Jointly organised by Singapore Management University (SMU) and Ayala Corporation, the SMU-Ayala Industry Leaders Dialogue turned a spotlight on the current opportunities and dilemmas that beset developing cities. The Dialogue, held at Ayala Tower One in Manila on Friday, 9 November 2018 drew an audience comprising leaders of the Filipino business community, and SMU alumni in the Philippines.

Mr. Jamie Augusto Zóbel de Ayala, Chairman and CEO, Ayala Corporation & Chair of SMU International Advisory Council in the Philippines officiated the Dialogue themed, ‘Cities in Development: Have They Delivered Their Promises’. In his welcome address, he shared that while cities continue to attract people looking for upward socio-economic mobility, and companies looking to create value, developing urban centers are often vulnerable to natural disasters. He stressed the importance of sustainable urban development, and called for viable solutions to harness productivity in the face of increasing urbanisation.

Professor Lily Kong, SMU’s Provost and Lee Kong Chian Chair Professor of Social Sciences, complemented Mr. Zóbel’s opening remarks in her ensuing Faculty Conversation. Professor Kong posited that a sustainable city is one that recognizes the humanity of cities, and that urban management solutions guided by human-centric design are able to deliver more meaningful impact. She added that environmental sustainability goes beyond green measures to include the preservation of organically constructed cultural spaces, which serve as repositories of memories and heritage.

A lively panel discussion ensued, moderated by Professor Annie Koh, Vice President, Office of Business Development; and Practice Professor of Finance, SMU. The distinguished panel comprised Mr. Jaime Augusto Zóbel de Ayala; Professor Lily Kong; Mrs. Josephine Gotianun-Yap, President and CEO, Filinvest Development Corporation & Member, SMU International Advisory Council in the Philippines; and Mr. Alexander Richmond Chua UY, Business Development Manager, Finnex Sales International Inc. and SMU alumnus.

Mr. Zóbel expounded on some of the challenges faced in the main Filipino cities, and how the Ayala Group was working with the Filipino government to develop housing, improve access to water, and enhance infrastructure in a sustainable fashion. Mrs. Gotianun-Yap was a proponent for the preservation of culture in the context of real estate development, as well as the progress of financial inclusion in a largely unbanked Philippines. As part of the second generation in his family’s business, Mr. Chua provided insight into how the introduction of smart solutions was disrupting family business models, and shared that some of the challenges of business innovation involve reinventing operational processes and establishing new work cultures.

In closing, the panel expressed optimism about the opportunities for development that lie ahead for the Philippines, and were bullish on smart solutions that will enable sustained urban growth. They agreed with Professor Lily Kong’s proposition that the extent to which smart solutions can be successfully applied will determine the extent to which the promises of the future can be met, and that importantly cities are about its people, and thus technology should serve to enhance human interaction and not exclude the technologically illiterate or agnostic.