# Building Resilience is the Way Forward for Post-Pandemic Cities

- **Source:** Ministry of National Development
- **Published:** 2021-06-24T02:06:00.000Z
- **Author:** Ministry of National Development
- **Original:** https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/view/building-resilience-is-the-way-forward-for-post-pandemic-cities
- **Topics:** Government & Policy, Investment & Capital Markets, Sustainability & PropTech

## Featured rationale

The international focus on sustainable, equitable infrastructure signals that post-pandemic urban planning may increasingly prioritise climate resilience, digitalisation and community needs in future developments.

## AI summary

WCS 2021 attracted about 2,500 delegates from 337 cities, 40 per cent more participants than in 2018, with discussions focused on resilient post-pandemic urban development.

## Original article

The World Cities Summit (WCS) 2021 received overwhelming support internationally, with some 2,500 delegates from 337 cities. The delegates connected mostly virtually to share their ideas on building a resilient city, tackling disruptions and crises, and the fundamental need for cities to take a long-term view to ensure sustainable and equitable development. 

Building Resilience is Key to Way Forward

Panels and discussions held over the three-day summit revealed that while COVID-19 has been a massive challenge for cities battling the virus, the scale and wide-reaching nature of the pandemic has both raised the need and created opportunities to build resilience amongst communities, businesses and government. 

This was a sentiment reflected by Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development, who delivered the keynote speech at the opening session of WCS, “An effective pandemic response requires citizens to make sacrifices, which they will only accept if they trust that these are for the greater good. Trust is hard to build but easy to lose. And a crisis can easily divide a society if everyone looks out only for themselves. To keep our people united, we need to provide regular and transparent communications, make clear decisions based on scientific and factual evidence, and fight the spread of misinformation.”

Planning for Post-Pandemic Cities

Participants also agreed that the pandemic has accelerated trends such as digitalisation, and the climate agenda. Cities around the world have to review their urban plans in preparation for a post-pandemic city, and the need to invest in infrastructure that is both sustainable and equitable.

“Adapting to crises and growing from them is a key feature of resilience, something that cities must learn to do as the challenges they face become increasingly complex. In the face of pandemics and future disruptions from climate change, it is more important than ever that cities invest in a sustainable future for the world,” said Mr Hugh Lim, Executive Director of the Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC), a co-organiser of the WCS. 

“We are encouraged by the success of our first hybrid WCS, which received a record number of delegates attending in person and connecting remotely, from all over the world. In fact, we saw a 40 per cent increase in participation compared to the previous World Cities Summit held in 2018! This is testament to how cities around the globe are interested in developing a healthy planet for future generations. We are looking forward to hearing more insights and ideas during the WCS webinars happening from July to November 2021. Given the positive response and feedback from participants over the hybrid format, we will certainly consider retaining parts of the hybrid format even if we convene in-person next year,” he added. 

Continuing Programme for WCS 2021

WCS 2021 will continue with a series of webinars from July to November 2021. Mayors and thought leaders will discuss topics such as transforming cities through technology, planning for climate-ready cities and how to build healthy and happy cities. The inaugural WCS Smart Cities Workshop which will connect mentor cities, solution providers and financial institutions with prospective smart city projects will be held on 29 July. 

WCS 2022 aims to convene in Singapore on 17 – 21 April 2022, during which the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize 2020 will be presented. Together with Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) and CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESG), the three events will be held at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, subject to prevailing COVID-19 guidelines.

## Chinese translation

> Translation model: grok_cli

### 提升韧性是后疫情城市的前进方向

2021年世界城市峰会（WCS）获得国际社会热烈支持，共有来自337个城市约2,500名代表参与。代表们主要以线上方式交流，分享关于建设韧性城市、应对中断与危机的理念，以及城市须以长远眼光确保可持续、公平发展的根本需要。

建设韧性是前进的关键

为期三天的峰会各组讨论显示，尽管COVID-19对奋力抗疫的城市构成巨大挑战，但疫情的规模与广泛影响既凸显了在社区、企业与政府之间建设韧性的需要，也创造了相应机遇。

国家发展部部长李智陞先生在世界城市峰会开幕式发表主题演讲时表达了这一观点：“有效的疫情应对需要公民作出牺牲，而他们只有在信任这些牺牲是为了更大公共利益时才会接受。信任难建易失。若人人只顾自身，危机很容易撕裂社会。为保持人民团结，我们需要提供定期且透明的沟通，基于科学与事实证据作出明确决策，并打击错误信息传播。”

规划后疫情城市

与会者亦认同，疫情加速了数字化及气候议程等趋势。全球城市须检视其城市规划，为后疫情城市作准备，并投资于既可持续又公平的基础设施。

世界城市峰会联合主办方宜居城市中心（CLC）执行董事林毅强先生表示：“适应危机并从中成长是韧性的关键特征，随着城市面临的挑战日益复杂，城市必须学会做到这一点。面对疫情及未来气候变化带来的冲击，城市为世界投资可持续未来比以往任何时候都更为重要。”

他补充道：“我们对本届首次混合模式世界城市峰会的成功感到鼓舞，线上线下参会代表人数创纪录，来自世界各地。事实上，与2018年上届世界城市峰会相比，参与人数增加了40%！这证明全球城市都有兴趣为子孙后代建设健康地球。我们期待在2021年7月至11月举行的世界城市峰会网络研讨会上听到更多见解与想法。鉴于参与者对混合形式的积极响应与反馈，即使明年改为实体举行，我们也一定会考虑保留部分混合形式。”

2021年世界城市峰会后续项目

2021年世界城市峰会将于2021年7月至11月继续举办一系列网络研讨会。市长与思想领袖将讨论通过科技转型城市、规划气候就绪城市，以及如何建设健康幸福城市等议题。首届世界城市峰会智慧城市工作坊将于7月29日举行，连接导师城市、解决方案提供商及金融机构与潜在智慧城市项目。

2022年世界城市峰会计划于2022年4月17日至21日在新加坡召开，期间将颁发2020年李光耀世界城市奖。连同新加坡国际水周（SIWW）及新加坡清洁环境峰会（CESG），三大活动将在金沙会展中心举行，惟须遵守当时现行的COVID-19防疫指引。