Building Marina Bay District from the Ground Up

Summary

Marina Bay in Singapore was once a place for recreational activities and even open sea, as shown in maps from the 1940s. Over the years, it transformed through an ambitious land reclamation project starting in 1979, led by engineers like Mr. Fong. The process involved recycling materials from various construction sites and using an extensive conveyor system to transport the materials for reclamation. Mr. Fong reflects on the personal satisfaction of watching the land take shape, proudly contributing to the iconic Marina Bay that stands today.

Takeaways

• 😀 Marina Bay was once a place for kite flying, bowling, and cheap steamboats before its development.
• 😀 In the 1940s, Marina Bay did not exist on maps of Singapore; it was simply open sea.
• 😀 Land reclamation transformed Marina Bay into what it is today, with significant engineering efforts involved.
• 😀 Mr. Fong, a coastal engineer at Savannah Jerome, was involved in many of these reclamation projects.
• 😀 The reclamation of Marina South and Marina East began in 1979 and involved using material from nearby construction sites.
• 😀 The land reclamation project was built on high ground, which was used as a foundation for housing and development.
• 😀 A significant feature of the reclamation process was the use of a belt conveyor system to transport materials over large distances.
• 😀 The conveyor belt system used in the reclamation was 1,400 millimeters wide and stretched over 26 kilometers in length.
• 😀 Unlike in the past, Singapore no longer has abundant hills to source materials for land reclamation.
• 😀 Today, reclaimed materials come from various construction sites and specialized stations known as MRP stations.
• 😀 Mr. Fong finds fulfillment in his work, especially in seeing the land take shape and knowing that he played a part in building it.

Q & A

How has Marina Bay changed over the years?

Marina Bay has undergone significant transformation. Previously, it was a popular spot for activities like flying kites, bowling, and having cheap steamboats. In the past, it was just open sea, as indicated in a map from the 1940s, where Marina Bay did not exist.

What role did Mr. Fong play in the development of Marina Bay?

Mr. Fong is a coastal engineer at Savannah Jerome, a company involved in land reclamation projects. He played a key role in the reclamation of Marina South and Marina East, which were crucial to the development of Marina Bay.

What was the special approach taken in the reclamation of Marina South and Marina East?

The reclamation process for Marina South and Marina East involved using recycled materials from various construction sites. This helped form platforms for housing and development in the area.

How was the recycled material transported for the reclamation project?

The recycled material was transported using a belt conveyor system, which was large and long—about 1,400 millimeters wide and 26,000 meters in length, much larger than the typical conveyor systems used in Japanese restaurants.

Do we still use hills for land reclamation in Singapore?

No, Singapore no longer has the luxury of using hills for land reclamation. While material is still sourced locally, it is now primarily recycled from construction sites, and external sources are used minimally.

Where do the materials for land reclamation come from now?

Materials for land reclamation are sourced from various places, including different construction sites and so-called 'MRP stations', where materials are recycled for use in reclamation projects.

What is Mr. Fong's most satisfying part of his job?

Mr. Fong finds it most fulfilling to witness the active creation of land. He takes pride in knowing that his work has contributed to the development of Marina Bay, telling his children that he had a hand in building the land.

How significant was land reclamation for the development of Marina Bay?

Land reclamation was a major factor in the development of Marina Bay, transforming the area from open sea into a bustling urban space. The reclamation efforts were essential for creating the space needed for housing and other developments.

What technology was used in the transportation of materials during the reclamation?

A large-scale belt conveyor system was used for the transportation of materials. This conveyor system had a width of 1,400 millimeters and stretched over a length of 26,000 meters, much larger than the systems typically seen in smaller scale projects.

What was the original state of Marina Bay before the land reclamation?

Before land reclamation, Marina Bay was open sea. The area did not exist as it does today and was used for activities like kite flying and other leisure activities before urban development began.