Harvey NEO

Harvey NEO is a Professorial Research Fellow at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), leading the Cities and Urban Science programme at the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities (LKYCIC). He holds a PhD in Geography from Clark University, USA, and previously served as an Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS). His research focuses on urban sustainability, citizen-centric urban science, and nature-society interactions. He is the Southeast Asian editor for Human Geography and Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, and sits on multiple international advisory boards. Key roles include Director of SUTD's Master in Urban Science, Policy and Planning programme, and co-leader of the Tote Board's Future Ready Society initiative.

Education: PhD, Graduate School of Geography, Clark University (2007); MSc, Geography, NUS (2002); BA (Hons), NUS.

Research interests emphasize urban futures, participatory governance, and environmental policy, with a focus on Southeast Asian cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Manila, and Phnom Penh. His work bridges academia and practice through projects on electric vehicle policies, urban heat adaptation, and 3P+ (People, Public, Private + Academia) partnerships.

Publications span urban mobility, pandemic responses, and eco-city development, reflecting a commitment to interdisciplinary solutions for sustainable urbanization. He has secured grants from Singapore’s Social Sciences Research Council and Housing Development Board, fostering collaborations across sectors to address societal challenges.

Labs/Teams: LKYCIC's Urban Environmental Sustainability Programme and the Future Ready Society Initiative, which integrate research with policy and community action.