ETHOS Issue 24
August 2022
Last updated 30 July 2026
ETHOS Issue 24, August 2022
In an era of climate impact and deepening energy and resource constraints, what can we do to make our cities more sustainable and liveable places to be? In this special issue, we partner with the Ministry of National Development’s Centre for Liveable Cities to explore the theme of urban sustainability, with insights from city leaders, public sector practitioners and urban experts from around the world.
Preface
by Hugh Lim
Governments around the world remain key players to steward and support this transition, as well as capture opportunities for its people. This issue of ETHOS seeks to feature the different aspects of this transition to limit global warming.
Editorial
by Alvin Pang
In this special edition of ETHOS, we partner with the Ministry of National Development's Centre for Liveable Cities to explore the theme of urban sustainability, with insights from city leaders, public sector practitioners and urban experts from around the world.
The Future of Urban Sustainability: Implications for Governance
by Elly Chiu and Yuichi Kikuzawa
How might we continue to build sustainability and liveability for our people, in the face of local and global shifts, resource pressures, changing societal values and other discontinuities?
Skilling up for a Green Future
by Gog Soon Joo
In conversation with ETHOS, the Chief Skills Officer of SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) outlines bold plans to green Singapore’s economy and workforce.
Valuing Sustainability and the Environment
by Leong Chi Hoong and Angelyn Teo
Non-market methods of valuing the costs and benefits of environment protection can better inform policymaking for sustainable development.
Green Transport in Singapore: Public Attitudes, Intentions and Actions
by Chong Wen Wei, Leong Wai Yan, Karenza Mosquera, Ng Kai Xuan and Ng Sheng Yang
With recent studies indicating strong support for green transport among Singaporeans, especially among youth, a greener, people-centric land transport system for Singapore is well within our reach.
Sustainability as Behavioural Change: Nudging the Good, Discouraging the Bad
by Charmaine Lim
Intentional habit formation can help to drive the adoption of more sustainable eco-friendly behaviours.
Sustainable Urban Development: Espoo, Finland
by Helena Kyrki
The small but dynamic Finnish city is a leader in promoting development that brings together residents, businesses and other stakeholders, for the long-term benefit of all.
Sustainability through Inclusive and Innovative Development: Los Angeles, United States
by Victoria Simon
The city’s strategy focuses on the needs of its most vulnerable groups and the aspirations of its residents for a more liveable, equitable, and prosperous future.
Clarifying Complexity, Coordinating Change: The Value of City Indices
by Milton Friesen
Urban indices and frameworks help those seeking to improve the health of cities better navigate complex, interrelated systems—facilitating coherent conversation, action and change.
The City of the Future Needs a Data Culture that Sees the Visible and Invisible
by Poon King Wang
The Director of the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities reflects on how city planners and policymakers can make more thoughtful use of data to improve decision-making and better people’s lives in meaningful ways.
Sustaining Passion and Wellbeing in the City of the Future
by Rahul Mittal
Veteran urban designer and planner Rahul Mittal reflects on key trends in the evolution of urban life, and how planners can engage with community aspirations and energies.
Liveable Density: A Conversation with Heng Chye Kiang
by Heng Chye Kiang
An NUS Professor of Architecture explains how thoughtful planning, good design, and inclusive choices can enable residents to thrive in dense urban environments.
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