Centre for Liveable Cities

What Centre for Liveable Cities does

The Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) is a Singapore government agency established in 2008 as a division of the Ministry of National Development. It operates as Singapore's official knowledge repository for liveable and sustainable urban development, distilling lessons from the country's decades-long urban transformation and producing forward-looking research on urban challenges. The organisation's primary audiences are government officials: Singapore Public Service Officers (especially in the Infrastructure & Environment sector) and international city leaders, urban practitioners, and academic researchers.

Its portfolio is built around three functional pillars. The first is knowledge aggregation and dissemination: the Knowledge Hub (hosting 462 articles, 75 Better Cities issues, 42 books, and 39 Urban Systems Studies documents), the proprietary Liveability Framework refreshed in 2024, and the Urban Systems Studies oral history series capturing tacit knowledge from Singapore's urban pioneers. The second is event platforms: the biennial World Cities Summit (drawing over 250 unique cities since 2008), the annual Science of Cities Symposium co-curated with the Singapore-ETH Centre, the CLC Lecture Series, and the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize administered jointly with the Urban Redevelopment Authority. The third is capability development: tiered programmes for Singapore officers (City EXCEL, EDGE, LUGP) plus International Programmes for global city leaders and urban advisory services delivered to developing cities including Amaravati (India) and Colombo (Sri Lanka).

The go-to-market is governmental rather than commercial. CLC is fully funded by the Singapore state and provides all research, publications, training, events, and advisory services free of charge. Distribution occurs through direct government-to-government channels, multilateral partnerships (UNDP, UN-Habitat, World Bank, C40 Cities), academic collaborations (NUS, SMU, SUTD, Singapore-ETH Centre), and global consultancy partnerships (ARUP, Ramboll, ULI). The organisation maintains approximately 60 staff operating from two Singapore locations (the MND Complex headquarters and the URA Centre Knowledge Hub office), and CLC Ltd functions as a wholly-owned company limited by guarantee supporting its operational mission.

Name

Centre for Liveable Cities

Legal name

Centre for Liveable Cities

Website

https://clc.gov.sg

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Centre for Liveable Cities is a Singapore government agency under the Ministry of National Development, established in 2008 to research, document, and disseminate knowledge on liveable and sustainable urban development to government officers and international city leaders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Urban Policy Research and Advisory

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251)

akta.pro primary industry

Mayor/City Manager & General Administration (BPAIACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Smart Cities & Urban Innovation Programs (Digital Planning, Civic Tech for Cities) (BPAIANAJ), State/Provincial Housing, Urban/Regional Planning & Community Development (BPAIABAM), Sustainable Cities, Urban Development & Green Infrastructure (BPADALAL)

Keywords

• Urban policy research
• Sustainable city development
• Government training programmes
• City advisory services
• Urban knowledge publications

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore, Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: As a division of Singapore's Ministry of National Development, CLC is a government agency primarily funded through public resources. Services including research, publications, training programmes, and advisory work are provided free of charge to participants.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Centre for Liveable Cities is a Singapore government agency that distils, creates, and shares knowledge on liveable and sustainable cities. It delivers research and publications, practitioner-oriented training programmes for government officers, urban advisory services to developing cities, and knowledge-exchange events including the biennial World Cities Summit, Science of Cities Symposium, and CLC Lecture Series. It also administers the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize.

Product overview

The Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) operates as a unified knowledge-sharing platform rather than a traditional product company. Its portfolio comprises event platforms (World Cities Summit, Science of Cities Symposium, CLC Lecture Series), training programmes (City EXCEL, EDGE, LUGP, and International Programmes), and knowledge repositories (Knowledge Hub with Urban Systems Studies, Urban Solutions, and Books publications). The organisation also administers the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize and provides urban advisory services to developing cities. These offerings work together to position Singapore as a global hub for urban solutions by distilling and sharing knowledge on liveable and sustainable city development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• World Cities Summit: Biennial global platform for government leaders and industry experts to address liveable and sustainable city challenges
• Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize
• Science of Cities Symposium
• City EXCEL Programme
• EDGE Programme
• LUGP
• CLC Lecture Series
• Liveability Framework
• CLC Ltd

