Global experts at SMU City Dialogues Vienna: Urban resilience requires trust, equity and ‘smart enough’ solutions
Making Green Moves
Seemingly competing goals of achieving economic growth and combating climate change are dominating world conversations.
On Being Human
Post-pandemic living has reignited commitments to improving quality of life.
The Next Silicon Valley
High-potential startups are proving that innovation can thrive beyond Bay Area.
Asia Unwrapped
The world's largest and most diverse continent demands to be heard.
A New Web 3.0 Era
In this digital dawning, users are becoming owners.
Tech & Society
AI, automation and the gig economy are dramatically disrupting the way we work, live and play.

Held in the iconic Vienna City Hall, the SMU City Dialogues Vienna convened a distinguished gathering of city leaders, academics and industry experts.
The event welcomed over 100 attendees from 20 countries; with representation from more than 20 universities and over 30 private and public organisations – a testament to the diversity and dynamism of SMU’s global community, and the urgency and relevance of the dialogue topic of urban resilience.
On how urban resilience should also be measured by human values
"Vienna is enthusiastic about its mission to maintain a high quality of living in the generations to come. Resilient Cities are not only robust; they are kind, they are inclusive, and they are fair. This is what Vienna stands for."
Executive City Councillor for Climate, Environment, Democracy and Personnel, City of Vienna
On how good governance and long-term planning are cornerstones of urban resilience
“Both Singapore and Vienna have been recognised globally for our high standards of liveability, investing deeply in public infrastructure and cultural assets, and demonstrating that good governance and long-term planning are the cornerstones of urban resilience.”
Permanent Secretary (Development), Ministry of National Development, Republic of Singapore
On how robust partnerships create extremely functional cities
“Resilience is not one-dimensional. It is a layered practice that spans the economic, social, and technological. No city can navigate these complexities alone. Building resilient, regenerative, and restorative cities demand a shared endeavour. It requires… a ‘triple helix’ - where government, academia, and industry collaborate not only on technical innovation but also on the social and cultural fabric of our communities.”
Provost, Singapore Management University
Words frame the debate, but numbers define the stakes.
This visualisation maps the critical data points from the City Dialogues Vienna. Journey through the figures that define the global scale of the dialogue, the stark challenges cities face, and the promising solutions that light the path forward.
As climate threats reshape the urban landscape, cities must now choose: survive or thrive. At the SMU City Dialogues in Vienna, global leaders from 20 countries explored how resilient infrastructure, targeted investments, and community-driven design can future-proof our cities against floods, heatwaves, and rising uncertainty.
From AI-powered transit systems to multifunctional flood barriers, the solutions unveiled were bold, data-driven, and deeply human. Curious about what mitigating steps Singapore and Austria are taking and what your city can learn from them? Read the full article to dive deeper into the key insights and real-world strategies.
The fourth edition of SMU City Dialogues brought leaders from government, academia, and industry to Vienna - 2020 winner of the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize. Powerful ideas emerged as global thought leaders from more than 20 universities and over 30 private and public organisations discussed the future of resilience. Watch the highlights now.



