The Asia-Pacific region is home to 54 percent of the world’s urban population, with more than half of its residents living in urban areas. The United Nations estimates that by 2050, this proportion will increase by 20%, expanding the region’s urban population from 2.3 billion to 3.5 billion people. This rapid urbanization, coupled with the challenges of climate change and governance, underscores the urgent need for building democratic and future-ready cities.

Harnessing Urban Potential for Transformation

Cities inherently possess significant potential to drive transformation at multiple levels. They are hubs of economic activity, cultural exchange, and social development. Their interconnectedness ensures that progress in one city often influences nearby towns and cities, extending across regions to shape changes at national and international levels.

Singapore hosted the World Cities Summit (June 2-4, 2024), gathering 100 mayors and 3,500 delegates. The summit's overarching theme was supporting cities in adapting and innovating to transform urban challenges into development and inclusive opportunities. From the discussions, three key attributes emerged as essential for building democratic and sustainable cities.

Vision: A Long-Term, Inclusive Approach

The vision for a city should expand socio-economic opportunities for all, particularly the poor and vulnerable, to prevent ecosystems of structural inequality and discrimination. A well-designed city vision will have a long-lasting impact on the quality of life for future generations. Therefore, today’s policy choices must be future-oriented and mindful of the rights and well-being of future inhabitants.

Collaboration and Participation: A Collective Journey

Governments alone cannot and should not shape urban futures. Inclusive, greener, and more resilient cities are built through collaboration among citizens, the private sector, academia, and governments. The traditional top-down decision-making model is inadequate for today’s challenges. Instead, collaborative mechanisms to co-create solutions are essential to meet citizens' needs and aspirations and to attract private sector collaboration and investments. Digital and innovative platforms now make it easier to engage citizens and gather feedback, fostering a closer connection between governments and their constituents.

Innovation and Adaptation: Addressing Complexity with Agility

Urban challenges are complex and require adaptability and agility to address effectively. Cities like New York exemplify these attributes. In the wake of COVID-19, New York created the Office of Public Realm to rejuvenate the city and make it attractive again for people and businesses. This office oversees public spaces, reducing bureaucratic hurdles to improve parks, plazas, and car-free streets.

Who does not want to live in a green, vibrant, and inclusive city?  Building democratic and future-ready cities in the Asia-Pacific requires visionary urban planning, collaborative governance, and innovative, adaptive management. By focusing on these principles, we can transform urban challenges into opportunities for sustainable and inclusive development, ensuring that cities remain vibrant and resilient for future generations.