July 14, 2026 · 4 min read
Singapore, a marvel of modern urban planning, has transformed itself from a small island nation into a global hub renowned for its efficiency, sustainability, and innovative design. This success story isn't confined to its own borders; the city-state actively shares its expertise, influencing the development of ambitious projects worldwide.
While many know Singapore for its iconic Gardens by the Bay or its meticulously clean streets, fewer realize the extent of its global reach. We're exploring what are some other major cities in the world that Singapore is offering expertise to, spotlighting fascinating, often underrated places where its vision is helping craft the cities of tomorrow.
1. India's Planned Green Capital
Amaravati, India
This ambitious new capital city in India was designed from scratch with a master plan crafted by Singaporean consultants.
Amaravati, intended as the future capital of Andhra Pradesh, represents a bold vision for a sustainable, green city built along the Krishna River. Singapore's Surbana Jurong and Ascendas-Singbridge (now Capitaland) played a key role in developing its master plan, aiming for high livability, economic vibrancy, and environmental sustainability. The design incorporates extensive green spaces and water bodies, reflecting Singapore's emphasis on integrating nature into urban fabric.
2. The Eco-City on Barren Land
Tianjin Eco-City, China
This remarkable city is a direct collaboration between China and Singapore, built on non-arable, saline-alkaline land to be a model for sustainable urban development.
The Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City stands as a testament to overcoming environmental challenges through deliberate planning. Conceived to be socially harmonious, environmentally friendly, and resource-efficient, it transformed previously barren land into a thriving urban environment. Singapore’s expertise in water management, green building standards, and waste-to-energy solutions were crucial in developing this blueprint for future eco-cities.
3. A Disaster-Resilient Hub
New Clark City, Philippines
Rising from a former US air base, this burgeoning metropolis in the Philippines is being designed to withstand natural disasters with Singaporean-influenced urban planning.
New Clark City is envisioned as a smart, green, and resilient urban center, aiming to decongest Manila and provide a safe haven from natural calamities common in the Philippines. Drawing inspiration from Singapore's compact and efficient urban model, its design prioritizes disaster resilience, with features like elevated infrastructure and green buffer zones. Singaporean firms have provided consultancy on master planning and infrastructure development, focusing on sustainability and smart technology integration.
4. Africa's Cleanest Capital
Kigali, Rwanda
Once scarred by conflict, Kigali has transformed into one of Africa's cleanest and greenest capitals, often citing Singapore as a key inspiration for its urban renaissance.
Kigali's remarkable transformation is a powerful story of urban rejuvenation. While not a direct planning contract, the city's leadership openly references Singapore as a benchmark for its ambitious urban development goals, particularly in areas like cleanliness, public safety, and green spaces. The focus on efficient public services and environmental stewardship has made Kigali a model for sustainable growth on the continent, demonstrating how inspiration can drive local innovation.
5. Indonesia's Industrial Gateway
Batam, Indonesia
Just a short ferry ride from Singapore, Batam has evolved from sleepy islands into a dynamic industrial and tourism hub, heavily influenced by its prosperous neighbor's planning strategies.
Batam's strategic location in the Riau Archipelago has made it a key partner in the SIJORI (Singapore-Johor-Riau) Growth Triangle. Singapore has provided significant investment and expertise in developing its industrial parks, infrastructure, and tourism facilities. The island's transformation into a manufacturing and logistics base reflects Singapore's model of creating economic zones with robust infrastructure and efficient governance to attract foreign investment.
6. Saudi Arabia's Economic Divergence
King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), Saudi Arabia
This mega-city rising from the Saudi Arabian desert aims to diversify the kingdom's economy, with its port and logistics hub drawing on global best practices, including Singapore's.
KAEC is a monumental project designed to be a major economic engine for Saudi Arabia, focused on logistics, manufacturing, and tourism. While a broad international effort, Singapore's world-leading expertise in port management (through PSA International) and urban logistics planning provides a significant benchmark and influence. The city's King Abdullah Port, one of the world's fastest-growing, exemplifies the kind of efficient, high-capacity infrastructure Singapore is known for.
7. Vietnam's Coastal Green Future
Da Nang, Vietnam
This vibrant coastal city in Vietnam is actively pursuing green and smart urban development, benefiting from Singaporean investment and consultation on sustainable practices.
Da Nang is rapidly transforming into a major economic and tourism center in Vietnam, with a strong commitment to sustainable development. Singaporean companies have been involved in various projects, from port development to urban planning consultancy, focusing on environmental protection and smart city initiatives. The city aims to balance its rapid growth with preserving its natural beauty and enhancing livability, echoing Singapore's own urban greening efforts.
8. Sri Lanka's Maritime Financial Hub
Colombo Port City, Sri Lanka
An entirely new financial district is being reclaimed from the Indian Ocean, designed to be a beacon of economic growth, with Singaporean firms contributing design and feasibility studies.
Colombo Port City, often called 'Colombo International Financial City,' is a massive land reclamation project envisioned as a modern financial and business hub. Singaporean urban planning and architectural firms have been involved in its conceptualization and feasibility studies, bringing their experience in creating compact, high-density, and highly functional urban environments. The project aims to replicate aspects of Singapore's success as a global financial center, leveraging its strategic maritime location.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Singapore sought after for urban planning?
Singapore's remarkable transformation from a developing nation to a first-world city-state in a single generation showcases its effective, long-term urban planning strategies. Its expertise spans sustainable development, water management, green infrastructure, efficient public transport, and creating high-density yet livable environments, making it a valuable consultant globally.
What kind of projects does Singapore typically advise on?
Singapore often advises on large-scale, strategic projects. This includes master planning for new cities or districts, developing eco-cities, creating industrial parks, improving port logistics, and implementing smart city technologies. The focus is usually on integrated solutions that address economic, environmental, and social sustainability.
Are these collaborations only in Asia?
While many collaborations are in Asia due to geographical proximity and shared development challenges, Singapore's urban planning influence extends much further. As seen with Kigali in Rwanda and KAEC in Saudi Arabia, its expertise is valued by nations across different continents seeking to build resilient, sustainable, and economically vibrant cities.
How can I discover the stories behind these cities?
With AllTours.ai, simply point your phone camera at a landmark or landscape in these cities – or any other intriguing location. Our AI will instantly narrate its unique history, geology, and culture in your language, bringing the hidden stories of the world to life right before your eyes.
Photography via Pexels. AllTours.ai is an AI audio tour guide — point your camera at any landscape and hear its story.