Prudent land use planning has enabled Singapore to enjoy strong economic growth and social cohesion, and ensures that sufficient land is safeguarded to support continued economic progress and future development.
Introduction
Urban planning in Singapore has formulated and guided its physical development from the day Singapore was founded in 1819 as a British colony to the developed, independent country it is today. Urban planning is especially important due to land constraints and its high density.
Reason to Be Selected
Singapore set an ideal model of land-use planning both for social density and natured in the 21st century.
Highlights:
Consistent planning, smooth upgradingDesigning for density
Being in touch with nature
Home is where the heart (and everything else) is
Details
Consistent planning, smooth upgrading
As a city-state, Singapore has to fit everything a country needs into a city-sized space. In Singapore, most land already has an existing use. When a piece of land has to be redeveloped, there has to be another space to serve as its replacement. This often results in a ‘musical chairs’ phenomenon where land is continually reshuffled to enable development in some areas, while ensuring that current needs and demand is met through the rest. An example is the Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) to rejuvenate older HDB estates, and the use of temporary holding locations when existing school campuses undergo renovation.
As a city-state, Singapore has to fit everything a country needs into a city-sized space. In Singapore, most land already has an existing use. When a piece of land has to be redeveloped, there has to be another space to serve as its replacement. This often results in a ‘musical chairs’ phenomenon where land is continually reshuffled to enable development in some areas, while ensuring that current needs and demand is met through the rest. An example is the Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) to rejuvenate older HDB estates, and the use of temporary holding locations when existing school campuses undergo renovation.
Recommended
Designing for density
Urban planners use a “checkerboard planning” approach that separates high-rise buildings with low rise buildings and spaces. This gives a feeling of spaciousness and prevents city-dwellers from being literally ‘walled-in’. Another way to create respite is to intersperse the urban environment with a variety of flora. Basically, where there is space, plant trees!
Being in touch with nature
Singapore is touted as a ‘Garden City’, Wherever you live in Singapore, there is always a park, waterway no more than a stone’s throw away. In the heartlands, we have green lungs such as Bishan Park and MacRitchie Reservoir. Also not to forget the ubiquitous landscaped pathways around your neighbourhood
Urban planners use a “checkerboard planning” approach that separates high-rise buildings with low rise buildings and spaces. This gives a feeling of spaciousness and prevents city-dwellers from being literally ‘walled-in’. Another way to create respite is to intersperse the urban environment with a variety of flora. Basically, where there is space, plant trees!
Being in touch with nature
Singapore is touted as a ‘Garden City’, Wherever you live in Singapore, there is always a park, waterway no more than a stone’s throw away. In the heartlands, we have green lungs such as Bishan Park and MacRitchie Reservoir. Also not to forget the ubiquitous landscaped pathways around your neighbourhood
Home is where the heart (and everything else) is!
The HDB heartlands provide affordable homes that generations of Singaporeans can call their own, and are a quintessential part of the Singaporean psyche. Good neighbourhood planning and development helps to bring amenities closer to people. Another transformation that has been taking place is the
decentralisation of commercial activities to outside of the city, closer to where Singaporeans live. With decentralisation, the live-work-play lifestyle is
becoming a reality.
The HDB heartlands provide affordable homes that generations of Singaporeans can call their own, and are a quintessential part of the Singaporean psyche. Good neighbourhood planning and development helps to bring amenities closer to people. Another transformation that has been taking place is the
decentralisation of commercial activities to outside of the city, closer to where Singaporeans live. With decentralisation, the live-work-play lifestyle is
becoming a reality.
Conclusions
Taking a step back, it is clear that Singapore’s approach to urban planning isn’t just about practical solutions to cope with limited space and density – it is also about improving our everyday experiences and lifestyle, drawing people closer, and making city living great!
| Lat: | 1 |
| Lng: | 103 |
| Type: | |
| Region: | Asia |
| Scale: | City |
| Field: | Governance |
| City: | Singapore |