New York City — for its inspiring transformation over the last decade — was a key highlight of the World Cities Summit 2012. Another was the participation of over 100 city leaders at the annual World Cities Summit Mayors Forum, the largest known gathering of its kind. City and industry leaders also discussed opportunities for collaboration at the new ‘In-Focus’ forums, organised by four key regions: Southeast Asia, China, India and Japan. Beyond such sessions, the World Cities Summit is about the deals struck, partnerships forged and friendships made, at glittering ceremonies or on the expo floor, during networking sessions or site visits. It is about bringing the right people together to make our cities better. This book captures the spirit, highlights and key ideas of the World Cities Summit 2012. I hope it is a useful resource and an inspiration for all participants, while providing those who have yet to attend a glimpse of this event. I hope many of you will join us for more fruitful discussions on how to create liveable and sustainable cities at the World Cities Summit Mayors Forum in Bilbao, Spain, in June 2013, and again, at the next edition of the World Cities Summit in 2014, in Singapore.

PLENARY SESSIONS

OPENING PLENARY, 2 JULY 2012

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT – OUR CITIES, WATER AND ENVIRONMENT The basic needs of human life – food, water and shelter – remain unchanged. But for the first time in history, cities are taking centrestage as the dominant habitats of humanity. By 2040, two-thirds of the global population are expected to dwell in urban environments, a trend that will create unique and enormous pressures on existing infrastructure and natural resources. How then can cities provide their inhabitants with fresh water, affordable food and safe homes in a clean, non-polluted environment? How can planners create a road map, draft a master plan, and plot a blueprint for cities that will meet not only the fundamental needs of urban life but also the diverse aspirations of citizens who want to live in places that feed their imaginations and nourish their spirits, that fuel their productivity and free their senses to explore common spaces? These are the questions that occupy the minds of city leaders and urban policy-makers from every country and continent. And at the joint Opening Plenary of the 2012 World Cities Summit, Singapore International Water Week and CleanEnviro Summit Singapore, a distinguished panel of speakers from governments, industry and international organisations participated in a dialogue on these issues, moderated by Prof. Tommy Koh, Ambassador-At-Large from Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

BUILDING FOR INDIA’S FUTURE “As India grows, growth has preceded infrastructure. So the challenge is not only to build, to bridge the deficit, but also to build for the future.”

HIS EXCELLENCY KAMAL NATH Minister of Urban Development, India

India has six megacities of more than 10 million residents, 13 cities with more than four million people, and about 55 cities of more than one million. The country’s main challenge, according to Mr Nath, is to build for the future and bridge a massive infrastructural deficit. He shared that the country is spending close to US$40 billion to revamp its urban transportation and sewage systems, as well as develop the capacities of municipalities. Subways now run in six major cities and the capital, Delhi, will soon have 440 kilometres of metro lines. Solving governance issues and building capacity are key challenges due to India’s multiple administrative levels and vigorous democracy. Mr Nath also considered the possibilities for optimising land resources through more efficient use of land.

CONNECTING PEOPLE, EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES “We hope that our infrastructure development could maintain the balance between pro-job, pro-growth, pro-poor and pro-green objectives.”

HIS EXCELLENCY DJOKO KIRMANTO Minister of Public Works, Indonesia

Mr Kirmanto spoke on the task of providing reliable public works and urban infrastructure in a nation of more than 277 million people spread over more than 17,000 islands. About 52 per cent of Indonesians live in towns and cities, and the country faces immense social and environmental challenges associated with intensive land use, deforestation and urban sprawl. Working on a very limited budget, the Ministry of Public Works manages 38,000 kilometres of national roads and bridges as well as hundreds of water suppliers and solid waste management zones to connect people and empower communities, while ensuring that development does not harm the environment. There are also focused plans to promote the provision of green spaces in urban areas and the upgrading of urban slums.

PROVIDING FOR GROWING URBAN POPULATIONS “People move because they believe that there are better opportunities for them in the cities than in the rural areas. I think one thing planners can do is to ensure that when they plan a city, they have this at the back of their minds. People are going to move, the facilities are going to be stretched, the facilities are not going to be adequate.”

THE HONOURABLE AMAL PEPPLE Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Nigeria

With 165 million people, Nigeria has a large, fast-growing population, 48 per cent of which live in urban areas. As more people migrate to cities, existing roads, drains, water and power supplies and other amenities face growing pressure. This trend threatens to undermine the economic competitiveness of cities in Africa. Ms Pepple’s government is thus focusing on areas such as energy, agriculture and housing to improve living standards and provide jobs for new city residents. Nigeria has also adopted private-public partnerships to help develop its housing and power generation sectors. Housing subsidies are planned for low-income groups and slum dwellers are being encouraged to move to better-planed urban zones.

LIVEABLE CITIES THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS “Public-private partnerships are one tool in an array of tools that cities can use, and one of the things that we actually emphasise is that cities bring many partners – not just the private sector, but citizens’ groups, universities and others – that can work with them on different solutions.”

PAMELA COX Regional Vice-President, East Asia and the Pacific, the World Bank

Ms Cox shared how the World Bank is using an integrated spatial and institutional approach to making cities liveable. In Indonesia, the World Bank has adopted a community-based approach to urban poverty that has helped build roads, drains, housing and health facilities for 11,000 urban wards and 22 million people since 1999. This approach, called PNPM (National Programme for Community Empowerment) was also used in the reconstruction of Aceh following the 2004 tsunami. Another success story involved a water supply and wastewater project in the Philippines. “This is a public-private partnership between the city of Manila and it’s serving some 100,000 people with improved wastewater and of course clean water,” she said.

PLANNING FOR A MEGACITY “Cities are the places where human desires, wishes and demands have to be catered to.”

HIS EXCELLENCY SHINTARO ISHIHARA Governor, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan

Cities are conglomerations, places that harbour diverse functions and express a gamut of human desires. Over the years, Tokyo, in Mr Ishihara’s view, had become too concentrated and centralised and the metropolitan government faced a huge fiscal burden as millions of people commuted to the capital every day from nearby cities. As Governor, he reduced the number of civil servants, changed the public wage structure and streamlined the city’s administration. Such efforts to devolve tasks from the centre of a megacity make sense given the ease of transport and technology links, he said. For instance, a high-speed rail line links Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, covering 800 kilometres in less than an hour. Such links offer the possibility of distributing functions from Tokyo as well as rejuvenating Osaka. “Cities,” he stressed, “have to be the locomotive of the nation state.”

GREEN CITIES DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH “What governments need to do is to invest in infrastructure, and the key is good governance. Having honest, competent public authorities capable of envisioning the future, inducting the latest technology, working with the competitive private sector, to not only build infrastructure, but the point which I want to emphasise is also the need to able to maintain and renew that infrastructure.”

DR VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore

Dr Balakrishnan raised three points. First, he observed that dense, open, integrated, wellconnected, well-planned cities are the greenest and most sustainable way of life for the future. He also saw the environment as a source of enduring competitive advantage and a crucial factor to drawing long-term investments. For instance, Singapore’s efforts to turn open sewers into a freshwater reservoir paid extra dividends in the development of the vibrant Marina Bay area. The third point he raised was the need to avoid subsidising wasteful consumption to send a clear signal that these resources come at a cost.

SUSTAINABILITY WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT “Cities are the models of our economy and are the home of innovative processes in industry and culture, but at the same time, cities are responsible for the majority of energy and water consumption, waste production and CO2 emissions.”

HENRI PROGLIO Chairman and CEO, Electricité de France (EDF)

EDF’s vision for sustainable cities encompasses actions to mitigate climate change and the use of innovations such as renewable and low carbon energy sources, smart grids and energy-efficient buildings. The company also maintains a research centre in Singapore dedicated to sustainable cities. Mr Proglio added that sustainable cities can be achieved without slowing economic development given two factors: a long-term investment vision and a systemic approach that integrates technical solutions and local policies. Local needs and resources have to be identified so that the right technologies can be chosen to address long-term needs. Getting people to change their behaviour is also key to increasing energy efficiency.

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO URBAN MANAGEMENT “If you really want to have a good city management and urban development, you need a holistic approach. That means a strong mayor, decision bodies with an overall strategy in a clear way to go forward into the future, and long-term planning.”

DR ROLAND BUSCH CEO, Infrastructure and Cities, Siemens AG

Dr Busch explained that apart from capabilities in transport, energy, smart grids, automation and water treatment, Siemens is investing heavily in urban research, with a Green City Index which benchmarks 120 cities around the world according to Key Performance Indicators such as energy efficiency, clean air, water, transport and land use. The index, he revealed, suggests that good city management and urban development require a holistic, rather than an incremental, approach, combining strong leadership, a clear strategy, long-term planning and civic engagement.

SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES “We must build an environmentally friendly, water friendly society and we have also proposed the theory of human beings living in harmony with nature.”

QIAN MIN Commissioner, Huaihe River Commission, Ministry of Water Resources, China

Mr Qian spoke on the shortage of fresh water in China due to geographical or seasonal factors, as well as the depletion of water resources as a result of industrial or urban overconsumption. Compounding this problem is domestic wastage arising from the popular perception that water is unlimited in supply. In 2007, China set up a policy for the scientific management of water resources to change the old practice of unlimited water extraction from rivers and lakes and to highlight the importance of water conservation. Beijing has committed four trillion renminbi to manage the vulnerability of water resources and build three new flood channels. Educating citizens on the need and ways to save water is another key thrust.

KEYNOTE PLENARY, 3 JULY 2012

TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES — URBANISATION FORCES IN THE NEXT 20 YEARS A glimpse into the future, a glance into the crystal ball of a globe where cities have become the hubs of humanity. The challenges and conundrums that confront the world’s metropolitan centres and the current efforts by mayors and other city leaders to plan and pave the way for a future that is liveable and sustainable. These were the visions and blueprints that a panel of distinguished speakers shared with an audience of fellow thinkers and planners at the WCS 2012 Keynote Plenary. Moderator Prof. Kishore Mahbubani began by posing this question to the panel: “What keeps you up at night? What do you worry about most in the field of urbanisation?” What followed was a journey through time, a session that unleashed a wealth of daring visions, hopeful dreams and down-to-earth strategies for shaping the world’s cities in the decades to come, as the speakers bared their minds and opened their imagination to the forces that will mould urban centres in a time when cities will house more than half the world’s population.

“Urban populations are going to explode – that’s unstoppable. What we don’t know is how these cities will turn out. Will we have cities which are living nightmares – crowded, crime-ridden, polluted – or will we have dream-like cities: sustainable, green, friendly?” PROF. KISHORE MAHBUBANI (MODERATOR) Dean, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore

CITIES AT A HUMAN SCALE “This is what defines a more humanised city – we have to recover the human scale.”

HIS EXCELLENCY MAURICIO MACRI Mayor, Buenos Aires City, Argentina

Mr Macri began by questioning whether happiness would be achieved if the entire world’s population enjoyed the consumption rate of the average American. “Is this level of consumption what is needed for happiness and compatible with a desirable quality of life?” he asked. “We have been consuming, creating jobs all around the world, but we have to find a balance between growing and consuming”. In Buenos Aires, Mr Macri has launched a programme to increase the number of pedestrian-only streets. “I have so many critics about that,” he said, “but the results are incredible”. People have welcomed the huge sidewalks and are interacting more, and property values in these areas have risen. “We have to go for concentrated cities and people living near where they work, so that they can go to work in terms of walking distance or bicycle distance,” he concluded.

THE PARADOX OF PROSPERITY “Cities must become focal points of innovative solutions for infrastructure, congestion management and green buildings. The sharing of these best practices must be spread internationally.”

JEREMY BENTHAM Vice President, Global Business Environment, Shell

What keeps Mr Bentham up at night is “the paradox of modern life,” that prosperity, having improved the welfare of millions, is “at the same time creating pressures that can undermine the benefits of prosperity” through surging demand for energy, water and food. These pressures are linked, he added, and converge as cities grow in size and scale. “I worry about whether we will see the development of compact cities with smart mobility or sprawling slumps, and we have choices that we can make together that make those different pathways,” he said. Governments must also recognise that the investment cycles required for projects such as new energy infrastructure can span decades, far exceeding typical political cycles. Addressing future challenges will, therefore, be a struggle without a long-term outlook and integrated efforts between businesses, government and civil society.

BOOSTING CITIES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY “We need flexible work models now that we have IT, now that we can have officers at home, now that we can give more room to women because they can combine work with family. I am convinced that if there are more women in positions of power, you will see better planning of cities, you will see better public service delivery, so more power to women.”

DR ISHER JUDGE AHLUWALIA Chairperson, Indian Council for Research for International Economic Relations (ICRIER)

Dr Ahluwalia revealed that in India, an estimated US$400 billion is needed to provide urban roads and other transport infrastructure over the next 20 years. “What really keeps me up at night,” she stated, “is the thought of how much time and energy it will take me to get from one place to another and the need for public transport, the need for urban roads, for traffic-management systems, above all, the need for energy pricing so that we make the right choices.” She also observed that having improved balance sheets the world over, India’s IT sector is now contributing to e-governance at home through better delivery of public services and the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to improve road safety, assess land values and improve realisation through property taxes.

PLANNING FOR SMOOTHER RIDES AND MORE RECYCLING IN BEIJING “We have been working in the last few years on the classification of rubbish. So for newspapers, cans and other things that we can recycle, we collect those trash and make sure that it’s recycled and this is being done. We hope to continue to work in this area and use incineration as one of our main ways of reducing rubbish. We have 18,000 tons of rubbish everyday.”

ZHOU ZHENGYU Deputy Secretary General, Beijing Municipal Government, China

Finding a route to smoother rides was also what most vexed Mr Zhou, who spoke of the challenges involved in planning traffic for Beijing, a city of nearly 21 million people. “We have about five million big cars at the moment but we only have 2.5 million parking lots,” he said. Beijing has therefore introduced steps to cap vehicular growth and advocate public transport as it strives to build a world city that is cultural, technological and green. The city is aiming for 1,000 kilometres of metro lines, building homes and refining its housing policies to accommodate a growing tide of immigrants from rural areas. “We are trying to achieve an overall balance, which is to prevent too much concentration in the city areas,” said Mr Zhou of the city’s efforts to provide opportunities for newcomers and viable livelihoods for local communities.

