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The National University of Singapore (NUS) is at the forefront of integrating sustainability, technology and public health into urban planning, as demonstrated in the recent NUS Cities event titled “Towards a Healthy Singapore: Green Building Impact on Public Health”. The event brought together key policymakers, industry experts, and academics to explore how greener, smarter buildings can improve public health outcomes in Singapore.
Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, emphasised the need for advanced building technologies and global collaboration to meet Singapore’s sustainability goals at the event. With the nation committed to net-zero emissions by 2050, she stressed the urgency of implementing innovative technologies and sustainable practices in urban design now to achieve long-term decarbonisation targets.
She outlined four critical areas that will drive these efforts: effective policies, the development of new technologies, mobilising capital, and fostering global cooperation. These pillars are necessary to counter the rising carbon emissions in Singapore and drive the country toward a more sustainable future.
NUS Cities, a multidisciplinary platform at NUS focused on sustainable urban planning, is pivotal in this transformation. Professor Khoo Teng Chye, Director of NUS Cities, emphasised universities’ role in researching innovative urban solutions and preparing future leaders for climate adaptation. Speaking at Singapore’s first net-zero building, SDE4, he noted that platforms like NUS Cities are essential for educating future leaders on sustainable design and integrating technology into urban environments.
A key highlight of the event was the announcement of a partnership between NUS Cities and a real estate investment management and real estate development company. The collaboration aims to advance sustainable urban planning by combining the company’s real estate expertise with NUS Cities’ research capabilities. The partnership will promote environmentally sustainable urban solutions, focusing on public health and well-being, with joint initiatives including sustainability awareness programmes, research on urban solutions, and leadership training for future urban planning professionals.
Technological advancements are key to these efforts, with discussions focusing on using digital tools and green technologies to create healthier living spaces. These innovations are already being adopted in both public and private sectors. The Housing & Development Board’s (HDB) 2020 Green Towns Programme, for example, aims to reduce energy consumption in public housing estates by 15% by 2030 through smart building technologies, biophilic designs, and energy-efficient infrastructure.
Private sector companies are also exploring adaptive reuse of buildings and clean energy solutions like green hydrogen, according to experts at the event. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increasing focus on the relationship between public health and the quality of indoor environments.
Despite these advancements, experts stressed that successful implementation depends on public engagement and the right infrastructure. For example, a pneumatic waste conveyance system pilot project in the Yuhua estate faced roadblocks due to a lack of public understanding of how the system worked. This demonstrates the need for public education when deploying new technologies. Minister Fu also noted that government agencies are working together to develop sustainable policies and regularly review their effectiveness through an inter-ministerial committee on climate change.
While the benefits of green initiatives are clear, it is crucial that these initiatives are effectively implemented and scaled to make a meaningful impact. To encourage public engagement, NUS Cities launched The Green Guardians of Singapore, an illustrated booklet aimed at raising environmental awareness. Produced in collaboration with the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Public Hygiene Council, the booklet underscores the need for collective action to create a sustainable, healthy future for all Singaporeans.
Through such partnerships, Singapore is setting the stage for a future where technology, sustainability, and public health are deeply interconnected in urban living.
