London conferred Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize 2026

Antwerp, Budapest, Guangzhou, Taipei, and Tianjin are also recognised for their remarkable transformative efforts, successful urban rejuvenation projects and programmes, and ability to galvanise citizens as part of their cities’ solutions.

1     London has been awarded the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize 2026. This is the eighth edition of the biennial international award which recognises cities that demonstrate outstanding innovation, effective governance and strategic leadership in tackling complex urban challenges.

2     With two-thirds of global growth projected to take place in cities by 2050, cities face increasing pressure to deliver sustainable, resilient and inclusive urban solutions to address the myriad challenges posed by urbanisation in order to benefit billions of city dwellers.

3     Many cities around the world have developed innovative solutions to address complex urban challenges. Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority and Centre for Liveable Cities jointly established the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize in 2010 to recognise cities which have demonstrated remarkable innovation and committed leadership in addressing urban challenges, and successfully created liveable, vibrant and sustainable communities.

4     In addition to London as the Laureate, Antwerp, Budapest, Guangzhou, Taipei, and Tianjin have also been selected as Special Mentions for their outstanding best practices in urban initiatives and innovative approaches to city transformation.

Delivering transformational change

5     London has been awarded the Prize for its exceptional capacity to reinvent itself and deliver transformational change for the densely built up metropolis. Despite the complexities of governing more than nine million residents across 32 boroughs and the City of London Corporation, London has demonstrated resilient leadership and coordinated governance in its approach to urban development. Some of its key strategies include:

     a) Managing complex transformations through robust governance structure and strong institutional frameworks. The introduction of the directly-elected Mayor and the Greater London Authority in 2000 has enabled London to develop strategic long-term plans, execute its transformative changes across 32 boroughs and the City of London Corporation, and sustain its key policies and priorities.

     b) Overcoming challenges to deliver programmes that benefit residents. The Ultra Low Emission Zone, the world’s largest clean air zone of its kind, has led to an estimated 54 per cent reduction in nitrogen dioxide concentrations in central London, and improved air quality for nine million residents, enabling the city to meet the United Kingdom’s legal limits a year ahead of schedule. In addition, social programmes such as London’s Universal Free School Meals potentially saved families of state primary school children over £500 (US$633/S$850) a year per child, on top of addressing inequality, improving the health and wellbeing of children, and positively impacting school communities. By aligning social, environmental and economic objectives through policy making, London has successfully overcome its challenges to deliver beneficial programmes to its residents.
        
     c) Developing transport infrastructure networks that catalyse urban regeneration. London’s long-term strategic planning prioritises the integration of public transport networks with other development projects, ensuring the coordinated development of commuter links with infrastructure to benefit the public. For instance, the development of the 118km-long cross-city Elizabeth Line in a densely built up and complex historic city, which has carried more than 800 million passengers to date, has been the catalyst for the development of more than 71,000 new homes. Such transit-orientated development demonstrates how the thoughtful integration of new homes with investments in urban infrastructure can stimulate broader regeneration initiatives across the city.

     d) Activating strategic developments through integrated programming. Key infrastructural developments in London are often combined with programming to enliven the area. The redevelopment of King’s Cross shows how the collective long-term commitment of public vision, infrastructural investment, and private development can successfully spur the regeneration of a former industrial site, which was also supported with a sophisticated heritage-led development approach which blended historical preservation with contemporary development and programming. Another example is Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which was transformed into a thriving post-Olympic district by combining world-class sporting infrastructure with £1.1 billion (US$1.25 billion/S$1.88 billion) invested in major cultural and academic institutions, alongside residential development to address London's housing needs. The Park demonstrates London's strategic approach to creating sector-specific Innovation Districts that bring together businesses, innovation leaders, universities, researchers and communities to foster collaboration and create jobs while regenerating parts of the city.

     e) Developing quality public spaces. London’s planning requirements for selected districts mandate high-quality public spaces, community facilities, and cultural programming alongside private sector development. This ensures that public spaces are embedded early in the planning process, creating vibrant mixed-use neighbourhoods that benefit residents and visitors. Beyond major regeneration projects, London's approach extends to local district enhancements through Business Improvement Districts and the Good Growth Fund, which facilitate neighbourhood-level improvements that go beyond physical infrastructure to create vibrant, inclusive communities. The City of London Corporation's Destination City strategy transforms the Square Mile from a primarily financial district into a seven-day-a-week cultural destination. It revitalises the area with new pedestrianised spaces and cultural institutions to create a more vibrant, inclusive environment for visitors.

6     "Cities today face mounting pressures from growth, climate change and social inequality. Yet many face challenges in implementing much needed urban interventions arising from the lack of vision and leadership, fragmented governance and constrained resources. London demonstrates how a mature global city can continuously reinvent itself through resilient governance and transformative infrastructure. The city's ability to balance heritage preservation with bold innovation, while maintaining its position as a global hub for talent and investment, demonstrates that strategic leadership and inclusive partnerships can drive sustainable urban transformation. London's success in navigating complex multi-tier governance to deliver coordinated metropolitan strategies offers valuable lessons for cities worldwide seeking to remain both liveable and economically dynamic in our rapidly changing global landscape.", commended Dr Cheong Koon Hean, Chair of the Prize Nominating Committee.