Products and services

• World Cities Summit A biennial global platform for government leaders and industry experts to address liveable and sustainable city challenges, share integrated urban solutions, and forge new partnerships. Features the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize, Mayors Forum, Young Leaders Symposium, and Science of Cities Symposium.
• CLC Lecture Series A platform for thought leaders and experts in urban development and planning to exchange ideas and share knowledge on creating liveable cities.
• Science of Cities Symposium Annual symposium bringing together international academic researchers, urban practitioners, and industry professionals to share scientific knowledge, novel research methodologies, and insights on tackling urban challenges. Features poster exhibitions and panel discussions on topics including complexity science, decarbonisation, and regenerative cities.
• City Executive Leaders Programme (City EXCEL) A 5-day practitioner-led foundation course for junior to mid-level Public Service Officers to learn about Singapore's Liveability Framework and urban development principles through seminars, learning journeys, and group projects. Completed its 100th run in May 2024.
• Executive Development & Growth Exchange Programme (EDGE) A practitioner-led course for young, high-performing Singapore Public Service officers in the Infrastructure & Environment sector who demonstrate leadership potential and aspire to acquire broader perspectives on urban development.
• Leaders in Urban Governance Programme for Senior Management (LUGP) A practitioner-led course for high-performing senior Singapore Public Service officers in the Infrastructure & Environment sector, examining strategies for working with communities and markets, and providing insights on leading R&D, engineering capabilities, and models of urban development.
• International Programmes Programmes curated and organised for international city leaders and urban officials, drawing from Singapore's experiences in high-density, high-liveability urban development and management.
• Knowledge Hub An information repository including the Liveability Framework, publications (Urban Systems Studies series, Urban Solutions, Books, Better Cities newsletter), and research outputs accessible to urban leaders and policymakers.
• Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize A biennial international award that honours outstanding contributions towards the creation of vibrant, liveable and sustainable urban communities, awarded to cities and their key leaders.
• Media Releases and Publications Extensive library of publications including 462 articles, 75 Better Cities issues, 42 books, 28 Urban Solutions issues, and 39 Urban Systems Studies documents covering Singapore's urban development journey.
• Urban Advisory Services Advisory services on urban and infrastructure planning, development and management to developing cities, including collaborations with Amaravati (India) and Colombo (Sri Lanka).

Quantifiable outcome

• Singapore consistently ranked well in various international liveability surveys despite being a densely populated island city-state
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and key.

