Seminar objectives
As part of the strategic partnership agreement between France and Singapore signed in October 2012, AFD and
Singapore Cooperation Programme agreed to co-finance
co finance a training project on the theme of integrated urban
development.
Sustainable urban approaches draw on a wide range of competencies at different stages of a project. Financed by the
FEXTE program on the French side, this
t
Singapore-France joint seminar aimed at building a basis of common
references on the main issues of urban planning between
b
attendees
tendees from several countries and institutions. It dealt
with issues and challenges related to sustainable development, broad access to common public utilities and services,
public mobility, environment (energy, water supply, waste water management and solid waste management), climate
change issues as well as economics and financing.
The joint seminar took place from the 3rd of November 2014 to the 12th of November 2014 at Nanayang
Technological University's campus, ESSEC Asia Pacific's campus, and various sites around Singapore. It was
intended for public officials from South--East Asian countries involved in city planning, city management or policymaking in national or local governmentss. Algoé and ESSEC Asia-Pacific
Pacific were selected to assist French overseas
development aid agency AFD and its education arm CEFEB in preparing and organizing this training programme
under the French government's VIVAPOLIS export label.
The programme was a forum for both Singaporean and French
Fren experts from public utility boards,
board national public
agencies, local governments, and the private sector (both
(
operators and consultants). The programme’s main
objective wass to present the Singaporean and French experiences in terms of integrated and sustainable urban
planning and solutions for transport, energy, housing, security, waste and water management.
A mix of case studies, project visits and workshops
The seminar provided a platform for government officials from Southeast Asia to gain a comprehensive understanding
of the main issues of urban planning and integrated urban development. The program was based on actual
experiences and proven solutions as well as innovative initiatives. Most lectures were delivered by practitioners such
as project managers from local authorities or leading companies. They offered an overview of innovative solutions for
developing sustainable cities and for efficient resources management.
The sessions were comprised of case studies, visits of noteworthy projects and workshops, focusing on the
consecutive steps of an integrated urban project.
Combining skills improvement and know-how promotion within an innovative format, the program was designed to
cover the complete cycle of urban planning, from design to implementation and operation of urban services, through a
comparison of the Singaporean and French approaches. The seminar focused in particular on the quality of the
French urban model and the relevance of French standards, including financial methods, in the areas of sustainable
urban development.
Overview map of site visits
Seminar highlights
The topics covered over the 8-day
day program included:
• Major Urban Issues in France, Singapore and Asia,
Asia including sustainable development, modern utilities and
services, public mobility, environmental
onmental issues, and financing.
financing
• Concrete case studies of water management in Bangladesh,
Bangladesh, by Veolia, a light rail transit system in Singapore and
in India, by Alstom, financing and managing Singapore's Sports Hub, by Bouygues, the simulation of urban
behaviors around the world, by Thales,
Thale among others.
• From idea to urban and architectural concept in France and Asia, by Jacques Ferrier Architecture
• From feasibility to master plan, by Paris Urban Planning Agency APUR for Greater Paris, and by Surbana and
URA for Singapore.
• Environmental innovation in urban projects by EDF, HBD and URA based on Singapore’s
Singapore experience.
• Policy/regulatory
y/regulatory models and business models for sustainable urban land and real estate development, by
ESSEC.
Urban planning
•Preliminary studies
•Requirements studies
•Urban forecast
•Urban design
Integration of environmental
sustainability standards
Implementation of urban
infrastructures
•Environmental
Environmental commitments
•Climate
Climate change plan
•Design
Design of innovative technical solutions
•Laws and regulations
•Public private partnership
•Contracts
Contracts with operators
Jacques Ferrier Architecture's and APUR’s presentations on Greater Paris were much appreciated and helped to raise
awareness among the participants of the French approach to planning.
EDF, Veolia, Schneider, Bolloré, Alstom
lstom or Thales had the opportunity to showcase their expertise and capacity for
innovation in the field of sustainable cities.
Lectures and field visits were sequenced so as to vividly mirror French and Singaporean achievements.
For example, on the topics of transport and mobility, participants were able to gain many insights through the site
visits and the lectures. Among the most informative and beneficial site visits were the Kim Chuan
C
Depot and the LTA’s
Intelligent Transport Systems centre. Participants learnt a lot about how a first-class
first class public transportation system is
managed in Singapore, with traffic control systems by Thales, and trains by Alstom.
As a result of close collaboration
boration between French authorities (AFD, French Embassy, Vivapolis),
Vivapolis) academic institutions
(ESSEC Asia Pacific, NTU) and the private sector, the
th seminar contributed to the visibility in the region of French
solutions in line with the French Government's strategic emphasis on "Better living in cities",
cities" as well as to
strengthening the position of French expertise in the emerging economies of Southeast-Asia.
Asia.
Feedback from participants
“I thank you very much for this wonderful seminar which really
expanded my perspective and understanding of the integrated urban
development and opening up further possibilities to work with AFD and
other French companies.”
Mr Sunaryo, Policy adviser, Government of central Java
“We were able to share our knowledge with our fellow
participants, we were able to get a feel for the best practices of
both Singapore and France from both the public and private
sector, and we were able to build up capacity on our end
specifically through the lectures and site visits.”