SUSTAINING CITIES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY “Our cities’ problems are the solution: cities can be more sustainable in the kind of environment we are in if we make all the efforts that are required in the density, the concentration, the common facilities, the common access, all the links and also the way we create wealth and develop education.”

BRUNO BERTHON Global Managing Director, Accenture Sustainability Services, Accenture

Mr Berthon highlighted the need to reconcile the long-term viability of resources with policies that boost a city’s attractiveness to businesses and skilled workers in a time of transition from manufacturing economies to service-oriented environments. Technology can facilitate such urban transformations by linking people, providing data, monitoring trends and bridging distance. “One of the big trends we see as a hope, as providing solutions, will be leveraging technology and finding ways for cities and administrations to understand how to use technology,” he said, “because very often they are not the environments where technology is the most common”.

CITIES UNDER GLOBAL PRESSURE “Cities understand that smart investments are investments in energy efficiency and future-oriented solutions.”

KONRAD OTTO-ZIMMERMANN Secretary-General, ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability)

Striking a more pessimistic note, Mr Otto-Zimmermann pondered the future of cities on a horizon of rapidly growing populations, severe resource constraints and the added pressure of climate change, which he warned could cross an irreversible tipping point whereby the release of greenhouse gases becomes an accelerating cycle. “Cities would come under extreme pressure and I see this as a main concern,” he said, adding that many cities have, therefore, taken the initiative to implement voluntary climate action in the absence of national or transnational momentum. He also pointed out that many cities are over-investing in car-oriented infrastructure. “When you plan for public transport and non-motorised transport, then you can bring costs and maintenance costs for the future down,” he said.

“This has been a truly outstanding panel. Our panellists managed to raise all the fundamental questions that need to be addressed. We may not have found the answers, but we succeeded in raising the right questions.” PROF. KISHORE MAHBUBANI (MODERATOR) Dean, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore

CLOSING PLENARY, 3 JULY 2012

INTEGRATED URBAN STRATEGIES FOR LIVEABLE AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES The Closing Plenary of the World Cities Summit 2012 was a platform for senior leaders from the government, non-government and business sectors to share their visions and the way forward. As moderator Ambassador Burhan Gafoor put it, the challenges faced by cities are vast, multiple, multi-faced and interconnected, and cities need to deal with these challenges holistically, using an integrated urban strategy. To the speakers, he posed the question, “What are the key ingredients of a successful and integrated urban strategy?” The Closing Plenary also featured a learned summary of the event by Dr Liu Thai Ker, Rapporteur-of-Summit, who connected the dots between the themes and stories shared over the previous three days. Guest-of-Honour Grace Fu, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, delivered the closing address, bringing to a close the formal proceedings of this edition of the World Cities Summit.

“Sustainability and liveability is a journey, a process, not an endpoint. With careful balancing and optimisation of the environmental, social and economic objectives, cities can seize the opportunities of urbanisation, realise the dreams of its people, provide opportunities that they can look forward to and tackle its challenges systematically.” GRACE FU (GUEST-OF-HONOUR) Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Singapore

SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH LEADERSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP “Collaboration and partnerships across different sectors of society are essential elements in the strategic work towards liveable and sustainable cities.”

FLEMMING BORRESKOV President, International Federation for Housing and Planning

To answer the question of what makes for a successful integrated urban solution, Mr Borreskov gave the example of Sustania, a Scandinavia-led project which raises awareness of large scale solutions for sustainable societies. Sustania has produced a catalogue of 100 existing solutions from 56 countries, which fulfil the criteria of being ready, scaleable, collaborative, transformative, cost-effective, having a positive environmental impact and increasing the quality of life for all. Apart from these criteria, Mr Borreskov stressed the importance of leadership, by political and city leaders as well as community groups, corporations and civil society partners. These stakeholders, he added, must work together in partnership so that cities can respond quickly and proactively to current challenges. “Cities are our future,” he stated. “The vast majority of people on the planet will live in the cities 20, 30, 40 years from now. We should try to design, create and build those cities not from a helicopter perspective but from people’s perspectives, from the human perspective”.

INCLUSIVENESS, COMPETITIVENESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY “Unless we look at this in a holistic way, we will not be able to do a good job.”

DR BINDU LOHANI Vice-President, Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development, Asian Development Bank (ADB)

There is much work to do in Asia, noted Dr Lohani, who observed that few cities in the region, apart from Hong Kong, Singapore, those in Japan and some in Korea and China, are truly liveable or sustainable. This situation arose partly because in the past, the bulk of investments in urban areas went into the high profile transport, water and energy sectors, leaving other sectors neglected. Leadership changes also resulted in an absence of continuity in city master planning. This lack of comprehensive urban planning and leadership resulted in uneven growth and the rise of slums, particularly in smaller cities. To move forward, he believes integrated urban planning must be based on three ingredients: inclusiveness, so that nobody is left out; competitiveness, as cities must create jobs; and environmental sustainability. He concluded by saying, “With all the knowledge that we have gathered in this summit, we can have the confidence that we have enough know-how to be able to do one thing, that is, how do we retrofit the existing cities which are not sustainable and liveable. I hope we will be able to do this and I personally think we can.”

“We can make a difference through integrated urban strategies.” AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR (MODERATOR) Chief Negotiator for Climate Change, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore

A HOLISTIC VIEW OF URBAN INVESTMENTS “We need to prioritise integrated investment, we need that to be sustainable, but fundamentally, we need to make sure that we are looking at all these projects together, analysing them together.”

JAMES STEWART Chairman, Global Infrastructure, KPMG

Mr Stewart outlined five key ingredients for success. Leadership was foremost. Next was the impetus to action and a common purpose that a major event such as an international sports tournament can bring to a city. Third, apply integrated planning on a greenfield site. Funding should also be centralised, so that different departments are forced to work together. Finally, people have to change the way they think about cities and how they evaluate infrastructure investments within cities. For instance, a new metro project should be evaluated on a holistic spectrum of criteria other than the traditional cost-benefit analysis, so that the investment is linked to urban regeneration, job creation, connecting different communities and energising private sector partnerships. “Don’t forget the 30 per cent of people who live in slums because a big part of this investment is improving the quality of people’s lives, not just creating better lives for those who already have things,” he added. “We just can’t carry on with the existing structures, the existing silos. Everybody, and that includes the private sector supply side but also the government side, has to change the way they operate to cope with this complete step change in the level of investment.”

PICTURING THE SUMMIT “A city is a living organism in constant flux, evolving and adapting all the time.”

DR LIU THAI KER Chairman, Centre for Liveable Cities and Director, RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd

In his role as Rapporteur-of-Summit, Dr Liu offered four mental pictures that arose from the various plenaries and forums. The first was a consensus about the broad trends affecting cities and urbanisation. “Urbanisation, we all agree, is unstoppable,” he said. “Instead of stopping growth, we have to find ways to deal with the growth and to make cities green and good.” This means that cities have to think long term and deliver a good environment, which is essential for competitiveness and a higher quality of life. “Cities are complex and a closely related system of many systems,” he added. “There are many connecting parts, each with specific functions like housing, transportation, environment, etc., and a shock to any one part can affect other parts.” The second picture is that urbanisation takes place by design and not by chance. Careful, long-term planning is hence essential to make cities functional, sustainable, resilient, liveable and creative. The third picture features good governance, which Dr Liu explained was the first foundation step to any urban endeavour. A good city government also supports capacity building at all levels and engages citizens and other groups to work towards urban renewal. The final picture, spatial planning, involves a blueprint that is always self-renewing, self-reinventing and never ending. Cities, said Dr Liu, have to create a blueprint, namely a concept or strategic plan that brings about responsible choices, planning for needs rather than for capabilities, and optimal resource allocation.

“The city is our future. It’s a concentration of people who create networks, bring new ideas and innovation, generate economic growth and in turn, attract more people.” DR LIU THAI KER (RAPPORTEUR-OF-SUMMIT) Chairman, Centre for Liveable Cities and Director, RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd

IN CONVERSATION, 2 JULY 2012

HELEN CLARK ON GOVERNANCE IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

A new plenary-level dialogue session at the World Cities Summit, In Conversation is a unique opportunity to hear the experience of a leader who is actively shaping the global landscape of cities and urban development.

HELEN CLARK • Administrator for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which administers UN programmes and funds devoted to development.

The speaker, Helen Clark, began by sharing about the goals of the recent Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. She observed that various communities, civil society organisations, local and sub-national governments are “way out ahead” of many national governments in working towards these commitments. “I think the role of cities, towns and cities is incredibly important and so often now we see towns and cities actually ahead of a number of national governments in terms of the vision they have for sustainable development,” she remarked.

• Chair of the United Nations Development Group, a committee of UN leaders and departments working on development issues.

She added that despite the challenges cities face, there are also opportunities. “Let’s not see cities as problems,” she said. “Cities are huge opportunities. Cities are sources of innovation, of creativity. They can be the drivers of prosperity and better living standards for the whole country. So let’s work with cities to maximise their potential for the people.”

• Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms, from 1999 to 2008, during which the country transformed to become more globalised, competitive, green and inclusive. Her government also helped to bring about a historical settlement of grievances with the indigenous Maori peoples. • Keen mountaineer and collector of teddy bears.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: HELEN CLARK IN DIALOGUE AT WCS 2012

“If we want to integrate the systems of transport and energy and water, we need cities that have stronger levels of city governance. Is there an agenda that we can promote together with the UN to improve urban governance so more cities can be more smart?” Greg Clark, Chairman of the OECD LEED Forum and Senior Fellow of the Urban Land Institute

Helen Clark: “This has to be an inclusive process. We have to be listening to our public, what is the future they want, what’s the vision for the city – so we can build capacity in the institutions, the people, the accountability, and there’s that all important ingredient of leadership, because no vision was ever realised without leadership and that needs to be supported and nurtured too.”

“You touched on building capacities. Could you please share with us what these capacities are and how you think UNDP can work together with cities to do this?” Cheong Suk Wai, Journalist, The Straits Times

Helen Clark: “I think the importance of cities being seen as a source of and driver of solutions is absolutely critical. Leadership is critical, building the city government’s capacities to do this planning, building the service delivery capacity, recognising that private-public partnerships are going to be very critical, looking at the role of civil society, NGOs, and always keeping in touch with the citizens. Autocracy in cities isn’t going to work, it’s going to need enlightened and participatory governance to take it forward.”

“About five years ago, the Asian Development Bank did a report together with Professor Tommy Koh where we looked at water in Asia. We recognised that the problems are not so much to do with physical scarcity or even lack of funding, but more to do with governance. Governance cuts across various domains, so what is your vision for the region to really improve governance across sectors?” Dr Seetharam Kallidaikurichi, Director, Institute of Water Policy, Singapore

Helen Clark: “In development, to make things stick, to make them durable, to make them sustainable, you cannot neglect the quality of governance. I was in the West African nation of Niger in February and it is experiencing another devastating drought just two years after the last devastating drought. Their level of resilience is understandably pretty shaken and I went with the UN’s Emergency Relief Coordinator to two villages. One had had the advantage of support for water infrastructure with a large reservoir which, even a lot of months into the drought, still had water and a basic well which was functioning and a big vegetable plot which also required quite a capacity skills transfer because the people there are pastoralists. So the people there, even in the middle of a crippling drought, they were getting along. So it’s not rocket science, the difference between life and death, when you see this stark contrast and just how urgent it is to support countries to get the space for infrastructure in place and the skills which will enable the positive story to be repeated in villages and communities around the world.”

“Perhaps for the future, some thought could be given to how to build in participation from the grassroots of the world’s communities. I’m strongly in favour of taking a very inclusive approach to summits. Governments are having trouble coming to strong and binding agreements among themselves, but many of the world’s civil society organisations, communities, local and sub-national governments are way ahead. Everyone can at their own level take action which will make a difference.” HELEN CLARK

LEE KUAN YEW WORLD CITY PRIZE

URBAN CHAMPIONS

2012 LAUREATE:

CITY OF NEW YORK NEW YORK CITY WAS AWARDED THE PRIZE FOR ITS ABILITY TO RECOVER FROM THE TRAUMA OF THE 11 SEPTEMBER 2001 ATTACKS AND TRANSFORM ITSELF INTO A CITY OF PARKS, PEDESTRIAN ZONES AND FRUITFUL PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN PLANNERS, PRIVATE INVESTORS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS. A GREENER CITY

The Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize honours outstanding achievements and contributions to the creation of liveable, vibrant and sustainable urban communities. The inaugural Laureate in 2010 was Bilbao, Spain. In 2012, New York City was chosen from 61 nominations worldwide to become the second Laureate. All nominations were reviewed through a two-tier selection process made up of both the Prize Council and Nominating Committee. Six other cities and urban renewal projects were honoured with Special Mentions. A commemorative publication, Cities in Transformation, was launched during the World Cities Summit 2012. It shares the stories and lessons from the current and past Laureates and Special Mentions. The Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize is co-organised by the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore and the Centre for Liveable Cities. The Prize Laureate receives an award certificate, a gold medallion and a cash prize of S$300,000, sponsored by Keppel Corporation.

Environmental sustainability is a key thrust in New York City’s strategy to become a liveable city. To improve air quality, the city is investing in public transit, supports cleaner fuels and has retrofitted or replaced vehicles to reduce emissions. New York City has also built 450 kilometres of bicycle lanes and promoted cycling as a safe and efficient means of transport; this has doubled the number of cyclists since 2007. The formerly congested road through Times Square was made a pedestrian zone, a move that created new public spaces and raised the value of adjoining property. The city also converted an area around six abandoned piers into a new urban park with a spectacular view of Manhattan’s skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge.

