Social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye today called for the setting up of a government-funded Institute for Urban Governance to serve the needs for better urban governance in cities and towns as a result of rapid urbanisation.

It is time for the government to set up such an institute which can function as a national resource and training centre for urban governance and development, he said in a statement today.

"The institute helps to facilitate research activities, provide support to academicians and individuals to undertake research and provide consultancy on urban issues.

"The proposed institute can also provide support and policy advice to the government in urban governance, development and management," said Lee.

He added the institute can be established with the expertise from institutions of higher learning, research organisations and government agencies will conduct academic programmes in urban planning for local government officials and others to better manage our cities and towns.

Lee said urban issues related to the process of globalisation, environment problems, urban poverty, urban sustainability, the issue of urban governance and how to improve the quality of urban life are among the many issues that need to be addressed effectively.