SMU Urban Institute Highlights Innovation, Resilience, and Collaboration at World Cities Summit 2026

The SMU Urban Institute was proud to be part of the World Cities Summit 2026 at Suntec Singapore from 14–16 June, contributing to a dynamic exchange of ideas, research, and collaboration on the future of cities.

As Patron Sponsor, Singapore Management University showcased its research excellence and thought leadership across multiple summit platforms, with strong representation from SMU researchers, Urban Fellows, and student participants.

Highlights included:

Science of Cities Symposium
SMU researchers and Urban Fellows presented posters covering a range of emerging urban challenges and innovations, including heat resilience, virtual reality technologies, AI-enabled modelling, and evolving urban behaviours.

Young Leaders Symposium and Mayors Forum
Professor Orlando Woods, Director of the SMU Urban Institute, and Professor Aidan M. Wong (Urban Fellow, Urban Experiences) moderated discussions at the Young Leaders Symposium. Professor Theodor Cojoianu (Urban Fellow, Urban Growth) contributed an intervention on rethinking urban energy transitions during the Mayors Forum, while Professor Winston Chow (Research Pillar Lead, Urban Systems) served as moderator. SMU Urban Institute–City Developments Limited interns Aarushi Chopra, Julianne Yap Qian Hui, Chloe Ong, and Nicholle Teo also participated in the forum.

World Cities Summit Plenary and Thematic Tracks
SMU President Professor Lily Kong was a featured speaker at the Opening Plenary and later moderated the National Heritage Board session, “Championing Heritage for Loveable Cities,” under the Cities for People track.

Professor Sun Sun Lim, Vice President (Partnerships & Engagement), shared insights on AI-enabled cities during the Smart Cities track, while Professor Winston Chow participated in the IPCC Special Report Roundtable.

Under the Financing for Cities track, Nikki Kemp of the Singapore Green Finance Centre spoke on private capital flows, and Professor Theodor Cojoianu delivered the opening presentation for the ULI Singapore session, “From Vision to Viability: What Makes Cities Investable?”

SMU Booth Presentations
The SMU booth featured a series of presentations highlighting applied urban research and innovation, including:

Dr Hui Ying Pak on the development of a Heat Risk Index for Singapore
Professor Yangfang Helen Zhou on the role of electric vehicles in supporting electricity supply during periods of peak demand
Professor Paulin Straughan on ageing-in-place strategies for a super-aged society
Professor Orlando Woods and Professor Winston Chow on the launch of the white paper, What is the Value of Urban Resilience?, alongside SMU Urban Institute Research Assistant Liyana Doneva

The summit provided an important platform for advancing dialogue on urban resilience, sustainability, governance, and innovation. The breadth of SMU’s contributions reflects our continued commitment to generating impactful research and fostering collaborations that help shape more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready cities.