RE-IMAGINING SPACES

The city was also lauded for its use of innovative zoning tools to unlock the potential of formerly derelict sites and underutilised spaces. One landmark result is the High Line in West Chelsea, a disused elevated railway track that was slated for demolition. But thanks to a combination of private activism and funding, and public investment and zoning action, the High Line was re-born as New York’s first aerial park and has sparked further private investment in this district.

LEADERSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP

The rejuvenation of New York City was led by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the city’s Departments of Transportation, City Planning and Parks and Recreation. They launched PlaNYC, an integrated and regularly reviewed blueprint charting the city’s future to 2030. Alongside this plan are close dialogues with civic groups, businesses and other stakeholders, and a willingness to support bottom-up, high-impact initiatives to inject new life into old neighbourhoods.

“Long-term planning is vital in New York City, and in other cities, too. Because with more than half the world’s people now living in cities and with three-fourths of the people on Earth expected to be city dwellers by midcentury, cities around the globe, including New York, must confront all the effects of this urban growth: in transportation, housing, public health, public safety, education, and in so many other areas.” Michael R. Bloomberg Mayor of New York City

Falcone Flyover, an elevated pathway passes between historic warehouse buildings, between West 25th and West 27th Streets, looking North. © Iwan Baan, 2011

2012 Special Mention

AHMEDABAD MUNICIPAL CORPORATION (AMC), AHMEDABAD “We have made a good beginning and have taken rapid strides in pursuance of our goal of building a stronger Ahmedabad. We have a long and more difficult path to move ahead. While Ahmedabad provides inspiration to some, we also take inspiration from other cities.” DR GURUPRASAD MOHAPATRA Municipal Commissioner, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation

Thanks to the efforts of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), India’s seventh largest city has transformed into a more liveable, equitable and sustainable metropolis. In 2005, AMC launched a plan under Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat state, to invest in urban infrastructure and the environment with a focus on inclusive development that helped the urban poor, unlocked the value of urban spaces through land reform and strengthened capacity building. One key project was the development of a Bus Rapid Transit System that runs on CNG as part of a comprehensive transport plan to link the city centre to areas inhabited by low- and middle-income residents. AMC also initiated a project to redevelop the Sabarmati Riverfront, tackling flooding and pollution while rehabilitating slums and providing new public spaces by the river. Another formerly dilapidated area, Kankaria Lake, was converted into a quality urban public space.

2012 Special Mention

AHT GROUP AG & SUN DEVELOPMENT, KHAYELITSHA “We came up with a vision: to build safe and sustainable neighbourhoods by reducing social, cultural, economic and institutional exclusions of former townships, all with the aim to improve the quality of life.” MICHAEL KRAUSE VPUU Project Leader, AHT

AHT Group and SUN Development jointly run a comprehensive Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading (VPUU) Programme in the township of Khayelitsha, with support from the German Development Bank and the City of Cape Town. Personal safety is the core focus of the VPUU Programme, which works by helping communities in informal and semi-formalised housing areas build homes that are strategically positioned to deter crime. Buildings and structures are designed to facilitate visual surveillance and security, with open, well-lit pedestrian paths. The VPUU Programme is run through intense consultations with local residents about their real needs. Young volunteers are also given training to assist their entry into the formal economy and the residents come to own their homes. Community support has been vital to sustain the Programme and similar schemes are now planned for other townships and cities in South Africa.

2012 Special Mention

BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL - URBAN RENEWAL BRISBANE “One of the big things that we have looked at in the city is engagement and taking people along with us on our journey of development.” COUNCILLOR ANGELA OWEN-TAYLOR Deputy to the Lord Mayor on International Relations & Multicultural Affairs, Brisbane City Council, Australia

Australia’s third-largest city has sloughed off urban decay, sprawl and economic stagnation to become a thriving metropolis, thanks to Urban Renewal Brisbane’s (URB) initiatives to revive local economies and revitalise the city’s riverfront. Industrial and warehouse areas in the inner city have been turned into lively mixed-use neighbourhoods and the river now serves as a link to public spaces, a popular medium of transport and site for new residential developments. By co-funding exemplary demonstration and catalyst projects, URB has gained the confidence of investors and changed attitudes towards high-density living and urban renewal. Besides public-private partnerships, the city proactively engages with local communities, which were instrumental in helping Brisbane recover after devastating floods in January 2011.

2012 Special Mention

CITY OF VANCOUVER “That’s been the secret of the success, just bringing life to the downtown.” HIS WORSHIP GREGOR ROBERTSON Mayor of Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver has successfully bucked two major North American urban trends: the intrusion of freeways into the city centre and the loss of residents to the suburbs. Instead, the city has made life in the inner city both dense and intense, with neighbourhoods that are carefully designed to reduce barriers between private, social and natural spaces. Building heights are also regulated to preserve views of the mountains and ocean that flank the city. © City of Vancouver

Putting a halt to car-oriented infrastructure, Vancouver discourages private vehicle usage and reduced the number of vehicles entering the downtown area by 25 per cent between 1996 and 2011. More than 40 per cent of the city’s residents use public transit, cycle or walk to work. These achievements arose from a combination of active citizenry, progressive leadership and planners who maintain a long-term view and are bonded by a strong set of ‘Vancouver Values.”

2012 Special Mention

CITY OF COPENHAGEN AND CITY OF MALMÖ “Our perspective is that growth and quality of life are not necessarily opposites but can be seen as pre-conditions for each other and our focus in the city of Copenhagen is on healthy, creative and green growth in order to give the citizens the best opportunity to live long, meaningful and healthy lives.” HER EXCELLENCY PIA ALLERSLEV Mayor of Culture and Leisure, City of Copenhagen, Denmark

“The future lies in a more sustainable society that’s about energy, climate change, biodiversity, sustainability from economic, social and environmental points of view.” HIS EXCELLENCY ILMAR REEPALU Mayor of Malmö, Sweden

Copenhagen and Malmö were jointly commended as a result of their close collaboration in urban development and shared vision of economic, environmental and social sustainability. The cities are separated by the Øresund Strait, but linked by Europe’s longest road and rail bridge, which is the result of a joint investment project. Both cities have pooled resources and shared public infrastructure, such as Copenhagen Airport and the Copenhagen-Malmö Port, thus benefiting at multiple scales. Both Copenhagen and Malmö are recognised as two of the most sustainable cities in the world. Copenhagen aims to be the world’s first carbon neutral city by 2025, and has embraced cycling as a primary form of commuting. Malmö, also a cycling city, has developed sustainable districts and aims to be the world’s most sustainable city by 2020.

Øresund Bridge © City of Copenhagen

A CELEBRATION OF CITIES

LEE KUAN YEW WORLD CITY PRIZE LECTURE, FORUM AND AWARD CEREMONY AND BANQUET, 2 JULY 2012 The Honourable Adrian Benepe, Commissioner of Parks & Recreation, New York City, delivered the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Lecture on 2 July. This was followed by the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Forum, a platform for the 2012 Special Mentions to share their experiences and celebrate their achievements. Forum moderator Dr Cheong Koon Hean, a Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Nominating Committee Member and CEO of Singapore’s Housing and Development Board, noted that “through this Prize we hope to facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices among cities.” The evening ended with the glittering Lee Kuan Yew Prize Award Ceremony and Banquet, graced by Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.

“We have learned from cities in Europe, from Asia. I’m astounded by what has happened here in Singapore. We can all learn from each other.” ADRIAN BENEPE Commissioner of Parks & Recreation, New York City

WORLD CITIES SUMMIT MAYORS FORUM

A MEETING OF MINDS: THE WORLD CITIES SUMMIT MAYORS FORUM, 1 JULY 2012 How can cities grow while maintaining a high quality of life? How can a competitive economy be achieved alongside a sustainable environment? Can dynamic urban governance be integrated with long-term master planning and development? These are the challenges common to cities from around the world, and at the World Cities Summit Mayors Forum 2012, more than a hundred mayors and city leaders from around the world drew inspiration from each other’s experiences and shared lessons that reflect a diversity of social, cultural and economic cityscapes.

A Framework for Liveable and Sustainable Cities Following the opening plenary session, the Mayors Forum continued across six smaller breakout sessions. Five of these centred on key themes from the Centre of Liveable Cities Framework for Liveable and Sustainable Cities: achieving a high quality of life; maintaining a competitive economy; ensuring a sustainable environment; integrated master planning and development; and dynamic urban governance. There was also a session on building liveable cities. The delegates then reconvened for the closing plenary, in which the moderators of the breakout sessions offered a summary of their discussions, before the Forum’s closing remarks.

Building a Network of Cities Mayors Forum delegates received a copy of City Portraits, a specially produced publication featuring profiles of the city leaders at the Forum and also outlining the best practices of participating cities. Leaders wishing to remain in touch with their peers or solution providers after the Forum can also do so via a virtual network at www.worldcitiessummit.com.sg/ mayorsforum.php.

“The challenges facing governors and mayors today are many. Every city is different and based on its needs, priorities and stages of development, it requires customised solutions. Focusing on the mediumto long-term policies and planning is, therefore, crucial to the pursuit of sustainable development.” LEE YI SHYAN (CHAIRPERSON OF THE WORLD CITIES SUMMIT MAYORS FORUM 2012) Minister of State for National Development and Trade & Industry, Singapore

Break-out Session 1

Break-out Session 2

This session, moderated by Lee Tzu Yang, Chairman of Shell Companies in Singapore, found that a high quality of life in cities has its foundations in good planning and infrastructure. The delegates offered the examples of bicycle lanes in Copenhagen and neighbourhood-level planning in Brisbane. They also noted the importance of systemic approaches for an entire city. “There was a recognition that for a high quality of life, we all need to look beyond the hard infrastructure and look at how people use that infrastructure and the feel-good factor about living in the city,” stated Mr Lee, noting that other than making a living, people seek quality choices for educating their children, medical care as well as avenues for sports, cultural and other leisure activities.

This session discussed two questions: what city governments can do to build a diversified economy that is resilient to economic shocks, and what they can do to address economic imbalances while maintaining competitiveness. One key observation was that city authorities do not have a monopoly power over the economy but can only act in a way which encourages and builds the market so as to draw investors, entrepreneurs, talents and capital.

ACHIEVING A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE

The participants also stressed the importance of engagement between city authorities and citizens as well as amongst citizens. The former is crucial to attracting and retaining skilled people who can contribute economically and socially to cities. On the latter, “how much do the residents of the city actually create, lead and participate in the activities of that city?” asked Mr Lee. “Many of us felt that this was crucial to building trust between people and the government, among people, and to areas such as learning to share spaces.” In this regard, city leaders have to be active negotiators and collaborators with people and organisations in their cities and state or national governments, to ensure that long-term plans and policies outlast political terms and set a city on the right trajectory.

MAINTAINING A COMPETITIVE ECONOMY

Creating a climate for economic competitiveness is vital, and moderator Greg Clark, Chairman of the OECD LEED (Local Economic and Employment Development Programme) Forum and Senior Fellow of the Urban Land Institute, stated that this climate “includes not just the business climate of tax regulation, land use, the legal system – which are all essential – but also getting the right social climate,” namely an environment that is sustainable and improves the quality of life of citizens. The delegates also agreed that environmental protection cannot be separated from economic competitiveness. Cities can also improve their economic appeal by addressing the needs of mobile populations and new arrivals with adequate housing, health care and education systems that promote literacy, inclusion and local entrepreneurship. Mr Clark added that there was a lot of discussion on “social and cultural vibrancy and the need to create a society in which people wish to participate,” and a particular focus on the “role of women as the key population group for achieving economic inclusion.”

Break-out Session 3

Break-out Session 4

How can cities integrate their various processes and systems to be smarter and greener? And how can cities make environmental protection an integral part of planning and economic development? Summing up the third session, Ambassador Burhan Gafoor, Singapore’s Chief Negotiator of Climate Change, said leadership and vision are essential to integrate efforts at the national and local levels. Furthermore, governments must integrate planning and implementation across vertical levels as well as diverse functions and subjects. Setting clear benchmarks and specific targets, such as carbon emission ceilings and public versus private transport ratios, is also vital to realising environmental sustainability.

Dr Liu Thai Ker, Chairman of the Centre for Liveable Cities and Director of RSP Architects Planners and Engineers, posed two questions: what are the challenges mayors face in undertaking long-term urban and metropolitan planning? And what local institutions and mechanisms are needed to balance competing needs and adjudicate trade-offs between different priorities? Sharing the delegates’ goals for what they wanted to improve in their cities, Dr Liu said, “Some of the key considerations are sustainability, liveability, happiness as well as economic growth with an emphasis on diversity.”

ENSURING A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT

The delegates also agreed that city governments must be led by five ‘C’s: Collaboration, Coordination, Cooperation, Communication and Community Engagement. This meant that local and national governments need to coordinate their efforts, provide platforms where collaboration can take place and reach out to other stakeholders in urban communities. On integrating environmental protection with city planning and development, Ambassador Burhan said the delegates concurred that this was not an option “but something that is absolutely crucial and essential”. Also vital are policies that protect the environment while making a positive difference in areas such as housing, hygiene and transportation. The twin challenges of population growth and financing were not forgotten, and part of the solution, said Ambassador Burhan, lies in working with partners, stakeholders and the private sector “to mobilise resources needed to catalyse action at the local level and to make lives better for the people”.

INTEGRATED MASTER PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

There is also a drive towards balanced urban development that embraces inclusiveness so that all segments of society will gain from growth. These issues, noted Dr Liu, have to be addressed alongside challenges such as population explosions, influxes of rural migrants and the overloading of infrastructure and transportation systems. Dealing with these challenges requires institutions that plan and think for the long term, and are willing and able to cooperate, added Dr Liu. “In short, it is a holistic approach that we need,” he said. Integrated planning, he added, will start off with a gamut of different opinions and ideas, some of which may be conflicting, and these need to be resolved before they are expressed spatially on a master plan and can provide a useful agenda for action.

