Cities for People

What makes a good city?

A "good city" is not just a collection of buildings and infrastructure, but a place where people can live fulfilling lives with access to necessities, opportunities and a sense of community. City leaders must be committed to continually rejuvenate their cities and plan for the long-term, while remaining flexible and responsive to the changing needs of residents.

Plenary I:
How can cities rejuvenate for the better?

Developing and mature cities alike need to constantly revitalise themselves to maintain liveability. Yet, it can be hard to make changes, especially in older cities, when things are already built or running in a certain way. This plenary discusses how successful urban renewal can be achieved if planning and governance are organised in ways that prioritise well-being and inclusivity across communities and generations.

Plenary II:
Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Lecture

The Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Lecture celebrates the 2024 Prize Laureate’s and Special Mentions’ achievements in the creation of liveable, vibrant, and sustainable urban communities with a high quality of life. The 2024 Prize Laureate and Special Mentions will share their urban development experiences, highlighting their unique contexts, challenges faced, and urban solutions deployed.


Track Sessions

These are deep dives within each thematic track, featuring panel discussions, special convening sessions and roundtables.


Cities for People – Future of Port Cities
(led by the Maritime & Port Authority, Singapore)

Port cities have a deep historical connection with their ports, serving as vital trade gateways that drive economic growth. Enriched by the convergence of diverse cultures and tradition, these cities have unique identifies and have also adopted innovative approaches to harbour design and technological advancements for sustainable operations.  Yet, each faces its own set of challenges in preserving port heritage while accommodating modern development. This session convenes leaders and stakeholders from port cities to explore the distinctive opportunities and challenges as they steer their cities into the future.


Cities for People – Roundtable on the Future of Downtowns


Downtowns worldwide are affected by the growth of hybrid and remote work while evolving smart technologies and quality of life aspirations compel Downtowns to reinvent themselves to remain competitive and vibrant in an environment of uncertainty. Even as Downtowns move towards having more mixed-uses, they face challenges like rising costs of living, increasing demand for green buildings, and the need to repurpose and retrofit ageing buildings to cater to changing expectations.  Given the need for Downtowns to adapt and evolve, this session will bring together participants from various cities and different professions to discuss how we can reimagine the Future of Downtowns.


Cities for People – Geospatial & Geography: Empowering Communities, Enhancing Live
(led by the Singapore Land Authority)


Join the Singapore Land Authority and various mayors and city officials of eminent cities for an engaging forum on how geospatial solutions are being utilised to improve citizens’ quality of life. From comprehending the unique challenges confronting cities to embracing geospatial-enabled innovations, discover how mainstreaming geospatial strategies can shape more inclusive, resilient, and vibrant cities. The forum will delve into the discourse of mainstreaming geospatial, providing insights into how cities are harnessing its potential to improve their social, cultural, and healthcare aspects, thereby empowering communities and enhancing lives.


Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Network – Knowledge Forum

This session kickstarts the formalisation of the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Network – an initiative to foster deeper city-to-city partnerships to create and exchange knowledge on sustainable and liveable cities. The Knowledge Forum will convene representative knowledge organisations from the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Laureate cities, founding members of the Network, to reflect on the urban challenges that their respective cities have tackled over the last decade and the ones that will impact their future. The presentations and ensuing panel discussion will highlight best practices to address these challenges, and explore how cities can collaborate to find solutions for their urban future.