Singapore is leading the way to creating a greener urban environment
Singapore is gaining a reputation as a destination for business and leisure. City in NatureSingaporean design is well-known for its strong belief in the importance of green spaces. Both architects and urban planners have made a conscious decision to incorporate nature into the city’s development. This includes incorporating green roofs, vertical gardens and verdant walls.
This article will examine the pioneering efforts of Singapore to make it a more biodiverse nation and city. It also explains how other major cities could adopt similar initiatives in the next ten years to set the stage for the future.
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Landscape architects Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl, and the Singaporean government’s statutory board. National Parks BoardThey were the first to create the city-filled with biodiverse gardens that Singapore is today. Further, the research of Yun Hye Hwangof the National University of Singapore, and the Future Cities LabCurrently, the focus of the research is on how science and design can be used to create sustainable cities and settlements.
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Following the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, Singapore is leading the charge in greening urban environments. COP26Although the original purpose of the Green Singapore initiative was to create a unique and desirable image for the city-state, it is now praised for its ability solve urban heat problems, help with sustainable water management and improve biodiversity in the area. To address these issues, several projects have been undertaken to provide sustainable design solutions that will further the “greening” of the city.
Bishan-Ang Mo Kio ParkBy Ramboll Studio DreiseitlOne of Singapore’s most beloved heartland parks. As part of a much-needed park update and plans to increase the capacity at the Kallang channel along its edge, works were done to transform the once utilitarian concrete channel to a naturalized stream, creating new spaces for the community.
“The project was designed in order to maximize the capture of water that falls naturally on the Island, and to create a sense ownership that will last through generations, so people will want the natural environment to be protected.” Leonard Ng, Country director
The project is part Program for Active, Beautiful, and Clean Waters (ABC Waters).The long-term initiative of Singapore’s Public Utilities Board, to transform the country’s water resources beyond their primary functions of drainage and water supply into vibrant new spaces for community bonding, recreation, and community building.
“The project encourages the creation of a biodiverse ecosystem, with birds and otters among others, because it was designed for people to coexist in harmony with nature. This is biophilic design. Nature can be used to energise, charge and reconnect people with nature as our ancestors did. Leonard Ng, Country director
Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl was also responsible to the development at Jurong Lake GardensThe first national gardens of Singapore in the heartlands. The 53-hectare Lakeside Garden is designed to restore the landscape heritage from the swamp and forest, and serve as a canvas for community activities and recreation. It is a conscious effort by Jurong to restore the natural beauty of the Jurong region.
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Kampung Admiralty is the final project of Ramboll Studio. It brings together many programs under one roof. The architectural scheme is based on a layered “club sandwich” approach. The community can relax and strengthen relationships by taking advantage of the abundance of greenery in the housing development. Tree planting strategies include biodiversity, foliage, fruit trees, and other tree planting strategies.
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Future Cities Lab GlobalThis initiative aims to improve the ability of Singapore, Switzerland, and other countries to understand, study, and respond to the global sustainability challenges. Professor Thomas Schrper of the University of Technology and Design has this to say:
“Singapore is a fascinating case study because it is dense and under extreme development pressure. As it grows, there is only one way for the city to go – up. That is to become a Vertical City. The government has introduced new policies over the past 10 years that encourage green architecture. There are many interesting cases in Singapore in buildings and in urban design strategies.
Future Cities Lab continues to research the environmental performance and impact of green buildings on the environment. The main obstacle to achieving a “city in nature” is acceptance by the public that humans must coexist with other living things.
Yun Hye HwangThe National University of Singapore (NUS), is constantly exploring the potential for growing connections between academic findings, practical applications of urban greening within real-world situations. They believe that green spaces are essential to improving quality of life.
The Ventus Naturalized GardenThe NUS main campus is an excellent example of alternative landscape technology. It allows spontaneous plants to overgrow the boring campus lawn without any design intervention. It acts as a link between a woodland park, and a secondary forest. This demonstrates that even small areas of land can support a wide range of flora while still being part of an ecological network at city scale.
The Singapore government launched its 2021 budget. Green Plan 2030The Green Plan is a movement that brings together all Singaporeans to unite and make Singapore a global city of sustainability. The Green Plan includes the setting aside 50% of the island’s land (around 200 ha) for nature parks. These parks will be located within a 10-minute walking distance from each household. It also aims to plant one million trees across the island to absorb more carbon dioxide, resulting in cleaner air and cooler shade.
The National Parks Board of Singapore was founded with the vision of creating a City in a Garden. It has spent decades transforming Singapore’s parks and gardens into places that are open to all. They also set aside areas of core biodiversity in order to preserve Singapore’s native biodiversity. As Singapore continues to transform into a City of Nature it is crucial that biophilic design is used to restore habitats and engage the wider community in supporting the national greening efforts.
Singapore is now one of the greenest places in the world. We have lush urban greenery because of the decades-long, dedicated efforts to green Singapore. Damian Tang Senior Director/Design, National Parks Board
Due to the increased risk of extreme weather patterns caused by climate change, urbanization, and increasing population, there is a growing need to create a more sustainable, resilient, and liveable Singapore for future generations. National Parks Board also offers over 3,500 educational programs in their various green spaces. These programs are crucial in allowing the community to have a closer experience with nature and in promoting mental well-being. Tang believes that the City in Nature vision represents the next frontier in urban planning in this country.
National Parks Board has five key strategies to transform Singapore into City in Nature. These include: conserving and expanding Singapore’s natural capital; intensifying nature in parks and gardens; restoring nature to the urban landscape; strengthening connectivity between green spaces in Singapore; and developing excellence in veterinary and wildlife management. Damian Tang Senior Director/Design, National Parks Board
Today, almost half the land of Singapore is covered in green spaces. Many Singaporeans benefited from the use parks that were implemented during the pandemic. They act as green lungs, allowing them to exercise and breathe freely within dense urban environments.