Break-out Session 5

Break-out Session 6

Dynamic urban governance was the theme of this group, moderated by Prof. Kishore Mahbubani, Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and a member of the Centre of Liveable Cities’ advisory board. Three points of consensus emerged. The first was that urban governance must strike a balance between grassroots- and top-led approaches. Notable examples of citizen engagement that have worked include Ahmedabad, which introduced its Bus Rapid Transit System through comprehensive citizen engagement; New York City’s PlaNYC, an open plan that has room for citizens’ ideas and initiatives; and cities such as Perth, Manila and Bangkok, where social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter are used to reach out to younger people.

This session, moderated by Dr Alfonso Vegara, President of Fundación Metrópoli in Spain, considered how new liveable and sustainable cities could be built and how existing cities can use urban planning, governance and processes to attain similar results. Integrated planning emerged as a common theme, and there was agreement that factors such as competitiveness, social cohesion and environmental sustainability are integral parts of liveable cities. Cities offer a scale of operations that provides competitive advantage to companies and high quality of life to people. Their density promotes social cohesion and the integration of different cultures and ethnic groups. The future of the environment also hinges on cities, which account for the vast majority of carbon emissions. “The battle of protecting our small planet will be won or will fail at the level of cities,” stated Dr Vegara. “So this idea of an integrated approach, connecting the economy, quality of life and sustainability, was a very strong point in common for the 20 participants in our panel.”

DYNAMIC URBAN GOVERNANCE

At times, however, a top-led approach is necessary. For instance, Jakarta’s launch of a bus transit system was welcomed by the public after they saw its utility. In New York City, a plan to close off a section of Broadway to traffic met initial opposition from private quarters, until it was realised that the move was beneficial. Road pricing to ease congestion was cited as another move that was difficult to implement due to its unpopularity. City leaders, therefore, need to be very bold to avoid urban populism, and to dare to lead with scientific data and examples to educate the people and explain what needs to be done.

BUILDING LIVEABLE CITIES

Also discussed was the need to consider the soft, or creative, heart of a city alongside its hard infrastructure. Health and housing, too, were urgent concerns for megacities facing poverty and slums. Many participants also stressed the importance of identity, of a sense of belonging, participation and solidarity. “They emphasised policies to improve public space,” reported Dr Vegara. “Public space is probably the most democratic component of the city because it is used by the rich and poor, by foreigners, by locals, by immigrants, by people living many generations in that place, so public space is a way of integrating people.”

MANAGING CHANGE, EVOLVING ROLES AND INNOVATIVE LEADERSHIP As summed up by Forum moderator Greg Clark, three principal points emerged from the Mayors Forum discussions: 1. A near-universal agreement that the dynamics of urbanisation form the key challenge facing the world in the 21st century. 2. The Framework for Liveable and Sustainable Cities effectively addressed contemporary urban challenges, and was very helpful to the discussions. 3. Innovative leadership and the ability to plan for the long-term are essential to creating and catalysing sustainable solutions.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;City government was not invented for the kinds of challenge cities now face, and therefore a framework that creates a new science, a new art for city making and city building is absolutely key and something that enables city government to evolve from being an administrative arrangement to something that can really manage and shape the dynamics of change.â&#x20AC;? GREG CLARK

“I found WCS Mayors Forum to be a very beneficial exchange of best practices and an opportunity to network with peers on the major issues facing cities today.” ROY D. BUOL

“The WCS Forum is a great enabling opportunity for mayors and those involved in all aspects of cities to connect and learn from one another.” Lisa Scaffidi

“This is a great opportunity to exchange good practices and get to meet people who are rebuilding cities, and making liveable and sustainable cities.” HIS EXCELLENCY SILVIO FRANÇA TORRES

“We hope that introducing the best practices and accomplishments of Tokyo to other cities and sharing ways major cities address common challenges will enable us all to discover concrete solutions to issues. We also hope to make the most of this precious opportunity to exchange information and build networks with government and corporate leaders, and experts from around the world.” Shintaro Ishihara

Mayor of Dubuque, Iowa, USA

Secretary of Housing for the State of São Paulo, Brazil

“I attended the Mayors Forum and learned a lot from other mayors and city managers who talked about how their cities developed and challenges they faced, as they share experiences, that’s excellent for me to learn and I hope we can benefit from what we learned today for the future.” Dr Liu Bao Chuan

Lord Mayor of Perth, Australia

Governor of Tokyo Metropolis, Japan

Director General of Foreign Affairs Office of Guangzhou Municipal Government, China

FLAGSHIP URBAN SOLUTION TRACKS AND IN-FOCUS FORUMS

FLAGSHIP URBAN SOLUTION TRACKS, 3 JULY 2012

INTENSE CITIES – ACHIEVING LEVELS OF URBAN INTENSITY, NOT MERELY DENSITY Cities are, by nature, centres of population density. But does this equate to intensity, namely the quality and depth of interactions, the diversity of activities, and the power of places to inspire people and spark a unique ‘buzz’? What are the traits and trends that distinguish a city with ‘buzz’, and can such an environment be achieved through deliberate design and planning strategies? These questions occupied the speakers of a session dedicated to the topic of intense cities.

“Intensity is all about human interaction. It’s about you and me and everyone in this room and how we relate the frequency and above all the intensity of our exchanges. It’s all about these human exchanges which may then result in something special happening, which is essentially innovation and creativity.” Prof. Sir Peter Hall (Moderator), Bartlett Professor of Planning and Regeneration, University College London

INTENSITY THROUGH AGE, ARTS AND SHARED COMMITMENT “When you are in an intense place, you know you are there – you can feel it.”

PROF. MARILYN JORDAN TAYLOR Dean and Paley Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Design

What is an intense city? According to Prof. Taylor, one element is age, which she meant “the layers of time, the experience, the contrast and the place itself”. Shanghai, Berlin and Havana, for instance, are cities where an intensity of interactions arose from “being in a place of age and wan that acquires patina”. Arts and culture are also part of intense cities. Prof. Taylor gave the examples of Barcelona in Spain, where the buildings reflect an artistic investment in the place, and Chicago in the United States, where a new interactive Crown Fountain has become a social and community hub. Intensity also arises from a sense of shared commitment beyond individual pursuits as well as temporality, which is a sense of intensity that changes across time, across a day, across seasons and the years.

PLANNING FOR A DENSE CITY-STATE “A good urban environment cannot totally rely on good planning. It needs good management and public education.”

Prof. Anthony G. O. Yeh Chair Professor and Head, Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong

Prof. Yeh shared about the challenges of planning for a city that is both dense, with about 6,400 people per square kilometre, and intense. Dense development is a matter of necessity in land-scarce Hong Kong. This can lead to overcrowding and social pathologies, but good design and layering of buildings to mitigate the heat island effect and improve lighting and ventilation, along with clean, well-managed living and working environments, can emolliate these feelings. Hong Kong’s strong focus on public transit has also helped to soften the impact of high density. Prof. Yeh added that the city makes multiple use of land, such as building rooftop gardens on a car park or converting roads into public spaces during weekends.

CREATING A COMPETITIVE AND LIVEABLE CITY “The work to make Singapore a success and intense city is a never-ending one.”

NG LANG

CEO, Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore

Singapore has combined a dense, urbanised population with a competitive economy that is a major financial, trading centre and manufacturing base. At the same time, the island has become one of Asia’s most liveable and green cities. These achievements resulted, as Mr Ng put it, “through policies and urban planning that paid attention to economic, social and environment outcomes and not growth at all costs”. Greenery and heritage also play a role in conveying depth, and some of the city’s natural and built heritage has been conserved to instil a sense of home and belonging. Singapore has also developed new downtown districts like Marina Bay that incorporate a mix of residential, commercial, retail and entertainment facilities to create buzz around the clock.

BRINGING LIFE BACK TO THE CITY CENTRE “The city is a 24-hour city. It caters to different people at different times of the day.”

PETER HOLLAND

Director, Urbis Pty Ltd and Chairman, Urban Land Institute Australia

Melbourne has a low population density, but the city is growing fast and Mr Holland saw a challenge in accommodating this growth while making the city liveable. To move beyond a “nine-to-five commute city”, Melbourne’s planners transformed the central business district into an activities district where people can live, dine, play and interact. To encourage people to move back downtown, the city converted old office buildings into residential units and is promoting bicycling through bike lanes, bike sharing and bike networks. “We encourage street art, believe it or not,” said Mr Holland, “and funnily enough one of the greatest tourist attractions to the city of Melbourne now is street art.” Adding to the buzz is Melbourne’s status as a university city and its growth as a major events centre, with the F1 Grand Prix, Australian Open tennis championship, a horse-racing carnival as well as festivals for wine, comedy, film and fashion.

INTENSE CITIES ARE SUSTAINABLE CITIES “Intensity and sustainability have to go together because you can’t make the economics work without making sure that you are reducing your carbon emissions on a per capita basis. Successful cities are having to balance that dynamic.”

JAMES CLOSE

Partner, Sustainability & Cleantech Services, Ernst & Young

Intensity makes cities competitive, but how can this be done in a sustainable way? Posing this question, Mr Close pointed out the fact that talented people and capital are more mobile than ever and cities must, therefore, provide an eco-system that promotes entrepreneurship, attracts investments and supports innovation. Many cities now realise that sustainability can help deliver long-term economic growth, high quality job creation, energy security and cuttingedge competitiveness, he added. To achieve this, cities have taken steps such as delivering green transport systems, reducing carbon emissions and cutting energy consumption. But only a few cities have been bold enough to offer tax credits for specific green initiatives, he pointed out. “The journey towards a low-carbon, more resource-efficient world has already begun,” he concluded, “and intense cities have a pivotal role to play in this global transition and can use it to create sustainable vision for success”.

FLAGSHIP URBAN SOLUTION TRACKS, 3 JULY 2012

ECO CITIES – FAD OR A SUSTAINABLE OPTION? The concept of eco-cities arose back in the 1970s when a group of Californians sought to make their cities and communities more liveable and sustainable. It was also a reaction to earlier urbanisation patterns, which had resulted in suburban sprawl and an overreliance on private vehicles. How have cities, in the decades that followed, lived up to that concept and what are they doing to make life more sustainable and eco-friendly? The speakers at the Eco-Cities Flagship Urban Solution Tracks session offer a wealth of insights and ideas.

“How do we make the existing city with its own characteristics greener, more sustainable, more socially inclusive?” Nicholas You (Moderator), Chairman, UII Assurance Group, World Business Council for Sustainable Development

WORKING HAND-IN-HAND: URBAN PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS “We really need to integrate sustainability from the start when we design new buildings and we need to keep sustainability in place in the later phases of production, building, managing, demolishing and pulling down.”

PROF. JACQUELINE CRAMER

Director, Utrecht Sustainability Institute, The Netherlands

Megacities exert an environmental toll through carbon emissions and pollution, impacts that are driving a search for more sustainable alternatives. The good news, though, according to Prof. Cramer, is that cities don’t have to start from scratch. Technologies for sustainable lifestyles already exist, such as houses that generate energy through their activities, domestic rainwater collection systems, and electric cars that can be plugged into charging points. “Urban planning and sustainable innovations go hand-in-hand,” she stated. Planners can also help drive change in the corporate sector by removing barriers, creating level playing fields and promoting innovation. “Very importantly, they can include sustainability in procurement requirements,” she said. “But they have to leave room for the companies to really make the right choices – the government formulates the objectives but it is up to the companies to find the right means”.

GOING FOR GREEN GROWTH “It was not a habit of Parisians to use bikes. Now it has even become sort of fashionable to actually use a bike in Paris.”

JOAQUIM OLIVEIRA MARTINS

Head of Division, Regional Development Policy, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Exploring the link between smart cities, eco-cities and green growth, Mr Martins rejected the idea that growth and the environment are trade-offs. Policy integration and alignment between government bodies are crucial to drive this nexus and ensure that growth is inclusive at the city level. “This sort of synergy between green and growth comes from the fact at the city scale you find that environmental quality is a factor of economic efficiency and attractiveness,” he stressed. A related factor is density, which involves a balance between compact, energy-efficient cities and the existence of low-rise sprawls. “Currently in many OECD countries, the tax system is not green and actually favours the broader economy,” he added. With a more eco-friendly tax system, cities can “grow in a much smarter way through, for example, mixed-use development and transitoriented development”.

INNOVATION AND INTEGRATED PLANNING: SINGAPORE’S GREENPRINT FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES “We have to work with the community. Green towns need green people. So we are getting our students, our residents, involved because we can only provide the hardware but we need the people to activate the place-making activities and the software.”

DR CHEONG KOON HEAN CEO, Housing & Development Board (HDB), Singapore

Singapore approached the planning of an eco-city by integrating the goals of economic, social and environmental sustainability. One consequence is a decentralisation of economic activity to bring jobs closer to homes and reduce traffic in the city centre. Public transport, in an expanding rail network and congestion pricing for cars, is actively promoted. Quality of life is also emphasised, with growing park spaces and a park connector network. Singapore is also aiming to reduce its carbon emissions, while water scarcity is being dealt partly through investments into desalinisation technologies. Landfill waste is minimised via incineration and a strong recycling drive. And in Punggol Eco-Town, the HDB has built a sustainable waterfront estate surrounded by waterways and parks. Referring to the HDB’s plans to retrofit existing towns as a “greenprint”, Dr Cheong said, “With 82 per cent of Singapore’s population living in HDB towns, if we can make all our HDB towns more sustainable, then I believe Singapore will be able to achieve many of its national sustainable targets”.

THE MAKING OF AN ECO-CITY “What we are trying to create is a high quality sustainable city where residents can work, play and learn all in a resource-efficient, environmentally friendly and socially harmonious way. This in a nutshell is the eco-city that we are building in Tianjin.”

