Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities
The Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities (LKYCIC) is a research institute in the Singapore University of Technology and Design. The Centre seeks to stimulate thinking and research on the critical issues of cities and urbanisation and explore the integrated use of technology, design and policy to provide urban solutions.
News and Updates
10 Feb 2026
New book by Belinda Yuen, Francine Chan, Yohei Kato, Jiaxuan Wang & Luis Jimenez
The Activating Outdoor Recreation Space— People Connection Playbook draws on mixed-methods research from Singapore to guide the creation of vibrant, inclusive outdoor recreation areas that foster meaningful connections between people and their environment. [...]
5 Feb 2026
MND, SUTD launch S$30 million Built Environment AI Centre of Excellence (BT, 05.02.2026)
The Ministry of National Development (MND) is partnering with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) to establish a new S$30 million Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence for the Built Environment. [...]
2 Feb 2026
Commentary: The real purpose of the 10-cent deposit on your beverage container (ST, 02.02.2026)
Research Assistant Professor Samuel Chng and Research Fellow Sarah Chan’s commentary on how the 10-cent deposit return scheme reframes empty beverage containers from rubbish into unfinished resources. [...]
2 Feb 2026
Research Assistant Professor Samuel Chng weighed in on buses’ shift to coverage and first- and last-mile connectivity, and on LRT ridership remaining sensitive to local shifts.
[...]
Featured Events and Visits
13 Mar 2026
Ideas Festival 2026 – Urban Resilience in 3 Acts
This SUTD-LKYCIC seminar explores Singapore’s urban resilience from three perspectives: economic resilience, social cohesion and climate change adaptation. [...]
16 Jan 2026
Visit by Dr Norbert Csizmadia, John von Neumann University
LKYCIC was delighted to host a visit by Dr Norbert Csizmadia, Geographer – Geonomist, Former President of the Board of Trustees, John von Neumann University on 16 January 2026 [...]
13 Jan 2026
Visit by Housing Development Board (HDB)
LKYCIC was delighted to host a visit by Housing Development Board (HDB) on 13 January 2026 [...]
24 Nov 2025
LKYCIC Seminar Series: “Mapping Urban Belonging in Places of Flux in Singapore”
Urban change in the next two decades in Singapore will be socio-spatial and multi-sourced as urban redevelopment will grow in scope and extent as the city’s built environment ages. Urban redevelopment is formidable and can exact emotional and social costs on individuals and groups as places, routines, and belongings become dislocated and disrupted. This presents a quandary of how urban change can be planned, designed, and managed in ways that enable belonging in the city, which is more often associated with stability than flux. [...]
Pillars of Research
Research
Lab
Master of Urban Science, Policy and Planning
Offered by the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities and the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Cluster, SUTD’s Master of Science in Urban Science, Policy and Planning is designed in the context of big data and smart city initiatives to train the next generation of urban researchers, analysts and practitioners. Students combine advanced social and data science research methods and computational techniques with urban theory, planning and practice to explore current and emerging topics and shape the cities of the future.