SMU Urban Institute

The Urban Institute envisions itself as a research powerhouse dedicated to delivering impact through the study of Asian cities. By leveraging Singapore Management University’s strategic positioning as a vibrant management university located in Singapore’s city centre, the Urban Institute aims to develop empirical insights, theoretical understandings, and practical solutions to a variety of urban challenges. As an interface through which scholars, policymakers, communities and industry can come into meaningful contact and engagement with one another, the Urban Institute will be the first research institute that can speak to the plethora of challenges facing Asia’s cities, from the heart of urban Asia. The Institute shall address critical issues shaping the future of Asian cities by forging an interdisciplinary research agenda that bridges theoretical and applied research, data science and the critical social sciences, industry and the academy, and Singapore and Southeast Asia. It seeks to synthesise and cultivate thought leadership and innovative solutions, inform policy decisions, and drive sustainable urban development practices that contribute to the development of more inclusive, resilient and vibrant cities. In short, the Institute will advance a new organisational and intellectual paradigm for the study, understanding and advancement of uniquely Asian urbanisms.