HO TONG YEN

CEO, Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Investment and Development Co., Ltd, Singapore

Sharing the experience of an eco-city in the making, Mr Ho explained that Tianjin Eco-City, due for completion in 2020, is a master plan for a new city covering 30 square kilometres and supporting 300,000 people, built not on farmland or fragile ecosystems, but on non-arable plots, deserted salt pans and polluted waterways. In addition, the Eco-City is designed to be practical, scalable and replicable in China and elsewhere in the world. And though initiated by governments, the project operates on a commercial basis with private partners, who have built and sold green homes as well as invested in research and production facilities. In Tianjin EcoCity, wasteland is being replaced by landscaped streets, green buildings and homes equipped with solar panels. An eco-valley connects the major city centres, allowing residents to easily walk or cycle to business and industrial parks. “Most of one’s daily needs can be met within walking distance,” said Mr Ho. To measure its progress, several key performance indicators are used, including the proportion of green buildings, public housing, a native vegetation index, noise and air pollution ceilings, and renewable energy utilisation rates.

FLAGSHIP URBAN SOLUTION TRACKS, 3 JULY 2012

BIODIVERSE CITIES – SUSTAINING A MODEL OF CO-EXISTENCE Humans share the earth with more than 1.5 million animal species and 400,000 species of flowering plants. Some species have thrived as cities grew, while many others face extinction from habitat loss or overexploitation for food or raw materials. At the same time, the value of biodiversity is gaining recognition as a source of new ideas, emotional health and social well-being, and as an essential part of liveable and sustainable cities. What can cities do to ensure that biodiversity is protected amid urban developments? In this session, leaders, corporations and technical experts offer a wealth of ideas and examples of how nature can be nurtured within cities.

“In previous cities summits you would never have had or expected to see a session on biodiversity, so hopefully this is a harbinger for even more such initiatives in the future.” Dr Shawn Lum (Moderator), President, Nature Society (Singapore)

BIODIVERSITY IN THE URBAN LANDSCAPE “Singapore has shown that urbanisation and biodiversity can coexist. This does not mean that it is easy. It takes planning, hard work and collaboration among city authorities, among businesses and most importantly, the entire community to address this multidisciplinary challenge.”

DR LAWRENCE LEONG Deputy CEO, National Parks Board (NParks), Singapore

Speaking on behalf of Poon Hong Yuen, CEO of the National Parks Board, Dr Leong pointed out that cities need not be viewed as a threat to biodiversity but as part of the solution. Singapore is an example of a city where much biodiversity exists amid an urban environment. “We have a land area of 710 square kilometres in which can be found 2,000 species of native vascular plants, 355 species of birds, 282 species of butterflies and 57 mammal species,” he revealed. By adopting a long-term, integrated approach in land-use planning, Singapore has increased its greenery cover from 36 per cent in 1986 to 47 per cent in 2007, becoming a city in a garden. Other efforts include protecting biodiversity in nature reserves, reforestation projects, the reintroduction of native species and the creation of a 300-kilometre park connector to provide access to green spaces nationwide.

HOW CITIES MEASURE UP IN BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION “We breathe in and out oxygen all the time and we take for granted it’s the trees that actually provide the oxygen and we don’t pay a single cent for it. So these are the ecosystem services that we have discounted because it’s not put into the monetary system or economic system.”

DR LENA CHAN

Deputy Director, National Biodiversity Centre, National Parks Board (NParks), Singapore

To measure the effectiveness of efforts to protect biodiversity at a city level, the idea of a global City Biodiversity Index emerged in 2008. With technical help from Singapore’s National Parks Board, the index was finalised in 2011 and is being applied in more than 50 cities. The index, explained Dr Chan, entails a profile of the city, including its climate and eco-zone, and a quantitative component that looks at what native biodiversity exists, the ecosystem services provided by these nature areas, and how this biodiversity is being managed.

BUILDING NATURE INTO CITIES “The ideal thing will not just be a city in the garden but a city in the forest.”

PROF. PETER NEWMAN Professor of Sustainability, Curtin University, Australia

Speaking on how biodiversity can be reconciled with dense cities, Prof. Newman pointed out that preserving green spaces between buildings can result in sprawl, which in turn engulfs nature in the suburbs. “It’s not actually saving a lot of nature and a lot of cities have spread outside and engulfed and destroyed a lot of nature,” he said. Buildings should hence not be separated from nature but become part of it. Biophilic cities, he concluded, will have community gardens and incorporate nature into the design of buildings. “Even on a very vertical, dense city like Singapore, you can have a rich natural world”.

BIODIVERSITY IS GOOD BUSINESS “Financial institutions, investment banks and expert credit agencies are beginning to integrate biodiversity elements into conditions for lending to large infrastructural developments such as oil and gas projects.”

EDGAR CHUA

Country Chairman, Shell Companies in the Philippines

Mr Chua spoke on the need for “a stronger business case for biodiversity conservation” and public-private partnerships that mobilise businesses, experts and other stakeholders around a shared vision. “There are strategic, operational, reputational and financial reasons for Shell to focus on biodiversity,” he said. “Shell currently has around 100 biodiversity-related projects worldwide ranging from conservation, science and environmental education to capacity building and communication projects”.

A HOSPITAL IN A NATURAL HABITAT “This is what we, more or less, have tried to achieve: it’s to eventually become a hospital within a tropical rainforest.”

LIAK TENG LIT

Group CEO, Alexandra Health, Singapore

Mr Liak shared how Singapore’s Khoo Teck Puat Hospital embraced the nature of its surroundings and thus benefited its patients and the wider community. Built in 2010 on a plot next to an old storm pond, the hospital features green balconies and a rooftop vegetable garden maintained by nearby residents. Windows are placed so that patients can see the greenery from their beds and the architecture was designed to blend in with the neighbourhood. With help from volunteers and other agencies, the pond is now a haven for wildlife and the centre of a popular neighbourhood park.

MALMÖ’S MOVE FROM SHIPYARD TO ECOSPHERE “Even on our Opera House, we have beehives up on top of the roof singing their songs and we think that is wonderful.”

HIS EXCELLENCY ILMAR REEPALU

Mr Reepalu revealed that biodiversity was far from the minds of his fellow citizens 50 years ago, when Malmö was an industrial city. But today, Malmö is a landscape of nature preserves, green corridors and houses with green canopies and ponds. Biodiversity infuses the city’s planning processes, which incorporate biodiversity as a key consideration. For instance, an old limestone quarry near the city was not developed but designated a nature reserve as much wildlife had settled in the area. “Today, people from the city can go there in guided tours,” said Mr Reepalu.

Mayor of Malmö, Sweden

FLAGSHIP URBAN SOLUTION TRACKS, 3 JULY 2012

SMART CITIES – HARNESSING DATA AND TECHNOLOGY, IMPROVING EFFICIENCY Many cities are trying to work and think smart, by actively seeking out more efficient ways to coordinate functions, analyse data, anticipate problems and organise resources. They are also trying to integrate novel technologies to make their operations more effective and optimise resource allocation. This session explored the current approaches, models and best practices of intelligent cities, and how information technologies are shaping their infrastructure and people’s behaviour.

“We can arrive to a sort of common idea of what a smart city is. It’s about using information in a smart way, joining the dots, interpreting that information to help develop services which are integrated, interconnected and deliver those services to improve the lives of your citizens for energy efficiency, for more sustainable cities.” Warren Fernandez (Moderator), Editor, The Straits Times, Singapore

CONNECTIVITY, INTEGRATION AND STANDARDISATION “A smart city should be one that is harnessing technology data with very strong government support, where demand and supply meet efficiently as well as sustainably.”

TAY HUN KIAT

CEO, Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City Investment and Development Co., Ltd, Singapore

The harnessing of technology and data should be the main thrust of smart cities, according to Mr Tay, who defines such cities as places with a high living standard that are affordable, reliable and offer a conducive environment for enterprise. Government services for residents and businesses would also be efficient. Mr Tay expects to see some US$1.8 billion invested into smart cities over the next decade and 40 to 50 smart-city developments. Connectivity and integration, he added, can also be boosted by standardisation. Also essential is a cultural shift in thinking by governments, who must be willing to share information and data to streamline processes and achieve greater efficiency in serving their communities.

CITIES THAT SENSE AND RESPOND SMARTLY “Our cities are starting to behave like the F1 racing car. They have been covered, layered with many digital types of information, with sensors, with networks.”

PROF. CARLO RATTI Director, MIT SENSEable City Lab, USA

“Smart cities are responsive to citizens,” said Prof. Ratti, who compared smart cities to a Formula 1 car, in which thousands of sensors collect data in real time to make decisions. Even trash can be smart, he said, citing a project in Seattle that tracked the passage of electronic waste using RFID chips. Another example was Copenhagen Wheel, a smart system in Denmark that captures energy from cycling and provides data on traffic conditions. This project showed that by enhancing the experience of the city and giving access to useful information, people will change their behaviour to make the most of it. Open access to data can empower citizens and improve their lives, but he warned that digital systems run the risk of failure with serious consequences if they are not resilient and robust enough to withstand viruses and shocks.

USING INFORMATION TO PLAN AND PREDICT “A smart city must provide better services to citizens and must manage its resources better.”

DR GURUDUTH BANAVAR Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Global Public Sector, IBM Corporation

Information, declared Dr Banavar, is the new resource and key to a city’s digital infrastructure. Given the sheer volume of data generated every year, smart cities need technologies to make sense of that information in order to make better decisions. For example, data on traffic volumes and movement patterns can improve inner city transportation. Information about buildings and infrastructure can help in the delivery of emergency services. “Such information,” he said, “can contribute to new transportation models, energy grids and social networks that help planners analyse trends and deploy resources where they are needed”. Ultimately, this information, if wellintegrated and organised, allows cities to plan ahead, make smarter decisions and respond to major events more effectively.

THE BACKBONE OF A SMART CITY “ICT or information technology is a common cross-cutting enabler, enabling infrastructure that brings together the different urban infrastructures to enable interconnectedness, to enable intelligence.”

RONNIE TAY

CEO, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore

Mr Tay identified three fundamental elements in smart cities. First was the use of information technology to provide services such as location-based data, smart buildings and smart grids. Secondly, he saw a need for greater coordination and integration between city-level domains such as transport, water and electricity. Finally, cities must find ways to manage and analyse the data they have to recognise patterns of economic and human activity. “I think there is great potential to leverage on ICT to meet the goals of a smart city both in transforming the vertical domains such as education, healthcare and consumer services as well as in leveraging ICT as a common infrastructure as the backbone for sensors, for data and for services to be built on top of it,” he said.

INTELLIGENT SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY “A smart city is one with a well-conceived energy efficiency strategy.”

YASUYUKI SHINTANI

General Manager, Energy Solutions Development Center, Panasonic Corporation

As demand surges for energy, energy solutions and security against natural risks are topmost on the agenda of many cities. Mr Shintani shared Panasonic’s concept of smart and sustainable cities, which involves solutions in which energy savings play a part in energy creation, and enable homes and other buildings to form networks that achieve greater efficiency. There is also a role for public-private partnerships. Mr Shintani gave the example of a collaboration with Hitachi in Tianjin Eco-City, where the two companies are developing a community energy management system. In Singapore, Panasonic has worked with three agencies to test energy solutions for Punggol Eco-Town involving smart meters and a smart grid. The human factor cannot be ignored too, as he remarked, “To achieve smart cities, we need to convince users how these technologies will benefit them without compromising their comfort”.

FLAGSHIP URBAN SOLUTION TRACKS, 3 JULY 2012

MOBILE CITIES – IN SEARCH OF NEW URBAN MOBILITY MODELS Helping people, goods and ideas move within and between cities is a task that fuels the economy and builds human connections. As road congestion reaches breaking point, how can cities maintain mobility and sustain the investments needed to drive new urban transport models? Such questions were addressed in this session, which also saw the announcement of a partnership between the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) and Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) to establish a Centre of Transport Excellence (CTE) for the Asia Pacific and launch a new event, the Singapore International Transport Congress and Exhibition 2013.

“When we talk about city planning, one of the very challenging aspects has got to do with mobility planning or transport planning.” Chew Hock Yong (Moderator), Chief Executive, Land Transport Authority, Singapore

GREEN GROWTH THROUGH PUBLIC TRANSPORT “Liveable cities are only possible with public transport.”

Alain Flausch

Secretary-General, International Association of Public Transport (UITP)

Reaffirming the integral role of public transport, Mr Flausch said, “If we are looking for a new urban mobility system, public transport should be part of the solution.” Cities have to choose between further developing their road systems and a more collective transport solution. The latter is better, because public transport, besides moving people, also drives the economy forward while helping to tackle the environmental challenges faced by cities. Public transport thus provides a backbone for mobility in dense cities that reconciles economic needs, by creating jobs and infrastructural investments, with environmental priorities, by lowering energy costs and improving health, which Mr Flausch pointed out, “is the very definition of green growth”.

Scaling new links between cities “Even if we improve the quality of the buses, trains, cars, at the end of the day you need to connect humans, people, physical spaces and you need to share this space.”

Dr Alfonso Vegara President, Fundación Metrópoli, Madrid, Spain

Cities in the 21st century operate on a vastly larger scale than ever before and planners, therefore, have to look beyond the borders of traditional municipalities to explore the links between growing cities. Dr Vegara shared research into links in and within the world’s megacities. In North America, for instance, the density of roads, airport connections and high-speed railways are making possible new levels of cooperation as well as competition, as people can easily shuttle between major coastal cities. New transport links can help cities expand their economic space beyond traditional boundaries, connecting people, companies and minds through technology and, increasingly, green modes of transportation. “The scale of cities is not the municipality anymore,” he said. “The new scale of thinking, of cooperation and competition between cities, will require new mechanisms, new ways of connecting these cities”.

Integrating transport into urban policy “Mobility is a fundamental right for human beings.”

