_{More than 125 regional leaders attended the first launch event for the CTBUH 2023 International Conference, held on 9 February, in Singapore. Image courtesy of Ramboll.}

Nearly 300 enthusiastic regional leaders joined CTBUH President Dr. Antony Wood for the official launch events for the CTBUH 2023 International Conference, Humanizing High Density—People, Nature & the Urban Realm. Taking place 16–20 October, in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, the conference will draw an anticipated 1,200+ global experts and industry leaders who are shaping the creation of dense, sustainable cities worldwide.

The first launch event, held on 9 February in Singapore and sponsored by Ramboll, Lendlease, and C-Suites (where the event was hosted), kicked off with an engaging presentation by Dr. Wood, followed by an active panel discussion that emphasized the conference's opportunities to explore and showcase innovative practices and exceptional projects to an audience from across the globe. Panel speakers included Joelle Chen, Head of Sustainability, Asia, Lendlease; Chew Peet Mun, Managing Director, Workspace and Residential, CapitaLand Development Pte Ltd.; Schirin Taraz-Breinholt, COO, WOHA Architects; Dr. Antony Wood, President, CTBUH; and panel session chair, Hossein Resai-Jorabi, Director, Ramboll.

The second launch event occured on 14 February, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, and was sponsored by PNB Merdeka Ventures and Turner Construction Company. CTBUH board member Shonn Mills and Dr. Wood gave a thought-provoking presentation that invited attendees to participate in and shape the conference and advance the crucial conversation on vertical urbanism in the region of Southeast Asia. Both events were followed by networking receptions for all the attendees.

Situated at the heart of CTBUH's upcoming conference is an investigation of the relationship between people, nature, and the urban realm, a balance that is readily evident in these two world-class cities.

View the slideshow of the launch events and the Masters of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism (M.TBVU) studio tours (described below) in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur:

9 February launch event for the CTBUH 2023 International Conference at C-Suites in Singapore. Image courtesy of Ramboll.

9 February launch event for the CTBUH 2023 International Conference at C-Suites in Singapore. Image courtesy of Ramboll.

CTBUH Board member Shonn Mills introduces the conference theme of "Humanizing High Density" to the audience at the 9 February launch event. Image courtesy of Ramboll.

CTBUH Board member Shonn Mills introduces the conference theme of "Humanizing High Density" to the audience at the 9 February launch event. Image courtesy of Ramboll.

CTBUH President Antony Wood gives a presentation on how to get involved in the upcoming conference. Image courtesy of Ramboll.

CTBUH President Antony Wood gives a presentation on how to get involved in the upcoming conference. Image courtesy of Ramboll.

The importance of the conference theme and its potential for global connections are part of the panel discussion at the Singapore launch event on 9 February.

The importance of the conference theme and its potential for global connections are part of the panel discussion at the Singapore launch event on 9 February.

9 February launch event in Singapore for the CTBUH 2023 International Conference. Image courtesy of Ramboll.

9 February launch event in Singapore for the CTBUH 2023 International Conference. Image courtesy of Ramboll.

Almost 180 people registered to attend the launch event in Singapore. Image courtesy of Ramboll.

Almost 180 people registered to attend the launch event in Singapore. Image courtesy of Ramboll.

A networking reception was held after the panel discussion for attendees to mingle and further discuss the CTBUH 2023 International Conference.

A networking reception was held after the panel discussion for attendees to mingle and further discuss the CTBUH 2023 International Conference.

14 February launch event in Kuala Lumpur was sponsored by PNB Merdeka and Turner Construction Company.

14 February launch event in Kuala Lumpur was sponsored by PNB Merdeka and Turner Construction Company.

The CEO of PNB Merdeka, Tengku Dato Mahmud, gave a brief introduction at the start of the launch event on 14 February.

The CEO of PNB Merdeka, Tengku Dato Mahmud, gave a brief introduction at the start of the launch event on 14 February.

CTBUH Board member Shonn Mills attended the launch event in Kuala Lumpur on 14 February and gave introductory remarks.

CTBUH Board member Shonn Mills attended the launch event in Kuala Lumpur on 14 February and gave introductory remarks.

CTBUH President Dr. Antony Wood shared the history of CTBUH conferences and the organization’s global reach, bringing together people from all over the world to talk about the future of cities.

