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Urban planning must now take into account extreme weather conditions, advised urban planning experts. According to Larry Ng, a former Senior Planning Authority Chairman of Singapore, city design and planning must consider the specific needs and conditions of each city. Ng urged the construction of closed-loop systems tailored to each city's unique circumstances, along with strengthening collective efforts to build cities ready to face climate change and resource challenges.

Closed-loop systems refer to a method where resources and waste materials are reused rather than treated as waste. As a planner for URA Singapore for 20 years since 2004, Ng emphasized that planning must begin now to address the impacts of rising temperatures and sea levels in the future, as cities are built to last for decades.

He stressed that planning is an initial step in preparing for risks, not a response after they occur. Infrastructure, roads, irrigation systems, or land-use patterns designed today may still be used in 50 or 100 years. If we wait until their impacts become clear in 2100, it will be too late to change the infrastructure that has been built, he told FMT.

He stressed that design, planning, and foundations must be viewed as interconnected fields rather than separate discussions. Better coordination can prevent conflicting objectives and achieve more effective outcomes. Conflicting planning decisions can create chaos, where the primary and secondary benefits of urban planning cannot be realized in the long term, he said, adding that more personalized and comprehensive urban planning, especially as land availability becomes critically scarce, is critical.

The need to reassess Malaysia's approach to urban planning was highlighted by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, who urged the Malaysian urban planning framework to shift from control to fostering responsible innovation. Ng, who will speak at the upcoming International Green Building Conference, emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to personalized urban planning.

He stressed the importance of coordinating with the public and prioritizing each city's specific needs to achieve comprehensive and long-term benefits. Singapore's urban landscape fundamentals, including the roles of landscape architects, building owners, and landowners, must be unified to promote green integration in urban development.