Mr Lagura Yap, Executive Director, Cebu City Gov., Philippines
The ambitious seminar achieved participation of 22 officials from 8 countries with varying expertise and backgrounds,
from various types of public institutions and faced with widely varying urban challenges.
Participants gained insights into the successful experiences of Singapore and France in urban planning and
development as well as the establishment, governance and management of successful public utilities to the public and
private residential and commercial sectors.
At the end of the program, many participants emphasized how it helped them achieve a better understanding of their
role and responsibilities in the development of an integrated urban project from start to finish. Throughout the seminar,
participants became more aware of effective levers for action by city governments: regulation-making, practical
solutions for urban design, and fostering innovative projects.
Attendees were required to prepare material in order to share their local issues with organizers and other attendees.
They prepared short reports and slideshows to summarize their reports. Topics chosen dealt with urban and transport
planning, sustainable development, risk management.
Feedbacks from lecturers
lectur
“This seminar perfectly combined training with
theoretical contributions, concrete case studies and
private sector know-how.”
Eric Lesueur CEO of INNOVE - VEOLIA
“This AFD-SCP joint seminar has generated fruitful exchanges
between speakers and participants, resulting in rich discussions.”
discussions.
Olivier Cornefert Architect from JACQUES FERRIER ARCHITECTURE
Supported by the French Embassy in Singapore and French Economic Missions in Southeast-Asian
South
countries, the
seminar hosted fifteen speakers from French firms and public institutions.
Through theoretical, methodological and empirical contributions, our partners were given an opportunity to promote
their projects and innovative approaches, such as a sustainable city simulator, the construction and financing of a
complex facility through Public-Private
Private Partnership,
Partnership environmental services
ces management, innovative
inno
mobility solutions,
etc..
Some site visits offered
ed by our Singaporean counterparts integrated French expertise and solutions. For example, the
MRT system underground visit conducted by the Land Transport Authority also showcased new subway trains
supplied by Alstom.
nformal exchanges between participants and speakers made for rich
Informal
discussionss and provided French companies with a powerful channel to
network and to broker their views.
Participants
S/N
Country
Full Name
Designation
Department
Organisation
1
Brunei
Ms Han Qin Yun
Landscape Architect
Department of Environment, Parks and
Recreation
Ministry of Development
2
Brunei
Mrs Haji Saini Hajah
Noorhadini
Project Officer Assistant
Grade 1
Department of Environment, Parks and
Recreation
Ministry of Development
3
Cambodia Mr So Platong
Acting Governor
Siem Reap City
Siem Reap Province
4
Cambodia Mr Seng Vannak
Deputy Head of Division of
Urban Planning
Urban Management
City Hall of Phnomh Penh
5
Indonesia Mr Sunaryo
Expert Staff to Governor of
Central Java
Governor Office
The Government of Central Java
6
Indonesia Mr Tiro Muhammad Masri
Secretary
Local Development Planning Agency
Government of Makassar City
7
Lao
Ms Luza Seang Chan
Technical Staff
Public Works and Transport Institute
Ministry of Public Works and Transport
8
Lao
Mr Boun Thien Chittapone
Officer
Department of Housing and Urban Planning Ministry of Public Works and Transport
9
Malaysia
Mr Rosli Ariff Iskandar
Senior Executive
Policy, Planning and Research Department
Land Public Transport Commission
(SPAD)
10
Malaysia
Ms Mohd Jaflis Nurul Atiqah Executive
Policy, Planning and Research Department
Land Public Transport Commission
(SPAD)
11
Philippines Ms Ramos Loida
Technical Assistant
Bureau of Local Government Supervision
Department of the Interior and local
Government
12
Philippines Mr Fajardo Harold Duane
Local Government Operations
Bureau of Local Government Supervision
Officer (LGOO II)
Department of the Interior and local
Government
13
Philippines
Mr Yap Rafael Christopher
Lagura
Executive Director
City Traffic Operations Management
Cebu City Government
14
Thailand
Mr Monthon Yiampisan
City Planner
City Planner Department
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
15
Thailand
Ms Leanganan Sirikul
Town Planner
Department of Public Works and Town and
Ministry of Interior
Country Planning
16
Thailand
Mr Muentabutra Sa-nbad
Director of Research and
Development
17
Thailand
Mr Seeda Athiwat
City Planner
18
Vietnam
Ms Phan Thi Hien
Deputy Manager
19
Vietnam
Mrs Le Kieu Thanh
Vice chief
Department of Science and Technical
Vietnam Institute for Urban and Rural
Planning
20
Vietnam
Mr Pham Van Phuoc
General-in-chief
Planning 2 Department
Urban Planning and Construction Institute
21
Vietnam
Mr Pham Gia Luong
Head
Division of Planning and Urban Design
Hanoi Urban Planning Institute
22
Vietnam
Mr Ngo Trung Hai
General Director
Community Development Institute
City Planning Department
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
Danang Evironment Protection Agency
Vietnam Institute for Urban and Rural
Planning
Program schedule
Speakers