SMU Urban Institute
Forging a new paradigm for the study, understanding, and advancement of uniquely Asian urbanisms.
Our Vision
The SMU Urban Institute seeks to advance an interdisciplinary research agenda that leverages SMU’s strategic positioning as a vibrant management university located in Singapore’s city centre, to deliver meaningful impact through the study of Asian cities.
As an interface between theoretical and applied research, data science and the critical social sciences, industry and academia, and Singapore and Southeast Asia, the Urban Institute seeks to advance a new organisational and intellectual paradigm for the study, understanding, and advancement of uniquely Asian urbanisms.
Orlando Woods
Director, SMU Urban Institute
Associate Professor of Geography
Our Research Pillars
Ongoing Projects
Education Infrastructures and Migrant Un/Belonging: Indian Students in Singapore
This project seeks to understand the role of “education infrastructures” in shaping the terms and extent of belonging amongst Indian migrants in Singapore.
The ‘Other’ Garden City: Documenting Singapore’s Edible Gardening Heritage
Spanning approximately two hundred years of Singapore’s modern history, this study will draw upon a wide array of textual and non-textual historical and contemporary sources to document gardening in Singapore from the 19th century to the present day.
Cool Paints Trials in Schools to Mitigate UHI Effects
The project aims to collect data to assess the efficacy of cool paints in mitigating the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects in selected Singapore schools through the deployment of micro-scale sensors and remote sensing platforms.