About Us

What is Think City Institute?

About Think City Institute

Cities around the world are undergoing an unprecedented period of physical, social and economic transformation. Past solutions are quickly proving inadequate and outdated, and new approaches are required for cities to level up. With global events spurring urgent need for advanced urban policy and solutions, we have consolidated our expertise into a learning institution-based in Penang to deepen the capacity of city-makers in the region.

Our Work in South East Asia

Over the past 10 years, Think City has been working throughout South East Asia building the region’s knowledge in urban rejuvenation, culture-based urban regeneration, social inclusion and resilience — providing urban policy thinking, management and implementation of urban solutions, as well as education and advocacy.

Our Focus Areas

The Think City Institute which builds on a decade of know-how, experimentation and expertise derived from our knowledge networks will involve a combination of accredited coursework, research fellowships and publications, with focus on our four main practice areas – Placemaking, Analytics, Resilience and Conservation.

Our Courses

Course modules include week-long courses in Heritage Management, Placemaking and various labs or solutions-based clinics, some of which, will be co-presented by our partners including the Getty Institute for Conservation, UNESCO, UN-Habitat, Projects for Public Spaces (PPS) and the International Network of Traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism (INTBAU).

The Institute will also offer tailored capacity building courses for mayors and department heads, senior managers and emerging talent in the public and relevant private sectors.

Bangunan UAB by Think City Penang

Set in a Category II heritage building and positioned right in the heart of George Town’s burgeoning creative technology district, fellows and participants will have the opportunity to examine Think City’s work in conservation, adaptive re-use and placemaking in nearby sites firsthand.