Prof. Pan Haixiao

Professor, Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai, China

“We need to be connected to jobs, services and with the community,” said Prof. Pan. Rapid urbanisation can lead to excessive motorisation and pollution, a problem faced by cities such as Shanghai, which has invested in 13 metro lines and curtailed car growth. The 2010 World Expo, which drew millions of visitors, also provided the impetus to improve the city’s public transport. Prof. Pan added that the city’s transport network has become quite diversified, with many tram routes as well as dedicated lanes for two-wheelers. So while the cost of private transport has increased for car owners, lower-income citizens, who use motorbikes, bicycles or public transit, still find it affordable to get around the city. Shanghai’s experience, he concluded, shows that government intervention is very important in the early stages of urban development. “We should encourage multi-motor transport systems, or integrate multimodal transport assistance, and also integrate decisions on land use,” he said.

Making public transport a national agenda “There’s a limit to how many highways we can build.”

Mohd Nur Ismal Bin Mohamed Kamal CEO, Land Public Transport Commission, Malaysia

Transforming public transport has become a key agenda for Malaysia as part of the nation’s Vision 2020 goal to become a fully-developed country, said Mr Mohd Nur Ismal. With 11 million cars in a nation of 30 million people, Malaysia faces a soaring demand for roads, highways and parking spaces. As a result, the focus has shifted to public transport in recent years. Starting with the capital, the Land Public Transport Commission has drafted a public transport master plan for the Greater Kuala Lumpur-Klang Valley area. The city is building a 51-kilometre mass rapid transit train line through its centre, with feasibility studies underway for two more lines. Existing light rail transit systems are being extended in length and capacity. Meanwhile, the licensing models of bus operators are being reviewed to give incentives that would improve service and raise ridership. Along with rationalisation of transport providers to generate economies of scale, the Commission is trying to get various agencies to work together towards a common goal.

Paying for better public transport “If you pay a bit more, your transport system will be far better.”

Bert Hofman

Chief Economist and Director, the World Bank

Mr Hofman offered his thoughts on the financing of public transport infrastructures. “Efficient urban transport systems do matter for the efficiency of total urban life and productivity of people,” he stated. According to the World Bank, the world needs about US$750 billion a year for urban infrastructure developments, 40 per cent of which goes to roads. Finding money for such investments is becoming harder as governments face budget cuts, but still essential, as Mr Hofman pointed out that efficient urban transport systems are vital to the efficiency of the wider economy. Cities should also support more sustainable modes of transport, including public transit, bicycles and walking. Mr Hofman admitted that while unpopular, raising the cost of car ownership is key to getting people to use public transport. “But getting the pricing right on both sides is quite important,” he added. Public transport systems have to be both affordable as well as financially sustainable. “To make things sustainable, people have to pay for it,” he stated.

FLAGSHIP URBAN SOLUTION TRACKS, 3 JULY 2012

RESILIENT CITIES – DESIGNING SYSTEM-WIDE RESPONSES TO EXTERNAL FORCES Beyond promoting economic growth and efficiency, cities have recognised the need to develop strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change and extreme weather patterns on their urban landscapes. New approaches are required to increase the resilience of energy and water systems and build the adaptive capacity of cities and communities. There is also an urgent need to better understand how governments and urban planners can work with the private sector to encourage greater investments and participation in building urban resilience.

“The world in general is going into a perfect storm. Climate change, population growth, the emergence of megacities, rural people moving into cities, geopolitics about land and water and other natural resources – that perfect storm is going to hit us fairly soon and our future has, therefore, to be one that is resilient to that storm.” Usha Rao-Monari (Moderator), Global Head, Water & Waste, Infrastructure & Natural Resources, International Finance Corporation

Collaboration between cities and countries “Any country or city on its own cannot address the issue. Within a country, the cities have to collaborate, and within the global community, countries have to collaborate.” To tackle the challenges of climate change, Singapore formed a National Climate Change Secretariat in 2010, which reports to the Prime Minister’s Office and coordinates national policies, plans and actions related to climate change. Mr Tan explained that Singapore is looking at ways to mitigate against greater carbon emissions, while seeking to adapt to and understand the vulnerabilities associated with climate change. Collaboration with corporations, the public and Tan Yong Soon the international community is also vital, as climate change is a global issue. “We need long-term Permanent Secretary (National Climate Change), National Climate planning, constant innovation and very effective implementation,” he said. Change Secretariat, Singapore

Assessing vulnerabilities for adaptive capacity “We must address the issue of resilient cities in a truly holistic and integrated way.”

Dr Andreas Rechkemmer

Chief Science and Policy Advisor, Global Risk Forum Davos

Creating resilient cities, explained Dr Rechkemmer, requires an understanding of complex urban systems consisting of the physical environment as well as social and economic systems. “A resilient city is a city with a high level of adaptive capacity,” he said. Cities must, therefore, assess their vulnerabilities to climate change and other risks, including the vulnerability of social conditions such as mobility, education and health systems, before building adaptive capacity into their systems. “We need to look at the quality and the adaptability of our governance systems. We need to look at inclusive empowerment, inclusion and empowerment of stakeholders and people, education, social learning and the potential for behavioural changes and, of course, we need to adapt our local economies and markets”.

Seeking multi-functional solutions “We have to really integrate mitigation with adaptation. This has to be a balance – if we only adapt without mitigating, effectively in the long run we’ll be lost.”

Bart Parmet

Acting Delta Commissioner, The Netherlands

Comparing the Netherlands, much of which lies below sea level and is vulnerable to flooding, to one big city, Mr Parmet said that despite having the world’s best-protected delta, the work is never finished. A long-term effort to prevent environmental disaster, the Delta Programme is helmed by a Commissioner who links all relevant government bodies, institutions and stakeholders. The Netherlands’ search for multifunctional, integrated and cost-effective solutions has led to projects such as a climate-proofing programme in which parking garages double as water storage areas and the use of rooftops as urban farms.

Resilience in flexibility and integration “It is in cities where mitigation and adaptation efforts in the face of climate change have to come together and can come together.”

Paul Reiter

Executive Director, International Water Association (IWA)

Resilience is the capacity to absorb both planned and unplanned changes, as well as the flexibility to respond and adapt. In practice, this means “doing more with less at the urban level” and designing for long-run flexibility. The biggest hurdle to this, however, are legal and institutional barriers which prevent capacity integration, such as combining food waste streams and wastewater-treatment plants to generate energy. On its part, the IWA is seeking to make every wastewater-treatment plant energy-neutral if not positive. Such facilities would dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of utilities, reduce pollution and create an alternative fuel source, thus providing greater resilience against energy price shocks.

Building green at a city-wide level “We really got to get it right now and we got to be designing much better, much more resilient buildings into the future.”

Jane Henley

CEO, World Green Building Council

Through features such as energy-efficient design, storm-water reduction and connectivity to public transport, green buildings contribute to the social and economic fabric of cities. “The next step,” said Ms Henley, “is to plan, not by using past data but through scenarios that predict future energy trends and technical solutions”. She hopes developers will move from a “one building at a time” approach to work more closely with cities and communities to explore plans that can be implemented at a city-wide level. “These collaborative frameworks take time, but in the long run, they can actually save a lot of money,” she said.

Resilient cities are flexible “If you are going to do a resilient city, it is for the people.”

Prof. Asit Bitswas

Visiting Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore

“A resilient city,” stated Prof. Bitswas, “is not necessarily smart or efficient, but flexible”. Resilience also differs from city to city, depending on their location, population, income levels and expectations. This is especially pronounced in Asian megacities, where towering mansions rise next to shacks and modern infrastructure exists alongside slums. He also drew attention to indoor air pollution, a largely ignored problem in developing countries that contributes to many deaths. Access to clean water, a widespread problem, will be exacerbated by events such as earthquakes, he warned.

FLAGSHIP URBAN SOLUTION TRACKS, 3 JULY 2012

INCLUSIVE CITIES – SUPPORTING & INTEGRATING A PRODUCTIVE AGEING COMMUNITY People across the world are living longer than ever, and ageing populations are, or will become, a major feature of cities. But can city infrastructures and other services ensure that older citizens are active, mobile, healthy and connected with the community? What can be done to create a “city for all ages” where every segment of society can enjoy life to the fullest in the urban environment?

“Most cities as they stand now are not built to be inclusive and they tend to inequitably alienate and isolate older people and render them far more dependent and less productive than necessary.” Dr Mary Ann Tsao (Moderator), President & Director, Tsao Foundation, Singapore

Urban planning for an irreversible trend “If you are an urban planner, you have to start thinking right away about how you design your systems to accommodate this very rapid growth in the population ageing, with all its commensurate impact.”

Alex Ross

Director, World Health Organization (WHO)

By 2050, about 16 per cent of the world’s population will be over 65 years old. Highlighting this irreversible trend, Mr Ross pointed out that the ratio of working people supporting each elderly individual is falling in many countries, with major implications for urban planning. The WHO believes cities must create age-friendly environments to foster the health and social participation of older people. “Our goal is to keep people not in a hospital or nursing home,” stated Mr Ross. Various city sectors must work together to redesign transportation systems, outdoor spaces, buildings and public amenities. Promoting healthy living across all ages is also important, as Mr Ross explained, “There are two populations we need to worry about: the ones who are ageing now, but it’s also about the children today and what they need to do to remain healthy and productive when they too reach 70 years old”.

Building for inclusiveness, for old and young “The way we design cities contributes directly to this lack of mobility and access, as people become home-bound because they don’t have the services locally that induce them to walk.”

Gary Lawrence

Vice President, Chief Sustainability Officer, AECOM

Barriers to inclusiveness include governance models that fail to take into account local-level issues, as well as infrastructure both old and new. “We created urban environments that are hostile to walking,” said Mr Lawrence of a key barrier to mobility. Green spaces are also critical, not just for liveability but for reducing the heat island effect, which particularly affects the elderly. Recalling his experience as Seattle’s planning director, Mr Lawrence said, “One of the things we discovered was that things that benefited older adults in urban form and mobility and access: curb hikes, increasing public safety, shading – all that also had benefits for young adults with children.” Barriers to inclusivity, therefore, are not technical but political. “They are problems that no one believes actually need to be solved because they don’t understand how they fit within the context of their lives,” he said, maintaining “that the young adults will benefit from the same sort of investments in urbanisation”.

Homes not hospitals “Older people’s housing shouldn’t always be connected to medical institutions.”

Dr Emi Kiyota President, Ibasho

An environmental gerontologist at Ibasho, an NGO focused on ageing issues, Dr Kiyota shared the perspectives of older people towards their environment. Nursing homes, for one, have been based on an acute care model, which is not working. “We should not over-medicalise the service for older people,” she said, adding that housing for older people should not be equated with nursing homes. Gerontologists have realised that people do not want to live in a hospital-like environment; they want to live in a home, even if the latter is less clean and convenient. Beyond comfort and privacy, the elderly want to remain part of the community and not be marginalised. “We would like to go from segregation to integration,” declared Dr Kiyota. At the same time, people have to accept the idea that it is alright to be interdependent on each other. She gave the case of Japan, where a nursing home might be right next to a pre-school and there are community cafés or kitchenettes for people to gather at and socialise. An inclusive city, therefore, is one where different layers of society feel a sense of community.

Technology for healthy and active ageing “What we need is careful planning, for enterprises, companies to pre-plan and embrace the silver segment as part of their workforce.”

Chia Wee Boon

CEO, NCS (National Computer Systems) Pte Ltd, Singapore

Sharing the digital dimension of inclusive cities, Mr Chia outlined three ways that technology can address the needs of senior citizens: by tackling healthcare costs; by helping the elderly live independently, actively and meaningfully; and by providing security and connectedness with the world. In health care, Mr Chia said technology can relieve the elderly as well as their carers of the tedious tasks of maintaining, tracking and analysing medical records. Digital hospitals can improve patient experience and lower costs by reducing waiting times and bureaucracy. Other applications include integrated monitoring systems that can detect emergencies such as cardiac arrest and alert specific response centres. On the social front, broadband-telephony systems and video-conference services are readily available to help senior citizens live independently, continue full-time or part-time work, either at home or at other premises. Many older citizens also want to keep in contact with friends and relatives. “I am sure many of you have Skype or Gmail video; all these are basic technologies available to the young and old alike,” said Mr Chia.

A collective responsibility “An inclusive city enables all members of society, young and old, rich and poor, to feel a sense of belonging and be appreciated as productive and full participants of our community.” Inclusiveness is a buzzword in Singapore, where the population is ageing rapidly. “We need to be inclusive to preserve our social compact, support our families and remain a good home for all Singaporeans,” said Dr Maliki. Future challenges include a greater demand for health care, a need to support families who are the primary caregivers to the elderly, and finding ways to help ageing Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin baby-boomers lead active and meaningful lives. Caring for the elderly, he noted, was a collective Osman responsibility for all segments of society and a task that requires integration of urban services Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of National Development, and the built environment. “Our urban solutions are geared towards providing a safe, accessible and supportive environment for seniors to age gracefully,” he concluded. “Many of these urban Singapore and Mayor, Southeast solutions also support the very young and the middle aged, especially those who are caregivers.” District, Singapore

FLAGSHIP URBAN SOLUTION TRACKS, 3 JULY 2012

INVESTING IN CITIES – RE-INVENTING AND SUSTAINING CITIES THROUGH PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS As development opportunities shift from developed cities to developing cities, investment strategies need to take into consideration the changing dynamics of population growth, burgeoning economies and new business opportunities. The paradigm shift of conducting business today has also shifted our focus to economic, social and environmental sustainability issues in the long run. This session looks at some of the new operating models, opportunities and challenges for investment in emerging markets and cities.

“How do we advance the cities using the tools of private investment? Most governments are going to need help to accomplish things, therefore private capital has to be engaged in ways that work for the private sector and mostly work for the people.” Prof. John Macomber (Moderator), Professor, Harvard Business School, USA

Making cities attractive for long-term investment “At the end of the day, the question is what governments want to achieve if they want a thriving city, a growing city. Then the game, in my view, is to make sure that the environment is as easy as possible for investors to come do business and to invest in the city.”

