Global experts convened at the SMU City Dialogues in Vienna on 2 July 2025 to discuss the pressing issue of urban resilience. Organised by Singapore Management University (SMU) in partnership with Urban Innovation Vienna, the event gathered over 100 attendees from 20 countries, including representatives from more than 20 universities and over 30 organisations. The dialogue, a partner event of the World Cities Summit 2025, aimed to explore the value of urban resilience through various thematic tracks.
The event featured a keynote address by Jürgen Czernohorszky, Executive City Councillor for Climate, Environment, Democracy, and Personnel of Vienna. Discussions centred around three core dimensions: finance and public-private partnerships, social equity and environmental sustainability, and innovation and technology. SMU professors Winston Chow and Orlando Woods, alongside Johannes Lutter from Urban Innovation Vienna, led a session summarising key takeaways.
Professor Winston Chow emphasised that urban resilience requires aligning financial systems with social goals and building trust through governance. He warned against overreliance on public-private partnerships, stating, “They require competent, stable governments, extensive due diligence, and clear alignment of interest.”
Professor Orlando Woods highlighted the limitations of digital solutions, noting, “It’s not about being a smart city. It’s about being a smart enough city.” He stressed that technology should not overshadow deeper systemic issues like inequality and infrastructural neglect.
Dr Johannes Lutter advocated for socially inclusive resilience, urging targeted action for vulnerable communities and fostering collaboration between governments and citizens.
The SMU City Dialogues series, initiated in 2019, aims to generate actionable recommendations for sustainable urban development through candid exchanges among policymakers, academics, and business leaders.
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