Third Future Cities Co-Design Workshop Advances Net-Zero Innovations for Tomorrow's Cities

From 28 September to 1 October 2026, researchers from the Future Cities Research Institute (FCRI), Sunway University, travelled to Lancaster University, United Kingdom, for the Third Future Cities Co-Design Workshop, building on our shared efforts to develop solutions for more sustainable cities. 

Against the backdrop of growing global climate challenges, the workshop brought together researchers from both institutions to strengthen past initiatives and connections and reimagine the future of urban living. The workshop created a platform where diverse perspectives from both campuses came together around one central question: how can cities become more sustainable while remaining vibrant places to live, work and thrive?

Over three days, participants explored technologies and innovations that could help shape the cities of tomorrow. Discussions centred on renewable energy systems, carbon capture technologies, net-zero buildings and advanced battery storage solutions, all of which are vital to the transition towards a low-carbon future. Beyond the technologies themselves, the discussion highlighted why collaboration matters when tackling complex sustainability challenges. 

The highlight of the visit came on the final day, when the delegation visited a special exhibition at the Lancaster University Library celebrating 20 years of partnership between Sunway University and Lancaster University. Through photographs, publications and historical milestones, the exhibition traced how the collaboration has evolved from an educational partnership into a strategic platform for research, innovation and global engagement. It offered a chance to reflect on how far the partnership has come, while imagining what both universities could achieve together in the years ahead.