Goh Kok Huat

President, GIC Real Estate (Singapore)

For GIC Real Estate, a sovereign wealth fund, cities offer a critical mass and depth of market as magnets for investments that yield long-term returns above inflation. Other than mass, investors also consider the growth trajectory and infrastructure of a city, said Mr Goh. Cities with the ability to continually upgrade their infrastructure are favourable for long-term investments, and Mr Goh added, “All over the world, we see examples where if you put certain infrastructure in place, it actually creates a lot more value for the city than one can ever imagine.” Transparency and good regulation are also vital for investors, along with sustainability, which GIC is actively pursuing through agencies that certify the sustainability of real estate developments.

Successful partnerships in China “The government must set out the ground rules, do the master plan, and parts of the master plan can be carried out by the private sector so that there’s clear ground rules and clear outcomes.”

Choo Chiau Beng

CEO, Keppel Corporation, Singapore

Mr Choo shared examples of urban investments that involve cross-border and public-private partnerships. Suzhou Industrial Park in China, for instance, drew upon technical expertise in developing industrial parks from Singapore, with Keppel heading a private consortium of investors. “This project has been very successful over the years,” he said. Mr Choo also referred to the Sino-Singapore project in Tianjin Eco-City, which is turning former salt farms into a sustainable city linked to Beijing Airport. This project has attracted many foreign investors to Tianjin, he said, as the Eco-City is designed for liveability, with a clean environment, parks, public transport and eco-friendly energy systems.

Need for clear rules and transparency “One area that we’ve seen that is interesting is the emergence of a third leg. We have the public sector and the private sector represented by the investors and developers. Increasingly, we’re seeing major anchor institutions in cities play an important role in leadership. Most prominently this includes universities.”

Patrick Phillips

CEO, Urban Land Institute

Urban development is always a public-private partnership at some level. “It can be a simple matter of the public sector setting the ground rules and investing in infrastructure, the private sector coming in and marshalling the capital and the other resources required to implement projects,” said Mr Phillips. “Or it can be very complex with co-ownership or complex leases, or complicated capital tax.” These partnerships can serve to transfer the capital cost of a project to a private partner, lower its operating costs or reduce its risks. Given clear rules and transparent structures, such projects can have a powerful economic effect, he added. Increasingly, efforts are also being made to insulate these time- and capital-intensive projects from short-term political cycles to ensure their continuity. Regular forums or dialogues can help create an atmosphere of trust over time.

Developing infrastructure with public-private partnerships “Without adopting a partnership between the public and the private sectors, we will not be able to succeed.”

Edson Aparecido

Secretary of Metropolitan Development for the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Mr Aparecido elaborated on the challenges of investing in urban infrastructure in São Paulo, a state of 31 million people, most of whom live in urban areas. To boost public transport and reduce carbon emissions, the government has invested massively in urban and transport infrastructure. Another focus of investments is sanitation: water and sewage treatment and solid waste. The state also has three of Latin America’s largest airports, the development of which requires the financial support of the private sector. In the metropolitan areas, the government is investing heavily in poverty-reduction and enhancing the education system. A key challenge for the state government is that while the federal authorities obtain 62 per cent of taxes, the state receives only 23 per cent but bears most of the responsibility for public services; this has to be addressed, partly through public-private partnerships, so that the state can invest in social and housing programmes.

Investing in emerging markets “From a government point of view, getting the regulations right so developers and investors can actively participate in a world where we have massive financial turmoil, macro-global influences, money-market influences and the like – it’s absolutely critical.”

Mark Ebbinghaus

Global Head, Real Estate, Standard Chartered Bank

Comparing models for investments between developing and mature markets, Mr Ebbinghaus pointed out that in the former, governments have a cleaner slate to work with, enjoy the advantage of being growth sectors and have the opportunity to apply best practices in publicprivate partnerships. Mature markets, on the other hand, tend to have excessive red tape and historical barriers to investments. To make public-private partnerships work, he stressed the importance of setting the rules and getting the framework right. And while emerging markets may offer high returns, they also pose high risks, which is not an issue in a bull market but may affect growth in more turbulent times when asset yields are low and conditions uncertain.

IN-FOCUS FORUM – CHINA, 3 JULY 2012

GROWING FAST AND GROWING GREEN Cities are driving China’s economic boom and accelerating its transformation into an urbanised nation, but face many challenges to become sustainable and liveable. To help delegates understand these forces and the opportunities that exist in the world’s second largest economy, leaders in the public and private spheres of urban development offered their insights in this In-Focus discussion. Moderator: Dr Liu Thai Ker, Chairman of the Advisory Board, Centre for Liveable Cities and Director, RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd, Singapore

The Challenges of Urbanisation “The Chinese government is determined to do a better job so that the cities can be sustainable and we hope that international investors and friends will come to Chinese cities to invest.”

Li Tie

Director General, China Centre for Urban Development, National Development and Reform Commission of China

From a national perspective, China, with an urban population of 690 million, presents a host of challenges and opportunities. Urbanisation is taking place at a rapid but uneven rate, being dominated by coastal areas, where cities are receiving a massive influx of rural workers. Public services, according to Mr Li, have to be improved to take into account the housing and social needs of these newcomers. Land reform is also needed to support urban infrastructure while smaller cities are having to compete with megacities for finance and resources. “We have too many megacities attracting a lot of resources,” he said of the need to give more attention to small and medium-sized cities.

The Rise of Shenzhen “What we need to do is to increase the quality of the city and make our city an innovative city, not just for companies.”

Tang Jie

Vice-Mayor, Shenzhen City, China

Mr Tang shared how his city transformed from a fishing village in Hong Kong’s shadow to China’s first special economic zone and an industrial metropolis in its own right, with the fourth largest container port in the world. The city is also moving up the value chain, from textiles to technology and research and development, he added. On his part, this involves raising the quality of life to make the city more attractive for investors, creating universities to train skilled workers, and making Shenzhen and Hong Kong more integrated economic areas.

Rolling Out New Services in Beijing “There will nine million people travelling on public transportation and our railway is expanding.”

Zhou Nansen

Deputy Director, Beijing Municipal Urban Planning Commission, China

Giving the view from Beijing, Mr Zhou revealed that the city’s population and economy have exploded, with about 21 million in 2011 and eight per cent growth over the last decade. The city’s transport and energy infrastructure thus require tremendous expansion, as more than half the population of Beijing resides in the city centre. Urbanisation, he explained, will have to proceed more evenly in the rural outskirts, along with the provision of high-speed railways. The city is also paying attention to improving its ecology with parks and green areas, while policies to protect its historical sites are being upgraded.

Building More Compact and Liveable Cities “An average worker in Beijing will probably spend about four hours on the road so this is a big problem.”

Feng Lun

Chairman of the Board, Vantone Holdings Co., Ltd and Chairman, World Future Foundation

Offering a private developer’s point of view, Mr Feng said his company, Vantone Holdings, contributes to urban development as a builder and partner. He noted that cities such as Shandong and Beijing are so large it takes hours for people to traverse them, which wastes resources and adds to pollution and congestion. Cities, he added, cannot neglect areas such as education, medical care and renewable energy. Costs, too, have to be managed or cities will become too unaffordable for the next generation. Vantone, meanwhile, has looked to Hong Kong and Tokyo for lessons in building vertical, compact cities, and studied Singapore’s approach to health care and high-density cities.

An Eco Island On the Yangtze “While we are doing the planning, we put top priority to keeping the original lifestyle and the original ecosystem.”

Dr Hong Zhi Hua

Executive Vice President, Yanlord Land Group, China

Dr Hong shared the progress of a Sino-Singapore project to build a high technology, environmentally friendly city on an island on the Yangtze River near Nanjing. Giving priority to environmental protection and preservation of original ecosystems, the city covers 15 square kilometres, half of which will be green spaces, woods and traditional vineyards. The city will employ advanced water reclamation and treatment systems to protect its water resources and prevent pollution of the river.

IN-FOCUS FORUM – INDIA, 3 JULY 2012

FORGING PARTNERSHIPS, DEVELOPING CAPACITIES India will account for more than a tenth of the world’s urban population by 2025. By 2031, the country is expected to have an urban population of 600 million, with six megacities of more than 10 million people, 13 cities housing more than four million, and 68 cities with more than one million residents. These trends pose massive challenges in housing, water, sanitation, mobility and transportation. How can urban planners and private partners develop solutions and jointly build the capacity to invest in cities that are liveable and sustainable? The panellists at In-Focus – India offer their thoughts. Moderator: George Yeo, Vice-Chairman, Kerry Group Ltd, Singapore

The Link Between Growth and Urban Development “At least 100 cities in India are going to need planning services, 20–30 master plans, transportation plans and so on.”

Dr Shirish Sankhe

Director, McKinsey & Company Ltd, India

Cities are crucial to India’s economy; the country simply cannot afford to neglect urban development lest growth suffers, revealed Dr Sankhe. The good news is that policy-makers at the national and state levels are working to address this issue, and the growing middle-class is driving demand for better education, housing, recreational facilities and transport systems. About US$1.2 trillion is needed for these urban infrastructures, but Dr Sankhe pointed out that less than a tenth of this sum has been spent. He added that part of the solution lies in finding ways to monetise land for funding public infrastructure, as China and Singapore have done.

A Role for Urban Partnerships “We need to build high-class infrastructures and services in our new cities.”

Ram Walase

CEO, IL&FS Township & Urban Assets Limited, India

Mr Walase shared about several public-private urban partnerships in India. In Gujarat, his company, IL&FS, is working with the state government to build the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, a new financial services and information technology centre close to Ahmedabad’s airport. Another industrial township is being jointly developed near Delhi by the Haryana government and Reliance Industries. IL&FS, which is also developing a port town in Gujarat and a special economic zone in Bangalore, provided the infrastructural expertise and mobilised private finance for the Tec-City, while the government provided the land and external connectivity.

Connecting India’s Cities “As India urbanises, we face severe challenges but I think there are huge opportunities for sustainable growth and these will have a dramatic impact on the quality of life.”

Amitabh Kant CEO & Managing Director, Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited, India

Another key project, to efficiently connect people, businesses and goods between India’s political and economic capital cities, was outlined by Mr Kant. This effort includes the building of a high-speed, high-capacity railway that will reduce freight times from 13–14 days to within 12–13 hours. Working with several private partners, the planners of the Corridor are also taking a leaf from other Asian cities, from Singapore in water management, from Kitakyushu in Japan on smart city management, and from Yokohama in waste management.

A 4P Framework for Urban Cooperation “Our vision is to facilitate the creation of economically vibrant, inclusive, efficient and sustainable urban habitats.”

HIS EXCELLENCY Kamal Nath Minister of Urban Development, Government of India

Mr Nath spoke on the nascent role of public-private partnerships in urban infrastructure, which has seen success in roads, highways and ports. He cautioned against a one-size-fits-all model for such partnerships, noting that areas like water supply, waste management and urban transportation require different approaches. India also hopes to extend urban cooperation into a 4P framework of people, private and public partnerships. “Nothing touches the people on a daily and hourly basis as urban infrastructure,” he said of the need to involve local communities. He also identified capacity building as a key long-term challenge, as India lacks people who can formulate projects, do strategic planning and maintain service standards.

IN-FOCUS FORUM – JAPAN, 3 JULY 2012

BUILDING CITIES OF THE FUTURE

How are cities in the world’s third largest economy coping with demographic pressures and the need for environmental sustainability? As the panellists at the In-Focus – Japan forum revealed, Japan is looking ahead with community-centred FutureCities and experimenting with new models of urban development that exploit its strengths in technology and learn from the mistakes of the past. Moderator: Chua Taik Him, Deputy CEO, International Enterprise Singapore

Need for Reform and Leadership “If public policy is to reform the government organisation and to take into account the wishes of the citizens and realise their needs, the big challenge ahead would be how to pursue and achieve these ideas. No policy can satisfy everyone.”

Prof. Tamotsu Takase

Counsellor to the Governor, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Japan

Japan, still reeling from the earthquake and tsunami that wrecked Fukushima in March 2011, faces a stagnant economy and ageing population. To drive the country forward, Prof. Takase believes it is necessary to revitalise Tokyo, given the city’s prominence and role in the country. Political leadership and a new decision-making system are needed to initiate structural reforms, deregulate the economy and boost competition, he said, adding a call for a new public policy that heeds the wishes of citizens and addresses their needs.

Driving Change in Yokohama “We are going to change Japan from Yokohama, so we are working very hard to achieve that.”

HIS EXCELLENCY Nobuya Suzuki

Deputy Mayor, Yokohama City, Japan

Mr Suzuki similarly thought that cities like Yokohama will drive change in Japan. On the environmental front, Yokohama has introduced smart energy initiatives such as electric vehicles and domestic energy management systems to reduce its ecological footprint. To help its ageing population, the city promotes facilities that allow the elderly to live, move and interact with ease and comfort. Yokohama has also forged partnerships with Cebu in the Philippines and Singapore in the areas of sustainable development and water technology, while strong promotion of its arts and culture add to its liveability and international appeal.

Future cities for Growth and Innovation “What is the 21st century growth model? It sees the environment and the superageing issue not as growth restrictions but as growth opportunities.”

Fumitaka Machida

Chief Representative of AsiaPacific Region, Japan Bank for International Cooperation

Japan’s future, according to Mr Machida from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, hinges on a growth strategy that develops green innovation, life innovation, Asian links, tourism, science and technology, and human resources. The government has also identified a FutureCity initiative, which aims to realise human-centred cities and resolve the double challenges of the environment and ageing populations. Promoting inter-city cooperation and involving the community will be key challenges in this initiative, he said.

Developing Smart Cities “If there is no cooperation among players, there will be no support among solutions.”

Keishin Sasaki

CEO, e-solutions Inc., Japan

Mr Sasaki, CEO of e-solutions, Inc, noted that no single company can solve all the issues cities face. Urban development can, therefore, advance only if companies and customers form strategic partnerships and share information to allow for standardisation and optimised solutions. His company, which specialises in urban design and management, has worked with several smaller cities such as Kashiwanoha to develop a smart future city that is ecofriendly and contributes to environmental industries.