• C40 CitiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2025Memorandum of Understanding signed 25 June 2025 to advance people-centred, climate-resilient urban futures through collaborative initiatives between CLC and C40 Cities network of major cities.
• Resonance / WRLDCTY Pte LtdkeyGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 February 2025Advisors in real estate, tourism and economic development. Creates transformative strategies and campaigns for destinations and cities. MoU signed 12 February 2025. Also organises WRLDCTY global conference on urban design, real estate, and technology.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2025UN's global development network advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge and resources. MoU signed 27 January 2025 to enhance sustainable urban development collaboration.
• Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2024Joint launch of City Network for the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize (June 2024). URA and CLC jointly organise the World Cities Summit and associated events including the prestigious biennial prize.
• National University of Singapore (NUS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSingapore's flagship university offering global education and research with Asian perspectives. Collaborates with CLC on research and capability development, with focus on energy, environmental and urban sustainability, and Smart Nation capabilities including AI and data science.
• Singapore Management University (SMU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 2000, SMU is recognised for disciplinary and multi-disciplinary research addressing global issues impacting business, government and society. Partners with CLC on urban research and hosts events at its city campus.
• Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of first universities to incorporate design and technology into holistic interdisciplinary education. MoU signed 13 March 2025 for enhanced collaboration. SUTD's pivot towards AI complements CLC's urban research focus.
• Singapore-ETH CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 2010 as collaboration between ETH Zurich and Singapore's National Research Foundation. Runs Future Cities Lab Global, Future Resilient Systems, and Future Health Technologies research programmes. Co-curates Science of Cities Symposium panels.
• UN-HabitatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN programme working towards better urban future. Together developed International Capability Development Programmes pilot for African nations (June 2017). Promotes socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements.
• World BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through World Bank Group-Singapore Hub established to strengthen research collaborations on selected topics. Singapore's urban and infrastructure development expertise accessed for regional client needs.
• ARUPkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal design and engineering firm with 18,500 designers across 140 countries. Dedicated to sustainable development and planning net-zero built environment. Contributes expertise on resilient communities and infrastructure.
• RambollkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal architecture, engineering and consultancy from Denmark (1945) with 18,000+ experts. December 2023 joint press release launched Urban Lab for regenerative city planning principles. Focus on sustainable cities and societies.
• Urban Land InstitutekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal nonprofit education and research institute dedicated to responsible land use and creating thriving communities. Since 1936, ULI has been source for best practices and impartial information in real estate and land use.
• Development Research Center of the State Council (China)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerChina's state agency for policy research and strategic consulting on economic and social development. Jointly published 'Challenges and Reforms in Urban Governance' in 2016 (English and Chinese). Collaborates on research and visiting programmes.
• National Development and Reform Commission (China)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerChina's macroeconomic management agency with broad administrative and planning control over economy. Collaborates extensively with CLC on research, visiting and training programmes.
• Seoul InstitutekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch organisation established by Seoul Metropolitan Government in 1992. Improves municipal administration and quality of life through medium- and long-term vision setting and policy research.
• Bilbao Metropoli-30keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished 1991, primarily concerned with strategic planning and research for metropolitan Bilbao revitalisation. Umbrella organisation coordinating private and public partners for long-term development goals.
• Urban Innovation ViennakeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment-linked think tank driving innovation in urban development and sustainability. Works on projects enhancing quality of life, fostering sustainable practices, and promoting inclusive urban environments.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• LSE Cities: Research centre at the London School of Economics studying urbanisation, infrastructure, and city governance. Comparable as a research-and-education hub producing urban knowledge products (reports, executive education) for city leaders globally.
• C40 Cities: Global network of major cities focused on climate action. CLC signed MoU with C40 in June 2025; directly comparable as a city-leader convening and knowledge-sharing platform addressing urban sustainability challenges.
• Urban Land Institute (ULI): Global nonprofit education and research institute on responsible land use and thriving communities; CLC partnered with ULI for the 2012 '10 Principles for Liveable High-Density Cities'. Comparable as a knowledge/practitioner network serving urban leaders.
• UN-Habitat: UN programme working towards better urban futures and socially/environmentally sustainable human settlements. Already a CLC partner and co-developer of International Capability Development Programmes; directly comparable as a global knowledge and policy hub for cities.
• Brookings Institution (Metropolitan Policy Program): US-based think tank producing urban policy research, data tools, and city leadership convenings. Comparable as a knowledge-creation institution targeting city leaders and policymakers, though operating commercially rather than governmentally.
• World Resources Institute (Ross Center for Sustainable Cities): Global research organisation operating the Ross Center, focused on sustainable urban mobility, building efficiency, and inclusive urban planning. Comparable as a knowledge/advocacy hub producing city-focused research and frameworks.
• Lincoln Institute of Land Policy: Independent nonprofit producing land-policy research, education, and convening for urban leaders globally. Comparable as a knowledge/research institution focused on urban planning and land use, with similar educational and publication functions.
• Seoul Institute: Research organisation established by Seoul Metropolitan Government in 1992 to improve municipal administration and quality of life. Highly comparable as a city-government-affiliated research body producing policy research and capability programmes for a major Asian metropolis.

Broad incumbents

• World Bank Group-Singapore Hub: Established partnership hub strengthening research collaborations on urban/infrastructure topics. Comparable as a development institution producing urban research and advisory outputs to client governments, but with much broader mandate.
• OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities: OECD's policy directorate producing the OECD Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth initiative and city-level policy reviews. Comparable as an international urban policy research body, but broader scope (regions, SMEs) beyond CLC's liveable-cities focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clcsg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Centre for Liveable Cities