The starbucks-isation of cities - when cities start looking alike, the shopping malls, the residential blocks, the experience.

I enjoy Starbucks and its convenience; getting it from anywhere in the city. Culture and identity as one of the important themes when planning for cities.

It is critical that cities maintain their identity while becoming smarter and more technologically-enabled; that it maintains its identity and what makes them unique – its experience, culture and heritage.

Cities are very dynamic, they are constantly evolving. What make cities great are all the different types of interactions and experience we have in cities. Cities are where the friction happens - the vibrations, the exchange of ideas - where innovation is created.

There are more naturally beautiful cities than others; there are better-organised cities than others. A perfect city cannot exist because our own expectations as residents are constantly in flux. As if we are always looking for the next thing in cities. Stagnation is not a possibility. The best cities are those that don’t sit, rest, and believe they are accomplished and constantly reinvent themselves.

WCS 2016