Singapore: Designing a Megacity in Harmony with Nature 🌳

Summary

In this episode of *Human Footprint*, Shane Campbell-Staton explores how Singapore blends urban living with nature. Architect Pearl Chee discusses her design of Kampung Admiralty, which integrates greenery and biodiversity into urban spaces. With a unique law requiring buildings to replace green spaces they occupy, Singapore has become a global leader in green urbanism. The episode highlights Singapore’s commitment to balancing urban development with ecological sustainability, showcasing its innovative architecture, water management systems, and thriving wildlife. Through intentional design and government planning, Singapore has created a model for cities around the world to learn from.

Takeaways

• 😀 Singapore's urban design integrates nature into buildings, providing more species within construction than in natural spaces.
• 🌳 Singapore aims to merge urbanization and reforestation, creating a city where nature thrives alongside urban living.
• 🏙️ Green spaces in Singapore are a natural part of the city's design, always around residents, not just as isolated escapes.
• 🌿 Legislation in Singapore requires all buildings to replace 100% of the green space they occupy, ensuring ecological balance in urban development.
• 🐦 Kampung Admiralty's design has allowed over 50 species of wildlife to thrive in its gardens, showcasing the success of urban biodiversity efforts.
• 💧 Singapore uses innovative solutions like cascading planters and rainwater harvesting to manage water and reduce waste.
• 👩‍🔬 Urban environments in Singapore prioritize biodiversity by incorporating edible plants and creating spaces for wildlife such as birds and insects.
• 🏡 Singapore’s public housing, including Kampung Admiralty, integrates modern amenities with an emphasis on accessibility and community interaction.
• 🛠️ Over 60-70 years, Singapore has transformed from a city of slums into a highly urbanized and green space, thanks to strategic planning and government support.
• 🌍 Singapore’s government controls urban planning centrally, ensuring a harmonious balance between development, nature, and the needs of its population.
• 🦦 Urban developments like the Punggol Waterway are designed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, bringing back wildlife like otters while optimizing water management.

Q & A

How does the biodiversity in Singapore's urban environments compare to natural spaces?

In Singapore, urban environments like buildings and parks host more species than some natural spaces, due to intentional designs that integrate greenery and wildlife habitats.

What is the design philosophy behind the integration of nature in Singapore's urban spaces?

The design philosophy in Singapore focuses on creating spaces where nature and urban living coexist and thrive together, transforming urban areas into environments that support biodiversity.

What makes Singapore's green spaces different from other cities?

In Singapore, nature is seamlessly integrated into urban spaces, creating an environment where greenery is part of the city’s infrastructure, not an escape from it. This is achieved through legislation and design.

What role does legislation play in integrating greenery into urban buildings in Singapore?

Legislation requires that any building development in Singapore must replace 100% of the footprint used for construction with green space, ensuring that urbanization doesn't come at the expense of nature.

How does Singapore incorporate wildlife into its urban spaces?

By designing buildings with cascading landscapes, edible plants, and rainwater harvesting systems, Singapore attracts wildlife like birds, mammals, and insects, ensuring biodiversity is maintained in the city.

How does the Kampung Admiralty building contribute to biodiversity?

Kampung Admiralty, designed by architect Pearl Chee, includes a variety of plant life, including fruit trees, and uses cascading landscapes to connect greenery from the rooftops to the ground floor, supporting diverse species.

What is the significance of public housing in Singapore's urban planning?

Public housing in Singapore is highly integrated with nature and amenities. The quality of these spaces has dramatically improved, offering modern housing, healthcare, social programs, and green spaces, which are accessible to all.

What historical challenges did Singapore face in urban planning, and how did they overcome them?

Singapore faced rapid urbanization after gaining sovereignty, resulting in unplanned sprawl. The government responded by building affordable housing and incorporating green spaces into the urban landscape, eventually creating a balance between development and nature.

How does Singapore manage the competing needs of urban development and environmental sustainability?

Singapore balances urban development and environmental sustainability by integrating green spaces into buildings and public areas, using technology like computer models to optimize the city's layout for better air quality, cooling, and biodiversity.

How has the concept of ‘City in Nature’ evolved in Singapore?

Singapore has transitioned from being a ‘garden city’ to a ‘city in nature,’ focusing on creating an urban environment where biodiversity is nurtured and nature is incorporated into every aspect of urban life, even in skyscrapers and public spaces.