Short Bio

William HL Lau is an Urban Planner, Architect and Educator based in Singapore, and the founder of A.Alliance Design International (AADI) Architects & Planners. Currently, he is the Immediate Past President of Singapore Institute of Planners (SIP).

AADI: As principal of AADI, William sets directions in the Master Planning and Architectural Consultancy projects in Singapore & overseas in Malaysia, Thailand, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, India, Myanmar, Tunisia, USA etc.

SIP: William leads in SIP: a professional institute whose members play an integral role in transforming Singapore into a modern and gracious city that is internationally recognized as a fine example of a city state with good urban planning.

Educator: William teaches regularly at Civil Service College (CSC) & passionately shares topics on urban & rural planning, planning guidelines & regulations, city development, historic conservation and new township growths to overseas city mayors and government officials, city mayors from South East Asia, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Eastern Europe, Africa and South America.

Track Keynote Speech: Planning of Marina Bay Waterfront, Singapore Experience

Vision of Marina Bay: Now a Reality  a Case Study
Marina Bay Master Plan with “white” site zoning inspires to give developers more flexibility in planning approach to build commercial, residential, hotel and entertainment developments. A premium live-work-play environment BY THE BAY, it encapsulates the essence of global city of Singapore.  Spanning 360 hectares of prime land, it is the most ambitious urban project designed to support its continual growth as a major business and financial hub in Asia.

History  Marina Bay started as a major land reclamation project in 1970s, with three (3) key objectives: 1. Large Land Mass for Marina South: New CBD District, 2. Water Reservoir at Singapore River’s mouth, transformed into freshwater supply & flood control with Marina Barrage, and 3. Waterfront urban Lifestyle which are attractive and choice real estates.

Waterfront Promenade – Creating Signature Districts
A 3.5 km waterfront promenade links the attractions at Marina Centre, Collyer Quay and Bayfront areas to ensure vibrancy round the clock. Three (3) Iconic Focal Points are strategically positioned at the perimeters of waterfront as highlights: 1. Singapore Arts Centre SAC, fondly called “The Durian” by locals, 2. Arts & Science Museum, and 3. Central Promontory Site @ Marina Bay, yet to be built and currently it is an interim event & public space used for activities.

Asia’s New Found Pragmatism: A Paradigm Shift
The planning and sale of Marina Bay new land parcels exemplifies the principles of flexibility, Innovation & Value Creation.  The government carefully monitors against over-supply of commercial spaces, while maintaining the integrity of existing CBD and time phasing the launching of land sales. Marina Bay also contributes towards our City’s Water Management, together with the extensive use of underground Common Service Tunnels and efficient Transportation Network in the new CBD.

Redefining Geography As Destiny
With the resurgence of Asian economies led by India and China, Singapore economic prospects hinge on attracting next wave of Multinational Corporations (MNDs) from these two countries, as well as the SE Asian nations, middle East, Europe, USA and beyond.

Challenges and Transformations
As Singapore forges ahead, we are constantly aware of new challenges of the next decade, with keen regional competitions and global economic cycles. The talk gives a critical analysis on the rise in living standard, coupled with high costs which may affect its attractiveness. Awareness and necessity to constantly re-inventing and innovating our nation endeavors to transformation of Singapore City into a new height, in the next lap.