We decode and rewrite the “grammar” of cities to foster spaces that are liveable, equitable, and climate-adaptive.

City Syntax merges the precision of syntax — the rules of structure and meaning — with the complexity of cities. Just as grammar organizes words into meaningful sentences, we see urban built environments as dynamic systems where buildings, technologies and policies come together to form living “urban sentences.”

We are an interdisciplinary research group within NUS’ College of Design & Engineering, with roots at MIT. We push the boundaries of sustainability, technology, and policy to help shape more equitable, resilient, and intelligent urban environments.

A Shared Grammar for Positive Change
We decode the hidden rules of how cities evolve — through technologies, scientific methodologies, policies, digital platforms — and use them to co-create solutions like Urbanflow (our AI‑powered design tool) or Buildings.Sg (a carbon map for buildings)

Multilayered, Multidisciplinary Composition
Our work spans from the macro scale of cities to the micro scale of building design and human thermal comfort. By analyzing how these layers interact, we “parse” the city to identify leverage points for transformation.

Structure. Connection. Meaning.
In linguistics, syntax governs how words combine to express meaning. In the urban realm, the syntax of space and networks — how buildings link to transit, sidewalks to plazas, data to decisions — shapes human comfort and opportunity.