Why Singapore Is Insanely Well Designed

Summary

The video contrasts the metro systems of Singapore and Los Angeles, highlighting Singapore's superior public transport design and infrastructure. Singapore's metro efficiently serves high-density areas with frequent trains, while LA's system focuses on city-center travel with less frequent service. The video also explores Singapore's policies to limit car ownership, promote cycling and walking, and develop green spaces and sustainable housing. It showcases Singapore's rapid urban development, land reclamation, and environmental initiatives, emphasizing its transformation into a well-designed, efficient, and green city-state.

Takeaways

• 🚇 Singapore's Metro system efficiently serves 2.1 million passengers daily over 200 kilometers, with frequent trains, unlike LA's less utilized system.
• 📊 Singapore's Metro design is ingenious, covering key areas and high-density population zones, unlike LA's system, which is focused on the city center.
• 🚗 High car ownership costs in Singapore, including a $99,500 price tag for a Toyota Corolla, are by design to limit cars and promote public transport.
• 🌍 Singapore, a small island nation, has designed its infrastructure to maximize limited land, supporting a car-light society.
• 🏡 Singapore's public housing strategy is a success story, with 80% of its citizens living in well-designed, mixed-income housing estates.
• 🚶‍♂️ Singapore is expanding its cycling and walking infrastructure, aiming to add 700 kilometers of cycling paths by 2030 and enhancing covered walkways for pedestrians.
• 🌳 Singapore has focused on environmental sustainability, creating a Garden City with 7,800 hectares of green space and strict green building regulations.
• 🏞️ Singapore's unique approach to land reclamation has added 25% more land to the city, though it has had environmental costs.
• 💧 Singapore's innovative water management includes reservoirs, desalination, and recycling wastewater to meet its water needs.
• 🏗️ Singapore's rapid development and ambitious projects are facilitated by a stable government, which has prioritized long-term planning over short-term politics.

Q & A

How many passengers does Singapore's Metro System serve daily?

Singapore's Metro System serves 2.1 million passengers per day.

What is the approximate length of both Singapore's and Las Metro Systems?

Both Singapore's and Las Metro Systems are roughly 200 kilometers long.

Why does Singapore's Metro System have a higher ridership compared to LA's?

Singapore's Metro System has a higher ridership due to its design that serves all key areas and a ring that goes through nearly every high population area, as well as more frequent train services.

What is unique about Singapore's public transport system design?

Singapore's public transport system design is unique because it includes a ring that serves high population areas, allowing for efficient travel from one side of the city to another without going through the city center.

How does Singapore's master plan for its Metro System include technology for maintenance?

Singapore's master plan includes the installation of imaging sensors and laser scanners on trains to monitor track conditions in real time, which helps in knowing exactly when repairs are necessary and avoiding long delays and downtimes.

Why is owning a car in Singapore so expensive?

Owning a car in Singapore is expensive due to the country's quota system that keeps the number of passenger cars stable, requiring drivers to buy a 10-year certificate of entitlement (Coe) at auction, which is costly, in addition to the high cost of the car itself.

What is the average rush hour speed on Singapore's expressways?

The average rush hour speed on Singapore's expressways is 60 kilometers an hour.

How does Singapore's government plan to increase the cycling infrastructure by 2030?

Singapore plans to increase its cycling infrastructure by adding another 700 kilometers of cycling paths by 2030, assuming the same quality of bike infrastructure is achieved.

What is the significance of the covered walkways in Singapore?

The covered walkways in Singapore are significant as they provide a comfortable way for residents to walk, especially in the tropical climate with monsoon rains and intense sunshine, and are concentrated around public transport to improve connectivity.

How has Singapore managed to achieve high rates of home ownership in public housing?

Singapore has achieved high rates of home ownership in public housing through the Housing and Development Board's approach of selling new apartments to citizens at market rates with a 99-year lease, enforced quotas for income groups and ethnicities, and a renovation program to keep older housing complexes attractive.

What is Singapore's strategy for water management?

Singapore manages its water through four sources: imported water from Malaysia, rainwater catchment, desalination, and 'new water' which is treated wastewater. The city also collects water from two-thirds of its surface area through reservoirs.

How has Singapore's government addressed the issue of environmental degradation?

Singapore's government has addressed environmental degradation by cleaning up polluted rivers, building reservoirs for rainwater, implementing desalination and 'new water' treatment, and creating a 'Garden City' with extensive green spaces, nature reserves, and green buildings.