Four Urban Planning Projects Recognised at SIP Planning Awards 2025

At the recently concluded SIP Planning Awards 2025, four urban planning projects by both DP Architects and DP Urban have been recognised for their excellence in planning and multidisciplinary expertise. The four projects include Shenzhen Dapeng Eastern Tourism Zone, One Punggol, Lam Dong Master Plan 2030, With Vision to 2050, and Khuon Than Resort City Master Plan.

Winning the Gold Award under Excellence in Planning for Environmental Resiliency, Shenzhen Dapeng Eastern Tourism Zone is centred on an environmental resilience framework that re-examines land-sea potential while respecting ecological thresholds. This framework manifests through three transformative strategies—integrated land-sea utilisation, resilience spines as systemic connectors and an operational foundation as an Eco-Oriented Development (EOD). In particular, these strategies assign designated usage of sea areas, ensuring sea space is planned as intentionally as land parcels. Additionally, the 18-kilometre Green Ridge Corridor and Active Bayfront Promenade form a continuous ecological and experiential spine that deviates from conventional siloed approaches by enabling seamless transitions between land-based amenities and curated marine experiences, thereby creating a unified recreational domain. Living shorelines, such as mangroves and reefs, have been activated to replace seawalls for coastal defence, while public plazas serve as both civic spaces and stormwater management infrastructure. Leveraging the site’s natural features, the master plan implements a multidimensional ecological protection system that enhances biodiversity while empowering residents as co-creators of the area’s transformation. Ensuring inclusivity and long-term social sustainability, the master plan offers a future blueprint for coastal regions seeking sustainable economic vitality and improved human wellbeing.

As the Silver Award winner under the Joint Award by SIP & PDD of HKIS for Excellence in Integrated Urban Development, One Punggol is a new integrated town hub in north-east Singapore that transforms underutilised infrastructure into active, inclusive spaces for the community. The planning and urban design approach adopted for One Punggol reflects a holistic and comprehensive methodology, bringing together community services, retail, healthcare, learning and recreation under one roof to serve the needs of a young and growing population. Reflecting the shift in Singapore’s approach to community spaces, One Punggol deviates from the conventional small, standalone centres. Instead, it functions as a large-scale, multifunctional hub, serving as a civic platform that houses government touchpoints and shared spaces for the convenience of residents. Driven by a hands-on and participatory design process involving close collaboration with key stakeholders, including various government agencies and the broader community, One Punggol reflects extensive community collaboration. As an integrated and community-centric hub, the development is envisioned as an inclusive and adaptable community space for both individual and collective activities, accessible to people of diverse backgrounds.

Located in Vietnam, the Lam Dong Master Plan 2030, With Vision to 2050, is a Silver Award winner under Excellence in Planning > 5000 HA that demonstrates an original and innovative approach by strategically leveraging the province’s contextual assets while accelerating toward a diversified, high-value economy. Instead of a linear growth trajectory, the plan articulates a bold shift from a tourism- and agricultural-dependent economy to a resilient, sustainable and innovation-driven urban future by introducing high-value sectors such as digital services, logistics and healthcare. This long-term trajectory integrates urban planning, economic development, sustainability and equity in a single framework—ensuring the province evolves into a modern urban region without compromising its environmental or cultural character. Additionally, investments in rural and ethnic minority regions through education, healthcare and infrastructure pose inclusive development as a catalyst for regional resilience. Complementing this, sustainable forest management and optimisation projects involving local communities will also be promoted and strengthened in areas with significant forestry and production forests, supporting nature conservation and carbon management amidst continued provincial and urban development. Leveraging the expertise of local stakeholders and authorities, the master plan seeks to craft the area into Vietnam’s Green Capital with a focus on a sustainable economy, encouraging and providing resources for sustainable living in the future.

Winning the Bronze Award under Excellence in Planning > 500 HA & Up to 5000 HA, the Khuon Than Resort City Master Plan in Vietnam focuses on delivering a nature-based, immersive experience by including five neighbourhoods designed for different visitor groups. Social housing, resettlement areas and support for local businesses are also incorporated into the master plan, creating a functional community that grows alongside the tourism economy. With nature as the blueprint, the development is thoughtfully planned to work with its surrounding natural terrain. Over half the site will remain green or low impact, with buffers to protect lakes and waterways. Trails, gardens and eco-parks will provide public access to nature, while sustainable landscaping and water management practices will support long-term environmental health. Additionally, the master plan also seeks to integrate hospitality, housing and commercial spaces within the landscape, offering comprehensive services and spaces within the area. Complemented by a revised arterial loop revolving around the lake and connecting all districts, the strategy harmonises eco-tourism with urban amenities while implementing green engineering principles to enhance lake preservation and improve visitor experiences in Khuon Than.