'Successful' cities share several essential components. From sustainable infrastructure and community engagement, to safety and accessibility, to economic opportunities – making a city more appealing and liveable is easier said than done. This speech therefore reveals the key elements that developers try to incorporate and, perhaps even more importantly, considers the mindset, leadership qualities and strategies necessary for fostering vibrancy, inclusivity and sustainability in cities, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

 

This includes a 15-minute “Ask the Expert” session, to ensure our keynote speaker answers your questions.

Mr Nicholas Brooke, Life Trustee and former Chairman of ULI Asia Pacific, will share based on his career experience how adopting an innovative attitude to risk-taking, envisioning and an entrepreneurial spirit can spark resilient urban development and the creation of a legacy for the benefit of future generations.

 

Brooke himself has mentored many industry leaders in the region and will outline his thoughts on the benefits of a multi-disciplinary and inter-generational approach to the building of better cities for all.

 

 

Understand Vietnam's F&B scene and the country’s romanticism with cocktail bars, cafes and ‘cosy spaces’ through an exploration of District 1's F&B alleys. This tour experience will allow you to:

 

 

Along the way share insights from local industry speakers, and then conclude with drinks and casual dining at Dot Drinkery & Kitchen, together with other REImagine attendees.

 

This is an all-weather walking tour. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Group will meet outside the conference room at 5.15pm and depart at 5.30pm sharp.

 

 

Join us for an evening of drinks and casual dining at the Dot Drinkery & Kitchen.

 

 

Unwind and network with fellow attendees on this first night in Saigon while enjoying meaningful conversations in a vibrant atmosphere. We look forward to seeing you there for an enjoyable evening of camaraderie and feel-good vibes!

  

Take this opportunity to visit Thu Thiem and learn how developments there have evolved over the years, transforming the Ho Chi Minh City landscape. Thu Thiem is a dynamic new urban area located on the Thu Thiem Peninsula. Envisioned as the city’s future financial and cultural hub, this 6.57 km² redevelopment project is strategically positioned across the Saigon River from the historic District 1, making it a prime location for both business and residential development.

 

The group will have an opportunity to tour:

 

- Sala City, a premier eco-urban area that redefines modern living in Ho Chi Minh City. Nestled in the heart of District 2, it spans an impressive 257 hectares. This thoughtfully designed community harmonises nature with urban convenience, creating a vibrant environment for residents and visitors alike.

 

- The Metropole Thu Thiem stands as a premier mixed-use development that redefines luxury living and modern urban lifestyle in Ho Chi Minh City. Inspired by world-class metropolitan areas, this vibrant community combines residential, commercial, and recreational spaces to create a unique urban experience.

 

- Empire City spans 14.6 hectares along the picturesque Saigon River. This premier mixed-use development features approximately 3,000 luxury apartments, an iconic 88-storey tower, and a variety of retail and office spaces. With world-class amenities, including lush green parks, swimming pools, and fitness centers, Empire City offers a harmonious blend of modern living and urban convenience.

 

 

 

Explore how modern hospitality concepts differ from traditional hotels as we centre on their economic impact and business influence on surrounding areas, as well as the co-living and wellness aspects of three forward looking developments in the heart of the city:

 

- Fusion Original Saigon Centre distinguishes itself from traditional hotels through its unique blend of local culture, innovative design, and a focus on well-being. Unlike conventional accommodations that often prioritize uniformity, Fusion Original embraces the vibrant essence of Ho Chi Minh City with colorful aesthetics and art that reflect Vietnamese heritage. The hotel promotes an immersive experience by offering workshops with local artisans and supporting the local art community. Its "OWN it" philosophy emphasises originality, well-being, and nurturing, providing guests with wellness services creatively integrated into their stay.

 

- M Village Living Tú Xuong sets itself apart by offering a unique blend of community-focused living and home-like comfort. The concept emphasises community living and promotes well-being through thoughtfully designed spaces that encourage relaxation and social interaction. The hotel integrates local culture into its design and services, offering experiences that reflect the lifestyle and traditions of Ho Chi Minh City.

