More than half the world’s population are living in urban areas. With increasing urbanization, cities today face challenges very different from those of the past. Good governance plays a critical role in urban sustainability and the long-term success of cities. This session will examine the success factors for developing cities that are liveable (i.e. good infrastructure, clean environment, good quality of life) and vibrant (i.e. economic competitiveness). It will discuss the formulation of effective policies related to key issues such as water, energy and environmental sustainability. It will also examine issues such as urban leadership, capacity development, and technological innovations which can provide cost-effective solutions (such as water reuse and desalination) to the masses if proper governance structures are in place.
Speakers:
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Yoshiro Mori, President of Asia Pacific Water Forum and Japan Water Forum, and former Prime Minister of Japan
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Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, Chairman, National Research Foundation, Singapore
Subjective well-being, including happiness and life satisfaction, is influenced by the society and city which a person lives in, amongst other factors. Fortunately, we know many aspects of city life that can enhance well-being, and creating these desirable conditions can help cities attract successful businesses and talent. This session will elaborate on measures of well-being that can help policymakers improve their cities and will address some reservations about using well-being in policy decisions.
Speakers:
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Jim Clifton, Chairman and CEO of Gallup Organisation
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Prof Ed Diener, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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Moderator: Liu Thai Ker, Director of RSP Architects
1400 – 1530
Breakout Sessions A
1.
Urban Planning and Conservation
"
Planning for a Distinctive and Vibrant City"
This session shares the experience of city planners in tackling urban challenges as cities around the world compete to attract and retain global investments and talents. Some cities offer an efficient and safe working and living environment; while other cities capitalise on their natural attractions and built heritage to attract residents and visitors. In the global marketplace for jobs and investments, there has been extensive effort to make the city more distinctive, exciting and liveable. Learn how cities are re-making themselves as they seek that competitive edge to safeguard their growth and relevance in the world economy.
Speakers:
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Ms Marilyn Taylor, Immediate Past Chairman of Urban Land Institute; Partner of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Prof Peter Rowe, Raymond Garbe Professor of Architecture and Urban Design and University Distinguished Service Professor, Graduate School of Design, Harvard University
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Mrs Cheong Koon Hean, CEO of Urban Redevelopment Authority, Singapore
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Moderator: Prof Sir Peter Hall, Bartlett Professor of Planning, University College London
While solid waste collection, disposal and recycling may not be the most visible of activities in cities, they are crucial in sustaining a quality living environment. Cities need to plan for the longer term to manage waste and conserve resources in order to be environmentally-sustainable, socially progressive and economically competitive. Non-government organizations (NGOs) help to bridge the divide between government and private entities, and help the local government to procure environmental infrastructures and services through public-private partnerships. This breakout session will cover international, government and NGOs’ perspectives on managing solid waste.
Speakers:
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NC Vasuki, Past-President of ISWA (2004-2006), Present CEO of Delaware Solid Waste Authority, USA.
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Toshi Noda, Director of Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, UN-HABITAT
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Peter Woods, Emeritus Mayor and Secretary General, United Cities and Local Governments (Asia Pacific)
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Joseph Hui Kim Sung, Director-General (Environmental Protection) of National Environment Agency, Singapore
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Moderator: Ms Anne Scheinberg, Co-ordinator of Solid Waste Consultants Group
3.
Land Transportation
Good governance and institutional framework are fundamental to sustainable urban transport management. Long-term planning and effective implementation of sound policies, strategies and infrastructure projects are critical in enhancing the quality of the land transport system in cities. What are the success stories and innovative approaches to achieving a seamlessly integrated and environmentally sustainable urban transport system?
Speakers:
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Hans Rat, Secretary General of International Association of Public Transport (UITP)
Sanjeev Kumar Lohia, Director, Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India
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Yam Ah Mee, CEO of Land Transport Authority, Singapore
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Moderator: Prof Vukan Vuchic, Professor of Transportation Engineering, City and Regional Planning, University of Pennsylvania, USA
4.
Biodiversity in Sustainable Cities
The global loss of biodiversity is continuing at an unsustainable rate. Can cities make a difference in the global effort to sustain biodiversity on our planet? How is biodiversity conservation relevant to city planning and governance? This session will examine the role of cities in biodiversity conservation globally and the positive impact of biodiversity on the quality of life for city residents. Various experiences and best practices in managing urban biodiversity will be shared. In addition, the issue of how civil societies can contribute and play their part and the challenges they face in biodiversity conservation will also be discussed.
Speakers:
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Dr Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity
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Yan Li, Mayor of Suzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Dr Geh Min, President of Nature Society (Singapore)
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Ng Lang, CEO, National Parks Board, Singapore
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Moderator: Prof Leo Tan, Professor of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Live Performance by Tan Dun @ Esplanade Concert Hall
DAY 2
Wednesday 25 June
0900 – 0915
Address by Haruhiko Kuroda, President of Asian Development Bank
0915 – 0930
Address by James Adams, Vice President of East Asia and Pacific Region, World Bank
0930 – 1100
Plenary Session 2*
"Collaboration between the Public and Private Sectors for Urban Development"
Cities are tapping on private sector expertise and funding for infrastructure and development projects. What are the key success factors in fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors? How can we optimise the mutual benefits?
Speakers:
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Ms Noeleen Heyzer, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
This session will focus on how cities can implement and balance environmental sustainability with economic development, in particular addressing emerging challenges such as climate change. Cities can adopt a pragmatic approach to sustainable development and optimise the use of available resources of land, water, clean air and energy to support current and future socio-economic growth. This approach facilitates and supports economic growth, social progress and a quality living environment – which can become a key competitive advantage for cities.
