On urban solutions and building green cities, ground up

Image courtesy of: Vidacity

Last June, the World Cities Summit brought together global leaders, policymakers and innovators for its 10th conference to explore how cities can become more sustainable and resilient, with Founder Zac Toh representing Vidacity at the event.

He shared his vision for creating a living lab where startups, businesses and innovators can collaborate, experiment and develop practical solutions for the cities of tomorrow, reflecting Vidacity’s commitment to driving sustainable urban innovation.

As part of the World Cities Summit Young Leaders Network, Zac also contributed an essay on how community-driven urban greenery and nature-based  solutions can shape the cities of the future.

Learn more about World Cities Summit.

Roots Rebirth: Mangrove Living Lab 

Image courtesy of: GWS Living Art

Vidacity recently participated in the Roots Rebirth: Mangrove Living Lab, a collaborative led by Surbana Jurong and Housing & Development Board, to develop scalable, nature-based solutions for coastal resilience.

Through the project, they’re exploring how mangrove habitats can be reintroduced and established along increasingly fortified shorelines using Build-with-Nature approaches. The Living Lab also enables them to identify best practices for mangrove restoration through species selection, restoration techniques and AI-powered health monitoring.

N&E Innovations featured on Tatler Asia

Image courtesy of: Tatler Asia

N&E Innovations Co-founder, Dr Jaslyn Lee, has been recognised in Tatler Asia’s Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow 2026. The annual list celebrates Asia’s most promising young innovators and changemakers, recognising Dr Lee’s work in transforming upcycled cashew nut waste into safe, non-toxic antimicrobial solutions through N&E Innovations. 

Read more about Tatler Asia’s Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow 2026.

Image courtesy of: Mottainai Food Tech

Singapore is turning food waste into valuable resources. With government support, startups and researchers are transforming food by-products into products like plant-based proteins, sustainable cooling materials, fertilisers and animal feed.

These innovations are helping reduce waste, drive sustainability and create new opportunities in the circular economy.

Read more at The Straits Times.

Image courtesy of: Davidlohr Bueso, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Flickr

A planned 600MW liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant in Thailand’s Chachoengsao province is raising concerns among local farmers, who fear it will worsen water shortages in an area already prone to drought.

The plant is expected to consume up to 12,000 cubic metres of water a day, adding to competition between agriculture and industry.

Critics also question the need for the project, arguing that Thailand already has excess power capacity and that expanding LNG infrastructure could lock the country into fossil fuels, slowing its transition to renewable energy.

Read more at Eco-Business.

This Melbourne data centre runs on human brain cells

Image courtesy of: Cortical Labs

Australian startup Cortical Labs has launched the world’s first biological data centre, using human brain cells and silicon chips to create computers that can learn while consuming far less energy than traditional AI hardware. With a larger facility planned in Singapore, the technology could power more sustainable AI, robotics and medical research in the future.

Read more at Information Age.

Upcoming Events

GREEN-HOUSE Festival 2026

Image courtesy of: GREEN-HOUSE

GREEN-HOUSE Festival returns for its annual celebration of sustainable living, bringing together climate-conscious brands, innovators and the community for a weekend of discovery and action.

Expect a curated marketplace, interactive experiences, workshops and inspiring conversations that showcase how small everyday choices can drive meaningful environmental and social impact. 

Details:

• 📅 28 August 2026 to 30 August 2026
• 📍Temasek Shophouse, Dhobby Ghaut
• 🔗 Admission is free | Click to learn more.

Igniting capital, powering progress

DIY Basics Workshop – The Science of Drilling

Image courtesy of: EDR2

Curious about tackling DIY projects at home but not sure where to start? This hands-on workshop introduces the basics of drilling, from understanding different drills and drill bits to choosing the right tools for different materials.

You’ll also pick up essential safety tips and get practical experience using a power drill, so you’ll leave feeling more confident taking on everyday home improvement projects. 

Details:

• 📅 15 August 2026 to 12 December 2026
• 📍Community Workshop @ VidaCity 3A Pasir Ris Drive 6, #01-01, Singapore 519422
• 🔗 Click here to get your slots!
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