 

- Wink Hotel Saigon Centre focuses on creating a modern, immersive experience that blends comfort with local culture. It emphasises a vibrant community atmosphere with multifunctional spaces designed for socialising, collaboration, and relaxation. It integrates local culture into its design and services and hosts engaging events such as pop-ups and networking gatherings to foster interactions among guests.

 

 

Led by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM), the master planners behind this area, this tour will visit Saigon South, one of Vietnam’s most successful planned communities. The Saigon South Master Plan is a comprehensive design to help Ho Chi Minh City accommodate the physical expansion generated by economic growth while safeguarding its significant cultural and natural assets. The 2,630-hectare master plan creates a modern, international community with a series of compact, walkable neighborhoods and an extensive network of scenic waterways. It presents the overall vision, concept, and development framework to allow the city to function as a self-contained community, and also offers flexible planning principles to address a range of potential development scenarios in this flourishing Vietnamese city.

 

Developed by the Phu My Hung Development Corporation, Phu My Hung is part of the Saigon South urban project and was transformed from marshland into a modern urban centre since its inception in the early 1990s. It has been recognised as a "model urban area" by the Ministry of Construction and the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City due to its successful urban planning and development. The area includes residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, making it a multifunctional urban environment that caters to both local and expatriate communities. 

 

 

This is an all-weather walking tour. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Group meets at the Hilton hotel lobby at 7.45am and the bus will depart at 8.00am sharp. 

 

Vietnam road traffic regulations require us to provide a manifest in advance of all bus passengers going on study tours in the event of an administration inspection. If you wish to join this study tour, please pre-register and provide your full name and birth year. We regret that on-site requests may not be accommodated in order to abide by these regulations. Please have your passport on hand for the tour.

 

Immersive workshops where we come together to REImagine the city of the future. Through dynamic, collaborative discussions, you'll dive deep into creative ideation, sparking innovative ideas and fostering meaningful conversations that shape the urban landscapes of tomorrow to build a visionary future, together.

 

10.30am   Lightning round - thematic trends

 

 

11.30am   Stretch break

 

11.40am  Table discussions 

How can urban planners, architects, designers, financiers and other participants navigate the challenges and capitalise on the opportunities to reimagine the future for each city? Tables discuss one scenario per theme:

 

Scenario: Inland Industrial City: "Steelville"

 

Scenario: Coastal Metropolis: 'New Atlantis"

 

Scenario: Rapidly Growing Megacity: "Novopolis" 

 

1.30pm   Solutions showcase 

Faced with the urgent challenges of climate change, resource scarcity, and growing social inequities, we need to fundamentally rethink how we fund, design, build, and manage our urban environments. This is not just about sustainability; it's about regeneration – creating cities that give back more than they take.

To help power communities to work, live and thrive in tomorrow's cities, it is important to drive more discussion around how PropTech and data analytics have emerged as transformative tools to aid in the design, planning and optimisation of urban spaces that prioritise inclusivity and resilience.

How can cities adapt as they grow and evolve spatially, responding to rapidly changed society changes impacting real estate?

What are the considerations and opportunities around using sustainable financing as an opportunity to attract investment to a city?

Given competing claims on public funding for cities, what innovative financing mechanisms and debt strategies are needed to foster prosperous cities?

 

 

Enjoy an exhilarating dining experience at Laang Saigon Central in the heart of District 1, where modern Vietnamese cuisine meets a vibrant atmosphere. Indulge in a menu filled with innovative dishes crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Its stylish decor and inviting ambiance create the perfect backdrop for a memorable close to REImagine 2024. With a focus on healthy, vegetarian-friendly options and exceptional service, Laang promises to delight your senses and foster meaningful connections over exquisite food. 

 

Bus departs from Hilton Saigon promptly at 6.15pm. Vietnam road traffic regulations require us to provide a manifest of all bus passengers in the event of an administration inspection. Please provide your full name and birth year, and have your passport on hand.