World · Malaysia Bureau
Cities must plan now for extreme weather, urban design expert warns
Urban planners need to begin preparing for rising temperatures and sea levels, according to a former Singapore urban development authority director. The warning comes as cities across the region face growing climate challenges.
LSN Malaysia ·
Cities across South and Southeast Asia must start comprehensive planning immediately to address the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels and elevated temperatures, a prominent urban development expert has cautioned.
The former director of Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority highlighted the critical need for proactive urban design strategies to build resilience against extreme weather conditions expected to intensify in coming decades.
With coastal cities in the region particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, planners are being urged to incorporate climate adaptation measures into long-term development blueprints rather than waiting for crisis situations to force reactive responses.
The expert's remarks underscore growing recognition among urban professionals that sustainable city planning must now prioritize climate resilience alongside traditional development goals such as housing, transportation, and economic growth.