ADB Water and Urban Development Forum 2025

From forum to future: a new chapter in urban and water resilience

Overview

Uniting the region to confront a growing Water and urban crisis.

The ADB Water and Urban Forum is a leading platform that brings together leaders, experts, and decision-makers to address pressing water and urban issues across Asia and the Pacific. For its 2025 edition, ADB set out to refresh the forum - not just as another event, but as a space that inspires action, builds trust, and deepens collaboration.

CDA was brought in to reposition the forum with a bold identity that underscores ADB’s leadership and the urgency of a water-secure future - helping turn the forum into something people don’t just attend, but remember, and act on.

Client
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Year
2024
Industry
Sustainability & Non-Profit
Scope
Brand Identity, Spatial & Event, Wayfinding & Signage

Opportunity

Solving the water puzzle - together.

Our goal was to reimagine the ADB Water and Urban Forum as more than a traditional event—it needed to become a platform for collective problem-solving. Framed around the idea of a “water puzzle,” the forum invites diverse voices to bring their pieces—ideas, experiences, and challenges—and start building shared solutions. By turning complexity into collaboration, we helped shape a space where lasting impact begins.

Branded event wall showcasing the new visual identity for the ADB Water and Urban Development Forum 2025

VISUAL SYSTEM

Puzzle - the pieces of progress.

Assembled from simple geometric forms and inspired by an urban planner’s grid, this motif represents the complex, ever-evolving challenge of water security. Each shape reflects a different stakeholder, perspective, or issue - distinct, but essential.

Directional signage featuring the “Flow – Lines of Connection” motif to guide participants through forum spaces

Animation showcasing AWUF 2025 puzzle motifs

Flow - the lines of connection.

Inspired by the natural movement of water, this motif reflects the rhythm of open dialogue and idea exchange. Flowing lines symbolize how insight, innovation, and collaboration move across the forum - connecting people and perspectives.

Color System

Core color system for the ADB Water and Urban Development Forum, highlighting orange, blue (for water), and green as key thematic colors

Branded event materials showcasing the new visual identity.

WAYFINDING & SIGNAGE SYSTEM

Channelling the flow of collaboration

More than wayfinding, the signage system was designed to guide people through a curated journey - navigating complexity, encouraging interaction, and supporting the flow of collaboration. It becomes part of how the forum moves, connects, and builds momentum.

Wayfinding screen displaying event schedule for Day 03, including room assignments and session times.

Digital signage displaying the AWUF daily agenda, using the forum’s new branding system

AWUF venue map signage featuring the forum’s new branding system, displayed on a metal stand against a textured wall.

Printed signage displaying AWUF venue map, using the forum’s new branding system

"Infographic for AWUF 2025 featuring six tracks focused on sustainability, urban transformation, investment, innovation, services, and capacity development."

Social media infographic guiding attendees to explore AWUF 2025 across six key tracks.

Overview of learning formats for a conference, including session durations and participant limits for each format.

Session format visual for AWUF 2025, highlighting interactive and pre-registered learning styles.

Wayfinding signage featuring two directional signs for meeting rooms 13-20 and 06-12, designed for easy navigation.

Colorful wayfinding signage blocks in a modern interior, featuring home, water, direction, and person icons.

Colorful wayfinding signage in a transit station, showcasing "Introduction to Urban Planning" and "Introduction to Water Security."

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Green wall featuring the text "Let's talk," with modern furniture and pendant lights in a cozy cafe setting.

Branded wall graphic for networking zone featuring message and icon from the forum’s visual system.

Indoor wayfinding signage displaying "Meeting room 22-24" with icons for navigation, ideal for networking events.

Indoor wayfinding signage directing participants to networking meeting rooms using the new branding language.

EVENT APPLICATION

Extending the story beyond the stage

We applied the brand across physical and digital touchpoints to create a unified experience throughout the event - one that reinforced the forum’s role in shaping solutions for water and urban development across the region.

Laptop displaying a digital login registration interface on a blue background, placed on a textured surface.

Branded online registration & login interface for the ADB Water and Urban Development Forum platform.

Wristbands featuring ADB logos and colorful designs for a water and urban development event.

Colorful passport brochure featuring geometric shapes and the word "PASSPORT," held above a hand against a light blue background.

Collage of promotional slides for ADB Water and Urban Development Forum 2025 featuring speakers and event details.

Social media post by Asian Development Bank highlighting climate statistics and ocean conservation efforts.

SPATIAL & STAGE

From Vision to Venue

We brought the forum’s identity into the real world through a unified system of spatial design and environmental storytelling. From directional signage to interactive installations, every detail was thoughtfully designed to help over 600 delegates navigate the space, connect with one another, and engage deeply with the forum’s mission.

By translating the brand into physical and environmental elements across ADB headquarters, we crafted an experience that was both intuitive and inspiring. Each touchpoint—whether wayfinding graphics, thematic zones, or exhibition displays—reinforced the forum’s core values of sustainability, resilience, and urban transformation.