The Temasek Foundation Leaders of Urban Governance Programme (TFLUGP) 2022 Follow-Up Visits

As part of follow-up to the November 2022 edition of the Temasek Foundation
Leaders of Urban Governance Programme (TFLUGP), two teams of experts from Singapore visited Ho Chi Minh City and Ipoh in January 2024.. These visits were for these cities to showcase the progress of their urban development action plans and deepen mutual ties.

The delegation to Ho Chi Minh City was hosted by Dr Nguyen Thanh Nha, Director of the Department of Planning and Architecture (DPA) and Dr Nguyen Anh Tuan, Head of DPA’s Planning Division, who had led the Vietnamese participants to TFLUGP in 2022. Over a series of discussions, a resource person from CLC and city officials explored ideas and initiatives that could be considered for the development of the Saigon River Corridor, which the DPA has planned for since the city’s participation at TFLUGP 2022. Outcomes from the study would be integrated into the Ho Chi Minh City Master Plan Revision. In preparation for these sessions, our Vietnamese hosts brought the delegation on site visits to the Saigon River corridor, including Nha Rong Port, Thu Duc City, and Thanh Da Peninsula.

The delegation to Ipoh City was hosted by the Mayor of Ipoh Datuk Rumaizi Baharin and his team led by Mr Arif bin Mohd Zainudin, Director of Works and Building Department, and Ipoh City Council. The Ipoh City Council updated on the headway they have made on their plans to make Ipoh a Smart, Walkable and Low-Carbon City by 2030. Some initiatives that they have carried out include lengthening bicycle pathways, enhancing the safety of pedestrian walkways, and setting up enforcement teams to address littering and illegal dumping in the city. The Singapore delegation was also hosted on visits to Ipoh Old Town, Ipoh Town Hall, Waller Court, and Tasik Cermin Ipoh (Ipoh Mirror Lake).

The delegation was also honoured to meet Mr Munir bin Ishak, Deputy Mayor; Haji Mohd Zainal bin Abdul Hamid, Director of City Planning, and Perak state politician YB Sandrea Ng Shy Ching, who oversees Housing and Local Government issues.

CLC would like to acknowledge and thank both cities for their warm hospitality and fruitful discussions. We look forward to strengthening our ties and welcoming these city leaders to the World Cities Summit and the World Cities Summit Mayors Forum.