Singapore launches new initiative to connect mayors from cities amid ‘divided and fragmented’ world

15/06/2026 2 Views

Mr Wong also announced the launch of the Liu Thai Ker Distinguished Speaker Series, which will be co-organised by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Housing and Development Board (HDB) later this year.

The series honours the contributions and legacy of the late Dr Liu, who is widely regarded as the architect and first master planner of modern Singapore.

It will feature urban leaders sharing insights on community-centric design and sustainable city-building, WCS said in a media release.

City planning is a continuous process of learning, adapting and improving, Mr Wong said, adding that cities succeed when they remain open to new ideas while staying anchored to enduring principles.

“We hope the series will inspire new generations of urban leaders and carry forward his legacy of thoughtful, people-centred city building,” Mr Wong said.

GUIDED BY PRAGMATISM

From the beginning, Singapore has been guided not by ideology, but by pragmatism, Mr Wong said.

“We try different approaches, we keep what works, and we change what does not. And above all, we focus on what delivers the best outcomes for Singapore and Singaporeans,” he added.

For example, while the country places great emphasis on economic growth, it also recognises that a good life cannot be measured by gross domestic product (GDP) alone, he said.

That is why Singapore protects its natural and cultural heritage and dedicates prime land to such spaces, even in a small, land-scarce city, he said, pointing to Gardens by the Bay and the Rail Corridor.

Additionally, while Singapore believes in the power of markets to allocate resources efficiently, it recognises that markets alone do not always produce the outcomes it wants.

The state takes a more active role in certain areas, such as housing. Today, about eight in 10 Singapore residents live in public housing flats, and the vast majority own their homes, he noted.

“We ensure a sufficient supply of new flats to meet demand, and heavily subsidise them to keep home ownership within reach for Singaporeans,” he said, adding that the government ensures that public housing estates have an inclusive mix of residents.

And while Singapore may be associated with active state planning, what is less visible is the emphasis placed on partnerships and ground-up community participation, Mr Wong said.

For example, Singapore’s approach to an ageing population is to develop Age Well neighbourhoods rather than building exclusive retirement villages.

This is so older citizens can age in place within their own communities and access a wide range of services and support close to home, he said.

“That depends on much more than physical infrastructure. It requires strong partnerships with healthcare providers, community organisations, caregivers and volunteers,” he said.

Mr Wong said these examples reflect a broader philosophy.

He added: “We do not assume that yesterday’s solutions will always work tomorrow. As circumstances change, we continue to learn, adapt and innovate.”

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