Lee Yuen Hee, CEO of National Environment Agency, Singapore
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Moderator:(to be confirmed)
2.
Sustainability in the Built Environment
This session will discuss the Green Building Movement – how to create sustainable built environment through market transformation; and Green Design – how do we design for a sustainable future? It will also discuss sustainability through redevelopment and rejuvenation (ensuring that old estates do not deteriorate into slums)
Speakers:
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Kevin Hydes, Chairman of World Green Building Council
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Dato’ Dr Kenneth Yeang, Principal (Architect) of Llewelyn Davies Yeang, UK
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Dr John Keung, CEO of Building and Construction Authority, Singapore
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Tay Kim Poh, CEO of Housing Development Board, Singapore
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Moderator (to be confirmed)
3.
Design and Management of Green Spaces
This session will discuss some of the management and design challenges in resolving competing urban land use demands in the provision of green spaces. Renowned international practitioners will provide practical solutions and fresh ideas for public and private open spaces across a range of cities and climates.
Speakers:
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Fred Kent, President & Founder of Project for Public Spaces
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Ms Kathy Madden, Senior Vice President of Project for Public Spaces
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Prof Ren Hai, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Moderator: Alan Chenoweth, Director of Chenoweth Environmental Planning and Landscape Architecture
4.
Financing Environmental Infrastructure
[More information available soon]
1245 – 1400
Luncheon Session *
Achieving Inclusive and Sustainable Growth: The Role of Cities and Urbanization
Over the past two years, the 21-member Commission on Growth and Development, together with world-renowned academics and development practitioners, have worked to take stock of what we know about economic growth and development. What drives growth? What hinders it? How can a marked improvement in living standard be achieved? The Commission’s mandate is not to design a blueprint for growth, but rather to identify the forces that drive rapid and sustained growth in a globalizing world.
The Growth Report, the culmination of the Commission’s work, provides a useful framework for leaders in developing countries to design their own unique growth strategies. This luncheon session will feature a presentation and panel discussion on the Growth Report, with special focus on urban growth processes.
Speakers:
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Danny Leipziger, Vice Chair of the Growth Commission and Vice President, World Bank
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Prof Paul Romer, STANCO 25 Professor of Economics, Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, and Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution
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Hiroto Arakawa, Executive Director of Japan Bank for International Cooperation Institute
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Moderator: Dr Khor Hoe Ee, Assistant Managing Director (Economics), Monetary Authority of Singapore
1400 – 1530
Breakout Sessions C
1.
Development Initiatives for Cities in Asia and Book Launch for “Managing Asian Cities”(Published by Asian Development Bank)
This session provides an overview of the major urban management issues for Asian cities and what the Asian Development Bank (ADB), together with its development partners, are doing to help cities to respond. The “Managing Asian Cities - Sustainable and Inclusive Urban Solutions” book produced under ADB’s flagship study on urban management, “Managing Asian Cities”, presents practical examples of good urban management drawn from a global review of practice in sustainable economic, environmental and social development.
The session will also present the “Cities Development Initiative for Asia” (CDIA) which implements the study’s recommendations for improved urban management, focusing on better coordination, financing and capacity building systems. The CDIA was launched by ADB, German Development Cooperation and Swedish International Development Agency.
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Chair: Ms Ursula Schaefer-Preuss, Vice President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development, Asian Development Bank
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Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State for National Development & Education, Singapore
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Michael Lindfield, Principal Urban Development Specialist, Asian Development Bank
•
Emiel Wegelin, Manager, Cities Development Initiative for Asia
2.
Book Launch for Urbanization and Growth(Edited by Michael Spence, Patricia Annez, Robert Buckley; Published by Commission on Growth and Development)
This edited volume takes stock of the current thinking on the relationship between urbanization and rapid economic growth. It examines three significant aspects of the structural changes that urbanization brings into play: (i) urban productivity, agglomeration economies and congestion costs (ii) spatial inequality, and (iii) housing affordability and access. It reviews the salient features of successful growth experiences, identifies new and developing trends that are relevant to future growth strategies in the sphere of urban and housing policies, and assesses the most effective approaches for developing countries.
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Chair: Danny Leipziger, Vice Chair of the Growth Commission and Vice President, World Bank
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Prof Paul Romer, STANCO 25 Professor of Economics, Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, and Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, and Member of the Working Group of the Growth Commission
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Patricia Annez, Urban Advisor, World Bank, and Book Editor
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Dwight M. Jaffee, Willis Booth Professor of Banking, Finance, and Real Estate of the Haas School of Business, University of California - Berkeley
3.
State of the World’s Cities Report and World Urban Forum 4
(by UN-HABITAT)
[More information available soon]
Plenary Session for the East Asia Summit (EAS) Conference on Liveable Cities (concurrent session)
1530 – 1615
Plenary Session 3
“Sustainable Development: The Way Forward”
A panel of distinguished speakers and mayors will share their views on the key issues and challenges in developing liveable and vibrant cities, summing up the discussions that have taken place during World Cities Summit 2008. They will offer their thoughts and ideas on the way forward to achieving sustainable urban development.
Closing Remarks by Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development, Singapore
Dialogue with Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Minister Mentor, Singapore
Moderator: Prof Kishore Mahbubani, Dean of Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore
Business Networking Activities:
Regional Business Forums (i.e. Middle East, Southeast Asia, India, China, Japan, Australia and Europe) on 25 and 26 June in conjunction with the Singapore International Water Week.
* Indicates joint sessions with the Water Leaders Summit (Singapore International Water Week).
All sessions will be conducted in English.
The programme may be subject to change.
Venue
Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre
(click here for location map)