7     Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am honoured that London has received the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize for 2026, which recognises cities who are leading the way to tackle urban challenges, and create vibrant and sustainable communities. This prize is a tribute to our innovative work over the last ten years, from our bold efforts to tackle toxic air pollution and launching the celebrated Elizabeth Line to providing over 100 million free school meals to young Londoners and championing our city’s incredible diversity. Ours is a city of openness, opportunity, and progress – and together we will continue to build a safer, fairer, greener and more prosperous London for everyone.”

Outstanding initiatives to rejuvenate urban areas and galvanise community

8    Five other cities were also selected as Special Mentions for their outstanding urban initiatives.

     a) Antwerp – Its collaborative governance approach has systematically transformed infrastructure barriers into community assets, as exemplified by the ongoing Big Link project, which delivers extensive green infrastructure for recreational and civic uses with over 350 hectares of Ring Parks reconnecting previously-divided neighbourhoods. The city is also addressing climate change challenges through its transformation of Scheldt Quays and its Water Plan to manage flood risks and improve water quality. This comprehensive strategy of converting urban obstacles into opportunities, refined through ‘slow urbanism’ while maintaining strategic direction, exemplifies the city’s commitment to comprehensive urban transformation.

    b) Budapest – With prudent resource management, the city has achieved remarkable transformation through strategic innovation and tactical urbanism. Its multi-modal transport hubs, such as Szell Kalman Square, linking trams, metro, buses, cycling, and pedestrian networks create efficient transfer points and new public spaces, while a unified and modernised tram network now delivers unprecedented connectivity for commuters and enhanced community spaces for residents. The BudapestGO app offers an all-in-one platform for ticket purchases, journey planning and real-time traffic information, making travel easier and more seamless for commuters. This approach exemplifies how meaningful urban transformation can be accomplished through cost-effective interventions and resourceful implementation.

     c) Guangzhou – Embracing community engagement, cultural preservation and ecological sustainability amid rapid urbanisation, Guangzhou’s community-driven, technology-supported initiatives, including the Public Urban Designer Programme with elder canteens and heritage adaptive reuse projects, improve neighbourhood living conditions and job opportunities for its 19 million residents. The city also balances rapid economic growth with enhancing long-term liveability, with the restoration and revitalisation of the Yongqingfang Historical and Cultural District and the Haizhu Wetland Park.

     d) Taipei – A model of citizen-centred governance that transforms community participation into practical urban solutions, Taipei has demonstrated how civic engagement and public-private partnerships can address complex challenges from transport and sustainability to placemaking, exemplified by the Xinzhongshan Linear Park’s collaborative transformation of infrastructure into vibrant public spaces. Its “Fresh Milk for Every Child” programme, operated through a public-private partnership, encourages daily interactions between schools, families, and local businesses, demonstrating how integrated planning can address both functional and social needs.

     e) Tianjin – The city’s focus on integrating cultural preservation with innovative urban development has seen the rejuvenation of the Wudadao historic district, with its many lively public spaces fostering stronger community interaction. Its holistic, eco-conscious approach to urban planning has transformed an uninhabitable salt farm into the highly liveable and vibrant Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City. Notably, the restoration of approximately 870 sq km of wetland at Qilihai has supported the recovery of rare bird species from 182 species in 2017 to 308 species currently.

9     The full citations for the Laureate and Special Mentions can be found in the Annex [PDF, 184 KB].

10     The Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Lecture and Award Ceremony and Banquet will be held at the upcoming World Cities Summit, taking place from 14 to 16 June 2026. To foster knowledge sharing and innovation among cities, the Laureate and Special Mention cities will also be invited to share their experiences and exchange insights at the Summit.

11     In addition to an award certificate, London will receive a cash prize and a Prize medallion. The Prize is sponsored by Keppel Ltd.

12     Mr Loh Chin Hua, CEO of Keppel Ltd., Sponsor of the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize, said, “We extend our warmest congratulations to London, this year’s prize winner, for its remarkable ability to continually reinvent itself and be one of the world’s most liveable, vibrant and sustainable cities. We also congratulate Special Mention recipients Antwerp, Budapest, Guangzhou, Taipei, and Tianjin, each of which has demonstrated strong commitment and innovation in addressing the complex challenges of urban development.”

Deepening learning and exchange amongst urban leaders

13     Envisioned as a community of practice for urban leaders and practitioners to collaborate on projects and provide a platform for global dialogue on urban issues, the Prize Network formed in 2024 has brought winning cities together to collectively address urban challenges through knowledge sharing and partnerships between government officials, planning departments and knowledge organisations. To deepen learning opportunities further, a new Urban Leaders Fellowship was introduced. A five-day immersive learning programme will be hosted by the Prize’s winning cities biannually, and will enable city leaders to gain first-hand insights and on-ground learning experiences. Bilbao, the Prize’s first Laureate City will be hosting the first run in April 2026, with six global city leaders from Antwerp, Cape Town, Hamburg, Toronto, and Vienna joining the programme.

14     For more information on the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize, please visit https://www.leekuanyewworldcityprize.gov.sg. For the World Cities Summit’s full programme, please visit https://www.worldcitiessummit.com.sg.