MUP+MAUD PLANNING FUTURES 2026

We are very grateful to everyone who joined us last Tuesday evening (27 January) for Planning Futures, our annual networking roundtable jointly organized by the Master of Urban Planning (MUP) and Master of Arts in Urban Design (MAUD) programmes at the Department of Architecture (DOA), College of Design and Engineering (CDE), National University of Singapore (NUS).

The session brought together postgraduate students with practitioners from across the planning, design, and research sectors, alongside representatives from government agencies. Using a rotating small‑group format, guests moved between eight tables of students — introducing their organizations, sharing the breadth of work they lead, and responding to questions about practice, pathways, and opportunities in Singapore and internationally.

This structure created lively, focused conversations and enabled students to engage with a wide range of perspectives in a short time. These exchanges play an important role in supporting students as they navigate internships, early career decisions, and the broader landscape of urban practice — which is precisely the purpose of Planning Futures.

Sincere thanks to all who participated — especially the practitioners and agency representatives who generously shared their time, insights, and experience — and to the colleagues and students who supported the organization and facilitation of the evening. Planning Futures continues to be a meaningful bridge between education and the profession because of the collective effort behind it.

Looking forward to building on these connections and strengthening the relationship between NUS and the wider professional and public‑sector community.

The event was coordinated by Adjunct Assoc Prof John Achari and Adjunct Assoc Prof Karen Tham and supported by Assoc Prof Dr Zdravko Trivic – MUP Programme Director, Assoc Prof Asma Khawatmi – MAUD Programme Director, and Assist Prof Dr Naomi Hanakata – MUP Deputy Director.

Most importantly, as this is an event truly organised by the student for the students, we would like to express special thanks to Nie Jiarong (MUP TA) and Shen Boyang (MAUD TA), student speakers Yuan Haoxi (MUP 2) and Zhu Qiuhui (MUP 2), and particularly to all volunteers who made this event a true success, namely: Abrol Shivangi (MUP 2), Hinal Mehta (MAUD), Joanne Joseph (MAUD), Kshitij Sethi (MAUD), Lukas Vrana (MUP 2), Sarvika Venu (MAUD), Serene Law (MUP 1), Shreya Murali (MUP 1), Tejlaxmi Joshi (MUP 1), Vaibhavi Tolamatti (MAUD), Varun Athotra (MAUD) and Vedika Gupta (MUP 1).

See you again next year!