The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) plays a pivotal role in urban planning and development, actively shaping the city-state’s landscape and influencing its future trajectory. Driven by a vision to create an endearing home and a liveable, sustainable, and vibrant city through long-term planning and innovation, URA plays a crucial part in steering Singapore’s physical transformation. The organisation’s dedicated workforce endeavours to create a quality living environment with shared spaces that seamlessly integrate sustainability and design excellence, further solidifying our nation’s global reputation for innovation. URA Scholars Teoh Jie Shun and Zhang Yaou embody the exceptional calibre of talent that contributes to the URA’s success.

Teoh Jie Shun is an Executive Planner at URA. He was awarded the URA Overseas Scholarship, enabling him to further develop his passion for urban planning. He pursued his Bachelor of Urban Planning, Design, and Management at the University College London, followed by a Master of Urban Design at the University of British Columbia in Canada. Equipped with his diverse educational background and experiences, Jie Shun plays an important role in shaping Singapore’s urban landscape and ensuring its sustainability.

On the other hand, Zhang Yaou is an Executive Architect at URA. She was awarded the URA Mid-Course Scholarship while she was still studying for her Bachelor of Architecture at the National University of Singapore (NUS). After the completion of her bachelor’s degree, she subsequently pursued a Master of Architecture at the University of California (UC) Berkeley. Today, Yaou thrives at URA, leveraging her expertise to contribute to the physical planning and urban design aspects of Singapore’s urban development.

We had the opportunity to engage in a conversation with them to learn about their inspiring journeys and gain valuable insights into their contributions to Singapore’s built environment.

Jie Shun, how did you discover your interest in urban planning?

Jie Shun: As a young boy, I would often put together pieces of B4 drawing art paper, and start drawing roads, parcels, and buildings, especially during my school holidays. This was my earliest interaction with the field of urban planning, even though I did not know that there was such a thing back then. Many years later, when I was deciding what to study at university, urban planning felt like a degree that encapsulated all my interests.

Yaou, how did you know that you were interested in architecture?

Yaou: I was a science student and liked to draw. I found architecture most interesting to study when I was in college.

Tell us more about the URA scholarship. How did it support your academic endeavours?

Jie Shun: Among the agencies that offered scholarships for someone interested in urban planning, URA, Singapore’s land use planning agency, is at the heart of it all – I was excited to be able to be a part of it. URA offered financial support to me through full sponsorship of my tuition fees and provided a monthly allowance for my living expenses. URA also assigned a scholarship mentor to me who offered me guidance on how to navigate university life and plan for my studies.

Yaou: I first learnt about the URA Mid-Course Scholarship through word of mouth. I was interested to work for an organisation that can lead positive changes in the physical environment that we live in. During my studies, URA also kept in touch with me regularly and arranged an internship for me before I graduated. The internship had allowed me to apply what I have learnt at my university in a practical manner.

That’s interesting! How did you go on to apply what you learnt in your respective careers?

Jie Shun: My education abroad allowed me to experience the dynamics and challenges of different cities, how public spaces are utilised, and how different cities tackle similar issues in different ways. I also did an eight-week attachment within URA during my summer break. It provided me with an insight into URA’s work, and how planning is done in a real-world context.

Yaou: Studying abroad helped me to broaden my horizons and become more open-minded to different cultures and ideas. The architecture programmes I attended in school had a strong emphasis on environmental and social responsibilities which helped me to become more sensitive to such issues at work.

Speaking of work, can you elaborate more on what your jobs entail?

Jie Shun: As a planner in the Physical Planning Group, I work together with agencies and stakeholders to formulate land use plans to guide the short- and medium-term physical development of Singapore in a sustainable manner to ensure that residents are well served by transport, amenities, community facilities and parks. For instance, I have been involved in planning for the repurposing of the former Bukit Timah Fire Station as a community node, as well as enhancing the recreational network in Queenstown. Aside from that, I am involved in policy work to ensure that land is fit for its intended uses. Many things intersect with planning, and we deal with a bit of everything. This makes each day dynamic, and work continues to be meaningful, interesting, and enriching.

Yaou: I’m with the Physical Planning Group, working on projects that can tap on my architecture background. For example, I worked with a team on the planning and urban design of the Punggol Digital District starting right from the master planning stage. I also worked with other colleagues on the urban design guidelines for the pilot private assisted-living development at Parry Avenue to ensure it is aligned with our vision. A typical workday includes reviewing short to long-term plans of the area, processing development applications and meeting with agency counterparts and stakeholders. My work helps to improve the physical environment of the city and brings a positive impact on the everyday lives of people.

It certainly sounds like the work you do is essential to our cityscape. What’s the work culture like at URA?

Jie Shun: Our colleagues are friendly and support each other to achieve our common goal of making Singapore a distinctive, liveable city. The bosses at URA are nurturing and encouraging, and they empower staff to make recommendations. Moreover, the work is collaborative, so you get to work with people from different departments and across different fields and learn more about other areas of work in the process.

Yaou: The work culture here is also supportive and innovation is encouraged. Staff can apply for rotation opportunities to positions in other departments to develop new skills and competencies that will help with professional growth. There are also other developmental opportunities including on-the-job training, and even experiencing work with external government agencies and private organisations.

What would you to say someone who is looking to follow in your footsteps?

Jie Shun: You do not have to be planning or architecture-trained to become an urban planner. As long as you have the curiosity, interest, and passion for shaping the built environment, why not give it a try?

Yaou: I would tell them that having a strong interest and being able to find meaning in the work you do will help you go a long way.