On June 15, the 2026 Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Awards Ceremony was held in Singapore during the 2026 World Cities Summit (June 14-16). Guangzhou's delegation received the special mention from Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, marking global recognition of the city's outstanding practices in sustainable urban development and modern urban governance.

Fiercely contested among 55 nominated cities across the globe, the special mention was jointly awarded to Guangzhou, Antwerp of Belgium and Budapest of Hungary.

The jury praised Guangzhou for its strategic shift from growth-driven development to a model featuring community co-construction, cultural heritage conservation and ecological sustainability. As a megacity with 19 million residents, Guangzhou has struck a fine balance between economic vitality, social well-being and ecological resilience.

Its community-oriented micro-renewal projects, historical heritage revitalization, nature-based green infrastructure and polycentric development boosted by high-speed rail networks provide replicable references for fast-urbanizing cities worldwide.

Established by the Singapore government in 2009, the biennial prestigious prize assesses cities on four core dimensions: livability, sustainability, urban vitality and quality of life.

Source: Guangzhou Daily
English Author & Editor: Lyu Yun