Sustainable Development Through Partnerships “Sustainable development can only be achieved under good and progressive public and private partnerships.”

Masatoshi An

Executive Vice-President, Representative Member of the Board, Nikken Sekkei Ltd, Japan

Mr An, whose firm provides design engineering services, spoke on sustainable downtown developments, which he said can only be achieved with progressive public-private partnerships. For instance, mixed-use developments combining private facilities and public spaces such as gardens can make a community sustainable. Private buildings in Japan have also contributed to their cities’ liveability with heat-reducing designs and energy-efficient facades. The company’s latest project, the 636-metre-tall Tokyo Skytree, is modelled on traditional Buddhist towers. Such initiatives, he said, require the support and cooperation of local planning authorities who understand their value.

IN-FOCUS FORUM – SOUTHEAST ASIA, 3 JULY 2012

A REGION ON THE RISE

Nearly 250 million people live in cities in Southeast Asia, a culturally diverse and fast-growing region. Urbanisation has transformed many of these cities into dense, economic centres and industrial regions, and planners are racing to upgrade their infrastructure, forge new partnerships and turn their cities into more liveable and sustainable environments. Speakers in the very midst of these efforts share their experiences in this In-Focus forum focusing on Southeast Asia. Moderator: Lee Tzu Yang, Chairman, Shell Companies in Singapore

Boosting Economic Returns from Urbanisation “Indonesia has the potential to substantially increase its economic return from urbanisation but, of course, we need a strong leadership.”

Prof. Komara Djaja Head, Urban Studies, University of Indonesia

Prof. Djaja began by stating his belief that urban development in Southeast Asia cannot be separated from connectivity between cities. Speaking of his home country, Indonesia, he said cities in Java, Bali and Sumatra are thriving economically but struggling to provide basic services in education, health and poverty alleviation. Indonesia has the potential to boost its economic returns from urbanisation given leadership and good governance, and in some cities, the government and private sector are working together to tackle urban infrastructural needs.

Partnerships to Develop Cambodia’s Cities “The royal government has embarked on a sustainable special management policy in order to guide proper and balanced investment and development.”

Dr Beng Khemro

Deputy Director General, Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, the Royal Government of Cambodia

Speaking on behalf of Im Chhun Lim, Cambodia’s Minister of Land Management, Dr Beng noted that after years of civil strife, the capital, Phnom Penh, has emerged as a manufacturing and services centre, while Siem Reap has become a global tourist landmark. Meanwhile, cities in the northeast will play growing roles in tourism, mining and hydropower, while the scenic coastal region is earmarked for major investments in transport infrastructure. The government encourages public-private partnerships and welcomes private investors, and is also carrying out land reform and decentralisation policies.

Investing in Ho Chi Minh City’s Infrastructure “Urban and infrastructure development, along with environment protection, are characteristics of Ho Chi Minh City to create a liveable and modern city.”

Bui Xuan Cuong

Deputy Director General, Department of Transport, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

In Vietnam, a multipolar model and expanding transport corridor, along with large investments in urban infrastructure, have led to rapid economic growth and higher living standards in Ho Chi Minh City. According to Mr Bui, the city has concentrated on upgrading its transport system, by creating smoother links between the centre and outlying areas, improving the energy and water systems, as well as drainage and flood control. Other initiatives involve beautifying the city’s landscape and the adoption of public-private partnerships for urban investments.

Creating a Green Industrial Region in malaysia “We want the investors who are conscious about the planet, about climate change.”

Boyd Dionysius Joeman Senior Vice-President, Iskandar Regional Development Authority, Malaysia

Iskandar Malaysia is a new industrial region in south Johor, Malaysia, comprising five flagship zones: the historic city of Johor Bahru; Nusajaya, an educational and administrative hub; the ports of Tanjong Pelepas and Pasir Gudang; and the Senai airport logistics hub. Mr Joeman explained that this economic region embraces a green agenda in its planning and welcomes investors who are conscious about the planet, a practice that has made Iskandar Malaysia a model for low carbon society scenarios. This emphasis on green growth, he added, is important in attracting human capital and investments, such as a number of British universities to EduCity, and Legoland to Nusajaya.

Balancing Urban Development and Cultural Sustainability “The challenge then is to implement a sustainable urban development in the context of rising growth.”

Budiarsa Sastrawinata President, International Urban Development Association (INTA)

Mr Sastrawinata looked at how cities can develop in a sustainable way without compromising their local character and culture. In Southeast Asia, the middle class is driving consumption and pose a challenge to sustainable urban development. To find a balance, cities have to adopt local strategies and interpretations of behaviour. For instance, fans rather than air-conditioning can be encouraged by focusing on natural ventilation and energy efficiency. Other frameworks apply to efforts to get people to choose paper bags over plastic, smaller houses over big mansions or to use recyclable materials. INTA applies such thinking by inviting local communities to work towards economic, social and environmental sustainability in projects such as bicycling drives, waste-compositing centres, solar-panel stations and tree-planting programmes.

EXPO, CO-LOCATED EVENTS AND SITE VISITS

THE WORLD CITIES SUMMIT EXPO 2012: A MARKETPLACE FOR IDEAS AND INNOVATION 2 — 4 JULY 2012

More than 130 companies and organisations from over 28 cities displayed their capabilities and shared innovative solutions to urban challenges at the World Cities Summit Expo from the 2 - 4 July, 2012. Covering more than 5,000 square metres of floor space at Marina Bay Sands, the Expo is a trade event featuring exhibitors involved in every aspect of designing and building cities as well as leaders in specialised technologies and applications for the urban environment. Cities such as Bilbao, Copenhagen and Montreux also showcased their landmark achievements and lessons in urban planning at dedicated pavilions. In addition, visitors to the Expo enjoyed learning and networking opportunities at the World Cities Summit Expo Forum, a series of presentations and dialogue sessions organised by leading companies, research institutes, trade organisations and urban authorities.

A sampling of exhibitors at World Cities Summit Expo 2012: Accenture A*STAR Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore Ascendas Land Asian Development Bank Atelier Dreiseitl Bilbao City Hall China Construction (South Pacific) Development Co. City of Copenhagen/Realdania/Danish Architecture Centre CPG Consultants DP Architects EDF R&D / Veolia Environment Research & Innovation Ernst & Young Far East Organization GDF Suez Housing & Development Board of Singapore IBM Keppel Corporation KPMG NCS NEC Corporation Panasonic Philips Qingjian International (South Pacific) Group Development Co. SembCorp Industries Shell Siemens Singbridge Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City Investment and Development Co., Ltd Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Investment and Development Co., Ltd UN-Habitat

DEALS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS AT WCS 2012 • Surbana International Consultants Pte Ltd was appointed as the master planner for Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. • A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Singapore’s Housing & Development Board (HDB), Electricité de France and Veolia Environnement Recherche et Innovation to work on a complex Systems Model to help HDB develop sustainable, urban planning solutions in its towns. • WaterTech Group signed a joint venture agreement with PT Bumi Laksmana Jaya to implement eco-engineering projects in Bengkalis. • Panasonic Asia Pacific announced the establishment of its first Energy Solutions Development Centre in Singapore. • Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority and Economic Development Board signed the grant agreement with IBM for the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge 2012, awarded for Jurong Lake District. • Jurong Consultants was appointed to provide an industrial positioning study and master planning consultancy services for the Suining Economic Development Zone and Creative Industrial Park in China.

11th PLENARY MEETING OF THE ASIAN NETWORK OF MAJOR CITIES 21 30 JUNE 2012

A major event held in conjunction with the World Cities Summit 2012 was the 11th Plenary Meeting of the Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC21). An international network of Asian capitals and major cities, ANMC21 undertakes joint projects in common tasks related to crisis management, environmental countermeasures and industrial development. ANMC21 holds a plenary meeting each year, during which mayors or governors from member cities are updated on the progress or outcome of joint projects, decide on important administrative issues and discuss policies of relevance to the member cities. The 11th Plenary Meeting of ANMC was chaired by Minister of State Tan Chuan Jin, from Singapore’s Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Manpower. This meeting officially welcomed two new member cities, Tomsk from Russia and Ulaanbaatar from Mongolia. The participants also held a Policy Dialogue on the theme of ‘Balancing Cities’ Economic Growth with Social and Environmental Needs’ and adopted the Singapore Declaration, which reaffirmed the member cities’ agreement to share knowledge, experiences and technology for the development of sustainable cities. For more information, please visit www.anmc21.org/english/

ANMC21 MEMBER CITIES

Bangkok, Delhi, Hanoi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Metropolitan Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Tomsk, Ulaanbaatar, Yangon

CLEANENVIRO SUMMIT SINGAPORE 1 — 4 JULY 2012

The CleanEnviro Summit Singapore, held in conjuction with World Cities Summit, is the global platform for leaders, senior government officials and policy makers, and industry captains to identify, develop and share practical solutions to address environmental challenges for growing cities. It facilitates the sharing of insights on the latest environmental market trends through its plenary sessions and business forums. For more information, please visit www.cleanenvirosummit.sg

SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL WATER WEEK 1 — 5 JULY 2012

Singapore International Water Week, also held in conjunction with the World Cities Summit, is the global platform for the sharing and co-creation of innovative water solutions. Addressing contemporary challenges, SIWW gathers global water leaders and practitioners from both public and private sectors to engage in discussion and debate, network with key industry players, showcase leading-edge technologies and best practices, and identify practical methodologies to address the world’s most pressing water issues. For more information, please visit www.siww.com.sg

SITE VISITS

1 — 4 JULY 2012 MARINA BAY

GREEN BUILDINGS

This site tour led delegates through the brand-new Gardens by the Bay, a sprawling parkland in the heart of Singapore’s Marina Bay district, as well as the Marina Barrage, which offers a panoramic view of the city’s skyline.

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) gave participants of this site visit a comprehensive overview of Singapore’s efforts to create a more sustainable built environment through the BCA Gallery and exemplary green buildings such as 313 Somerset and Mapletree Business City.

THE LIVEABLE CITY CENTRE

From a 50 storey-high public housing complex overlooking the harbour to conserved shophouses and historic neighbourhoods in Singapore’s Chinatown, this tour offered an insight into how the island has blended development, heritage and nature into its urban planning.

SUSTAINABLE HEALTHCARE

DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE TOWNS

THE NORTH EASTERN RIVERINE LOOP

Toa Payoh and Punggol are respectively Singapore’s oldest and newest Housing and Development Board (HDB) townships, but both areas provide dynamic lessons in designing living environments that meet the evolving needs of residents of all ages and aspirations.

Shedding suits for sporty gear, the delegates rode on bicycles on a seamless journey through Punggol and Sengkang that brought them through green landscapes, restored wetlands and dazzling views of Singapore’s northeastern coastline.

At the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Yishun, delegates discovered a world-class healthcare facility set in a lush natural and eco-friendly environment that delivers benefits to both patients and nearby residents.

SPECIAL THANKS LEE KUAN YEW WORLD CITY PRIZE SPONSOR

PATRON SPONSOR

PLATINUM SPONSORS

making IT happen

GOLD SPONSORS

STRATEGIC PARTNERS

SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS

SUPPORTING MINISTRIES AND AGENCIES

With effect from 1 November 2012, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) were restructured to become the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) respectively, alongside the new Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY).

OFFICIAL BROADCAST PARTNER

OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL NEWSPAPER

SUPPORTING MEDIA

BILBAO BECKONS

Join your fellow mayors and governors at the

World Cities Summit Mayors Forum 2013 BILBAO, SPAIN • 13 — 15 JUNE 2013 The inaugural Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Laureate and home to iconic landmarks such as the Guggenheim Museum and Plaza Euskadi, Bilbao will host the fourth annual World Cities Summit Mayors Forum, an event jointly organised by Singapore’s Centre for Liveable Cities and Urban Redevelopment Authority. With the theme ‘Liveable and Sustainable Cities: Common Challenges, Shared Solutions’, the 2013 forum will see city leaders share insights, ideas and solutions to contemporary urban issues. A new highlight of the event is a Business Summit where urban solutions providers will be invited to translate ideas and strategies into effective plans for cities. For more information, please visit www.worldcitiessummit.com.sg/mayorsforum/

a highlight of

HEARD AT THE 2012 FORUM “The forum is a great enabling opportunity for mayors and those involved in all aspects of cities to connect and learn from one another.” Lisa Scaffidi, The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of Perth, Australia

“This is the third time we are attending the Mayors Forum and hearing from the various mayors on how they solved the public housing challenges in their various cities had provided useful ideas for us in planning for our city.” Trac Thai Sieng, Vice Governor of Phnom Penh Municipality, Cambodia

“The breakout sessions were very useful as participants get to share both issues and challenges, and to learn from each other’s experiences. The summary session also provides a good conclusion where the most important and critical challenges were addressed. This forum is very useful and informative, I am pleased to attend it.” His Excellency Fahad Al Jubair, Mayor of Al Hasa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

START YOUR JOURNEY TOWARDS LIVEABLE AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES AT THE NEXT

WORLD CITIES SUMMIT SANDS EXPO & CONVENTION CENTRE MARINA BAY SANDS SINGAPORE 1 — 4 JUNE 2014 For more information, please visit www.worldcitiessummit.com.sg

Gardens by the Bay ÂŠ Poon Jian Wei

“Cities are huge opportunities. Cities are sources of innovation, of creativity. They can be the drivers of prosperity and better living standards for the whole country. So let’s work with cities to maximise their potential for the people.” HELEN CLARK Administrator, United Nations Development Programme and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, and Speaker at the ‘In Conversation: Governance in Sustainable Development’ session at the World Cities Summit 2012

www.worldcitiessummit.com.sg

For enquiries on World Cities Summit, please contact: World Cities Summit Secretariat 45 Maxwell Road The URA Centre #07-01 Singapore 069118 info@worldcities.com.sg