"I congratulate the authors for highlighting the importance of "living cities." Living cities are centers of human life where the struggle to meet daily needs takes place in the better environment they have to offer, I believe that the examples shown in "Developing Living Cities" will be informative for policy makers of the cities. Let us commit to working together for a brighter urban future." Ms Fumiko Hayashi President, CITYNET, Mayor of Yokohama, Japan
"An imminent challenge facing city mayors in Asia Pacific is to create liveable cities. The solution requires dedicated effort and cooperation from all the stakeholders. Programs on infrastructure, clean environment, capable human resources, anchored on good governance should be implemented to achieve the vision of competitive, bankable, sustainable cities. This book sends an important message about the making of liveable cities that we would want to leave as a legacy to future generations. Congratulations to the editors. K Seetharam and B Yuen." Hon. Mary Jane Ortega Secretary-General, CITYNET Mayor of City of San Fernando, La Union, The Philippines (1998-2007)
"This is an important and timely book. With half of humanity living in cities, our future will depend on how well we manage our cities. This book poses six inter-generational challenges to cities. If a city deals successfully with them, it will become a living, thriving, prosperous and delightful place to live, work and visit." Prof Tommy Koh Chairman, Governing Council, Asia Pacific Water Forum
With more and more of the world's population projected to live in urban areas, the life and death of cities has become a key factor in urban development considerations. This book attempts to bring an original contribution on the analysis of creating living cities. It advances the concept and framework of a "living city" and also explicates the key attributes of a "living city" that are increasingly critical to the reinvigoration and sustainable growth of cities.
The book also seeks to document and compare Singapore's development as a "living city'" with other cities around the world. Authored by researchers and practitioners across different disciplines, the book provides first-hand insights on the development choices that cities can make and expertly draws on case studies to illuminate how innovative cities have a comparative advantage. Written in a simple and accessible manner, this book will appeal to people interested in urban planning, policy and sustainability.
Table of Contents:
Introduction: Singapore: A Living City, a City for Living; Methodology for the Index of Living Cities; Competitive Cities (M K Ng); Committed Cities (J Wanna); Infrastructure Cities (P Newman & J Kenworthy); Transport and Communications Cities (P White); IT Cities (K E Corey & M Wilson); Environment Cities (J Harris); Liveable Cities (L Austin); Sustainable Cities (K E Seetharam); Affordable Housing Cities (B Yuen); Conclusion: The Roadmap and Performance of Liveable Cities.
