Cityscape Asia, which was launched recently following the extraordinary success of Cityscape Dubai, now the world’s largest international property investment and development event, has received official support and endorsements from key government and industry bodies such as Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA), the Singapore Institute of Planners (SIP), The Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) which is a branch of FIABCI the international real estate federation.
As headline supporter of the event, URA is Singapore's national land use planning authority. It prepares long term strategic plans, as well as detailed local area plans, for physical development and then co-ordinates and provides direction to turn plans into reality. Prudent land use planning has enabled Singapore to enjoy strong economic growth and social cohesion, and ensures that sufficient land is safeguarded to support continued economic progress and future development.
Neil Hickman, Exhibition Director, Cityscape Asia commented, “The support from URA is essential to the success of Cityscape Asia. Singapore has long been admired as a beacon for best practice in urban planning, green architecture and environmental planning, resulting in high quality urban living within a thriving business community. It is considered a role-model by many regional and international planners and epitomises the true vision of Cityscape Asia. Their contribution will be considerable.”
The Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) the national organisation representing the interests of architects in Singapore has given Cityscape their full backing. Their main objectives are to study and promote the art, science and practice of architecture, represent and express the views and opinions of architects, preserve professional integrity through a Professional Code of Conduct, advance architectural education, training, practice and research and recognise and reward architectural merit.
Renowned international architect, Will Alsop said, “Singapore was amongst the first modern cities in South East Asia, meticulous planning and high quality design were at the heart of their development. Singapore continues in its search for excellence and as such remains an architectural icon in all of its dimensions.”
As well as being a urban planning role model, Singapore also has the financial muscle to make it an attractive portal for investors looking for access to the region. With a structured, stable and transparent financial environment combined with local and regional expertise, it is estimated that there is in excess of US$ 16 billion in available capital.
Singapore is the gateway to one of the largest investment and development markets in the world and a logical destination to launch Cityscape Asia. Investors can reach a market consisting of 2.8 billion consumers, with 291 major projects either on the drawing-board or underway throughout a region that includes Singapore, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan and the Asia Pacific Rim.
“As an investment professional the advantages of Singapore are clear. Not only is the U.S. market heading for a probable downturn, other regions of the world just don’t have the right matrix of risk and reward as Singapore and S.E. Asia,” said John A. Sandwick, Managing Director of Encore Management S.A. in Geneva, Switzerland.
Cityscape Asia is due to be inaugurated at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre 10-12 April 2007. The three-day event will highlight regional investment opportunities, iconic architecture and development best practice to global investors through a world-class conference and up to 6,000 square metres of exhibition space.
