Southeast Asia

Home to more than 700 million people and some of the fastest-growing economies in the world, Southeast Asia represents a powerful engine for urban and real estate growth. Across Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia, rapid urbanization, infrastructure investment, and a youthful, globally minded workforce are transforming cities at an unprecedented pace. For developers, the region’s opportunity lies in delivering mixed-use, hospitality, industrial, and aviation projects that keep up with the energy and expectations of a rising middle class.
What’s Next

Rapid economic growth fuels a boom in aviation and transit-focused infrastructure.

New airports, transit systems, and city expansions reshape how Southeast Asia grows. Record GDP gains in Vietnam and the Philippines fuel mixed-use and TOD development at the city scale.

Industrial, logistics, and data-center assets power a new wave of development.

Manufacturing migration from China and supply-chain diversification boosts industrial and logistics demand across Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. Data centers emerge as a new priority asset class, driven by digital transformation and regional cloud expansion.

Sustainability and resilience become market fundamentals.

Rising sea levels and heat stress accelerate demand for green certifications, smart-building systems, and net-zero targets. Resilient, future-ready assets command investor premiums and longer-term tenant loyalty.

Mixed-use and branded-residential projects redefine lifestyle and hospitality.

Developers blend living, working, and leisure spaces to create self-contained urban ecosystems. Branded residences with hospitality-driven amenities and global brand appeal attract affluent buyers in Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City.
Notable Projects
A group of people walking inside a building.
Shaw Plaza Balestier, Singapore
People sitting at tables in a restaurant.
Vino Tinto, Singapore
A building with glass windows.
Rochester Commons, Singapore
A group of people in a room.
True Digital Park, Bangkok, Thailand
insights from the Gensler Research Institute

Residents in Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok Love Their Cities but Give Poor Marks for Pollution

Across two of Southeast Asia’s largest metros — Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok — people are broadly optimistic about city life, but poor marks for pollution signal an opportunity for more resilient, human-centered design.
How satisfied are you with the following aspects of your city?
  • City offers a great experience
  • City as a place to work
  • Overall pollution levels
  • Air quality satisfaction
Source: Gensler City Pulse 2025
Notable Areas of Expertise
Offices
Thought Leadership
A man and woman walking in a large room with tables and chairs.
Blog

The Future of Real Estate Metrics: Human Connection

The places that thrive in the years ahead will be designed to build relationships, inspire belonging, and foster togetherness.
A group of people in a large building.
Blog

How Aviation Is Evolving for the Leisure Traveler

Airports are in the midst of a profound transformation. Confronted with aging infrastructure, rapidly advancing technology, and an unprecedented surge in leisure travel, these once utilitarian spaces are being reimagined as destinations in their own right.
Shaw Plaza with escalators
In The Media

Singapore Ranks No. 3 on Gensler’s City Pulse Survey 2025 List of World’s ‘Magnetic Cities’

The Straits Times highlighted Gensler’s City Pulse Survey 2025, which found Singapore ranks No. 3 on a list of world’s ‘magnetic cities’ where newcomers and residents feel they are most likely to stay.
The Straits Times
People walking on a sidewalk.
Blog

The Top 10 Cities People Don’t Want to Leave

Gensler’s 2025 City Pulse survey reveals the top cities where people not only move to, but also stay long-term.
CapitaSky building
In The Media

Singapore Business Review Published Findings From Gensler’s City Pulse 2025 Report

The report revealed that nearly 60% of Singaporeans are unlikely to leave the city, and 77% rank the city as a good or excellent place to live. The global survey gathers insights on the factors that draw people to cities and compel them to stay.
Singapore Business Review
Chart, radar chart.
Research

City Pulse 2025

Gensler surveyed 33,000 people across 65 cities to uncover what makes a city magnetic — how it attracts new residents and keeps them wanting to stay.
A person walking in a server room.
Blog

How the AI Gold Rush Is Influencing Data Center Design Trends

Gensler’s Critical Facilities leaders discuss how the AI boom is influencing the shape, speed, and operations of data center design.
A group of people sitting on a bench in a park with buildings in the background.
Blog

Creating a More Resilient Future With Green and Thriving Cities

As the demand for sustainable and liveable cities grows, urban planners and architects are adopting innovative strategies to harmonise built and natural environments.
A man and woman sitting at a table in a room with glass walls.
Blog

Three Principles for High-Impact Sustainable Design Guidelines

Translating sustainability commitments to design strategy.
A group of people in a room with tables and chairs.
Blog

How Immersive Food and Beverage Experiences Are Redefining Hospitality

Food and beverage spaces have unique potential as experiential destinations that authentically convene community in a way that is familiar, universal, and transformative.
A person walking in a large room.
Blog

Smart Design for Smart Manufacturing: Five Ways Manufacturing Has Evolved

In a market poised for significant growth, these markers of change present opportunities in both the near and long-term.
A row of computer servers.
Blog

Data Keeps Us Going:
How Data Centers Power Society

In today’s digital age, data, and data centers, have become as essential a utility as electricity or water.
A room with a large window and a couch and chairs.
Blog

Luxury + Convenience: Why Branded Residences Are in Demand Across the Globe

In the residential sector, we’re seeing an increased demand for high-end, branded residences that offer hotel-style services and amenities.
Map.
Blog

Introducing the Gensler Transit-Oriented Development Opportunity Index

The Gensler Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Opportunity IndexTM is a tool for unlocking the unrealized value of existing transit stations and facilities.
A group of people in a room.
Blog

Why Singapore’s Flexi-Time Regulations Are a Step Towards Building a More Sustainable Work Culture

New government regulations are shifting to meet the evolving needs of the country’s workforce.
A building with a glass roof.
Blog

Singapore’s Recovery Is Challenged by High Housing Costs

Learn what Gensler’s City Pulse research reveals about how Singapore has rebounded since the pandemic.
A pipe in a concrete wall.
Research

Designing for Lower Carbon Concrete in Data Center Constructions

The construction boom of data centers raises questions about their carbon footprint. We convened industry experts to understand how we can reduce the embodied carbon of data centers with lower carbon concrete.
A large office space.
Blog

An Evolving Practice: Industrial Architecture

Today, we are seeing production and logistics facilities pop-up closer to, and even within, our cities and communities.
China
Singapore
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