CTBUH President Dr. Antony Wood shared the history of CTBUH conferences and the organization’s global reach, bringing together people from all over the world to talk about the future of cities.

Dr. Antony Wood and students of the M.TBVU program at IIT toured several buildings in Singapore, including CapitaSpring, a 280-meter high-rise developed by CapitaLand and designed by architects Bjarke Ingels Group.

Dr. Antony Wood and students of the M.TBVU program at IIT toured several buildings in Singapore, including CapitaSpring, a 280-meter high-rise developed by CapitaLand and designed by architects Bjarke Ingels Group.

A public platform for the occupants at CapitaSpring in Singapore.

A public platform for the occupants at CapitaSpring in Singapore.

Green terraces and skygardens are integrated into the CapitaSpring building.

Green terraces and skygardens are integrated into the CapitaSpring building.

On 8 February, Dr. Wood toured the building and landscaped rooftop gardens of CapitaSpring.

On 8 February, Dr. Wood toured the building and landscaped rooftop gardens of CapitaSpring.

On 10 February, CTBUH and the students of IIT toured the Oasia Hotel Downtown in Singapore, designed by WOHA Architects.

On 10 February, CTBUH and the students of IIT toured the Oasia Hotel Downtown in Singapore, designed by WOHA Architects.

On 10 February, CTBUH and the students of IIT toured the Oasia Hotel Downtown in Singapore, designed by WOHA Architects.

On 10 February, CTBUH and the students of IIT toured the Oasia Hotel Downtown in Singapore, designed by WOHA Architects.

CTBUH and IIT students tour the WOHA designed Skyville @ Dawson project.

CTBUH and IIT students tour the WOHA designed Skyville @ Dawson project.

Skybridges connect the towers at the Skyville @ Dawson project.

Skybridges connect the towers at the Skyville @ Dawson project.

Open spaces and skygardens are among the many amenities for the occupants of the Skyville @ Dawson.

Open spaces and skygardens are among the many amenities for the occupants of the Skyville @ Dawson.

Rooftop gardens contribute to the wellness of the occupants at Skyville @ Dawson in Singapore.

Rooftop gardens contribute to the wellness of the occupants at Skyville @ Dawson in Singapore.

Dr. Antony Wood and the students of the Masters of Tall Building and Vertical Urbanism program at IIT toured the almost-complete Merdeka 118 tower.

Dr. Antony Wood and the students of the Masters of Tall Building and Vertical Urbanism program at IIT toured the almost-complete Merdeka 118 tower.

Views of Kuala Lumpur from the top of Merdeka 118.

Views of Kuala Lumpur from the top of Merdeka 118.

Merdeka 118 is set to be completed later this year (2023).

Merdeka 118 is set to be completed later this year (2023).

Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

From the top of the Petronas Towers, a view of the almost-complete Merdeka 118 tower can be seen.

From the top of the Petronas Towers, a view of the almost-complete Merdeka 118 tower can be seen.

In addition to leading the launch events, Dr. Wood was traveling with students from his Masters of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism (M.TBVU) studio, the world’s first multidisciplinary advanced degree program focused specifically on the high-rise. This collaboration between the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and CTBUH brings together students and professionals from architecture, real estate, engineering, urban design, construction management, business, finance, and other backgrounds in a unique learning environment built to foster interdisciplinary research and experience. Dr. Wood and his students toured projects in multiple stages of development in both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, including CapitaSpring, Oasia Hotel Downtown, Skyville @ Dawson, Merdeka 118, and Petronas Towers. Students also presented their studio work to an expert panel of guest critics at the Ramboll offices in Singapore, on 8 February.

_{M.TBVU students and CTBUH representatives toured CapitaSpring (shown here), developed by CapitaLand, in Singapore. The project demonstrates the integration of lush greenery and indoor-outdoor spaces to inspire civic and social engagement and overall wellness. Images courtesy Daniel Safarik, CTBUH.}

_{In Kuala Lumpur, M.TBVU students and CTBUH representatives toured the almost-complete Merdeka 118 tower (left), the tallest building in Kuala Lumpur, before going to the Petronas Towers (center) and the connecting skybridge (right), on 14 February. Images courtesy Daniel Safarik, CTBUH.}

Get involved!

To learn more about how you can become involved with the conference as a sponsor, exhibitor, or part of the steering committees, click here, or email [email protected]