According to the UN Habitat figures, population in urban areas in less developed countries will grow from 1.9 billion in 2000 to 3.9 billion in 2030. This surge in the numbers of dwellers will put a strain on the existing infrastructures, worsen living conditions, create unsanitary environments and carve out slums and disaster prone sites. The threat from unplanned, unbridled and uncoordinated urban development results is real and looms over many cities. Hence it becomes urgent for policy makers to manage urbanization as it occurs by implementing effective land-use management, providing reliable and affordable access to basic services, education, housing, transport and health. We need a collective effort in ensuring a viable future.​

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In the first Assembly from 2011-2016, the competition featured populous epicenters of commerce, that had historical significance and held political legacies and significance in their own period - Hanoi, Iskandar Malaysia, Yangon, Manila and Jakarta. In the second Assembly series, Phnom Penh (2017), and Brunei Darrusalam (2018) were featured. This year, 2025, will see the return of this competition for the first time since COVID, and it will feature the case study of Planning a Clean & Green City for Phuket, Thailand.

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This international township planning competition – The Young Mayor Competition - hopes to nurture youth leaders for a sustainable future. Targeted at youths between the ages of 14-26 years old, inviting teams from the whole Southeast Asia, and especially students from the case-study country to participate. To participate and learn more about the competition, please click on the link below. 

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