Traditional categories such as the “city” or the “metropolis” no longer capture the networked realities of contemporary urbanization. Settlement systems include not only neighborhoods and buildings, but also hinterlands, ecosystems, water and energy flows and mobility networks, as well as cycles of production and consumption. Urbanization is both spatial and temporal, shaped by rhythms of agriculture, commuting and neighborhood lifecycles, in addition to the long horizons and challenges of climate change. Engaging with this complexity requires new research methods and tools. This publication provides insight into Future Cities Laboratory (FCL)’s multifaceted research on future sustainable urban development and the actions taken to translate this knowledge into tangible results, supporting and guiding decision-makers within governmental and political entities towards sustainable urban transformation. Established in Singapore in 2010, FCL has grown into a pioneering platform for international research on urbanization. With over 150 researchers across its hubs in Singapore and Zurich, it brings together a variety of academic, professional and cultural viewpoints to help shape the cities of tomorrow.
