Singapore’s Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC), and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance knowledge exchange and collaboration on urban solutions. The partnership will foster collaborations to address challenges from urbanisation within cities such as those that advance climate action, health and well-being in an urban environment, and urban liveability.

The MoU was formally signed by Mr Hugh Lim, Executive Director, CLC, and Prof Tai Lee Siang, Deputy President, Chief Innovation and Enterprise Officer, Centre Director (DesignZ), Programme Director (Design and AI), SUTD, at a CLC Lecture Series event on Regenerative Design for High-Density Cities.

Objectives of the MoU

Under this MoU, CLC and SUTD seek to establish deeper collaboration for knowledge creation and sharing on Innovative Cities, Healthy Cities, Regenerative Cities, Mobility and Urban Liveability.

SUTD’s research capabilities in innovative and technologically driven solutions for cities, urbanisation, climate action, health and well-being, and liveability also align with CLC’s future-oriented research in the areas of Urban Liveability, Communities and Regenerative Cities.

Previously, CLC and SUTD have collaborated on various successful projects such as the Dementia-Friendly Neighborhood Project (DFN). DFN was awarded the Horizon Shaper Award at the Bilbao Bay Awards 2024 and MND’s Minister’s Award 2024. In November 2024, SUTD had also participated in the CLC-led Cities Day Programme at the COP29 Singapore Pavilion in Baku.

Upcoming areas of collaboration include the development of city case studies on urban innovation, transformation and regeneration. CLC will also look forward to working with SUTD’s network of academics and experts at other upcoming programmes such as the Social Behavioural Science Community of Practice with sessions in March and July this year, CLC’s Lecture Series events and future editions of the World Cities Summit. SUTD will also be participating in the first session of CLC’s Regenerative City Forum Series on 13 – 14 March 2025.

“CLC looks forward to deeper collaboration with SUTD with their strong research capabilities in innovative and technologically driven solutions that address climate and urban liveability challenges. These align well with CLC’s future-oriented research. These efforts will support Singapore’s future development and contribution to global discourse in creating liveable, sustainable and regenerative cities for the future” said Mr Hugh Lim, Executive Director, CLC.

Prof Tai had also shared “At SUTD, we believe that design and advanced technologies like AI, are key drivers that will not only shape cities to becoming more sustainable but also enhance the well-being of their residents. This collaboration with CLC enables us to apply research and innovation to real-world urban challenges, advancing regenerative development and future-ready solutions. It also creates opportunities for interdisciplinary research between SUTD students and faculty in key areas such as Innovative Cities, Healthy Cities, Regenerative Cities, Mobility and Urban Liveability.”