Many of the crises we face—flooding, gridlock, unsafe neighborhoods, fragile utilities—are not surprises. They are the predictable outcomes of failing to plan or of making plans that never see fruition. We don’t suffer from a shortage or failure of planning—we suffer from a shortage of follow-through.

Locals passing by the Pasig river Esplanade. Photo by WTA, 2025. Our cities, streets and places are dynamic sites. At its base is the...

How are libraries relevant today? Are libraries front page news? How do we activate our public spaces and make people value them more? Should we reinvent the library or can the architecture be evolved to make them more suitable for today’s societies?

We always talk about smart cities and how technology can help change our lives. We imagine a bright future where green cities prosper, where technology and infrastructure make urban life convenient and efficient. We all want a smart and beautiful city to live in. But what makes cities smart? What makes our cities and lifestyles delightful and charming?