#62: unEARTHing the Singapore Cluster Workshop (URA Gallery) - Notes
- Wen Xin Ng
- May 3, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 14, 2024
Key Takeaways
"History Matters to Geography Learning" - History provides the context and grounding that help us understand how our past shaped our development and guides our future growth. Bringing in SG’s historical context can help students understand our place in the world.
Scenario-based learning can help students grasp the complexities involved in decision-making in real-world scenario. For instance, students can immerse themselves in the role of the Singapore government, charting the country's development from post-independence to the present day. (read more about scenario-based learning here)
Dig deep! When examining Singapore's approach to sustainable development, look beyond the surface and consider the various challenges they are addressing with a single strategy. [killing two(or more) birds with one stone!]
E.g. Marina Barrage
Water Supply: It creates a freshwater reservoir by preventing seawater intrusion, providing a reliable source of water for the city.
Flood Control: It helps manage and mitigate flooding by regulating water levels in the Marina Reservoir, especially during heavy rainfall or high tides.
Recreation: The reservoir and surrounding areas are popular for various recreational activities such as kayaking, and picnicking, enhancing locals' quality of life.
Education and Outreach: The Marina Barrage serves as an educational hub, with the Sustainable Singapore Gallery offering visitors insights into Singapore’s water management strategies and sustainability initiatives.
E.g. Cleaning up Singapore River
Public Health Concerns: The river was heavily polluted with industrial waste, domestic sewage, and other pollutants, posing significant health risks to residents.
Economic Development: Cleaning up the river was crucial for the redevelopment of the riverfront area, which was seen as a potential hub for tourism, business, and recreation.
Water Quality Management: Improving the water quality in the river was essential for integrating it into the country’s overall water management system.
SG Cluster: Sense-Making
Idea of environment stewardship
Imparting values
Believing in the success and future of SG
URA Planning in Singapore
Ms Ang Ruyi | Senior Manager, Outreach · Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)
3 May 2024
URA's mission: to make SG a great city to live, work and play
SG's context: land scarce; land-use planning needs to be long-term
SG's approach: flexibility & resilience
Flexibility in terms of adaptable spaces; multiple uses
E.g. Sports facilities in schools can be used by the community after-hours
Resilience in terms of anticipating change, adapting and thriving
E.g. Long Island as a preemptive response to climate change impacts
Planning Process:
A structured framework to implement our plans (see below)
Place-making: making a place vibrant, lively, people-friendly; "life of the city"
Responses to land scarcity:
Approach | Case Study | Consideration(s)/Possible Implication(s) |
Reclaiming Land | 'Long Island' - land reclaimed off the East Coast; could also take the form of ‘islands’ located some distance away from the existing coastline  Read more here. | Administrative boundaries - not encroaching on other countries' territory) Factoring in space for maritime operations Cost - the further out we reclaim, the deeper the sea, the more resources required for the reclamation |
Build Higher | The Pinnacle @ Duxton - first 50-storey public housing project in Singapore, housing 1,848 units in 7 towering blocks. | There is a limit to how high we can build. |
Utilise Underground Space | Marina Bay  Jurong Rock Caverns - developed by JTC and located on Jurong Island; used to store liquid hydrocarbons.  | Placing essential infrastructure underground allow us to dedicate our land for more people-centric uses e.g. housing, parks and community spaces.
Underground pedestrian links seamlessly connected to MRT lines that run underground enhance connectivity and accessibility for commuters, allowing them to travel in air-conditioned comfort regardless of external weather conditions. Read more here & here. Use of subterranean space enhances security and safety of storing products; translates to a saving of ≈60ha of land above ground, which can be used for higher value-added activities e.g. chemical manufacturing Read more here. |
Recycle and Redevelop Land | Keppel Club redevelopment - 6,000 HDB flats to be build on the existing Keppel Club golf site Read more here. | |
Co-locate and Intensify Landuse | Our Tampines Hub - Singapore’s largest integrated community and lifestyle hub, bringing together multiple agencies and offering a comprehensive range of services and facilities. Read more here. Eunoia Junior College - first high-rise JC; takes up one-third of the land space of a typical JC | Beyond saving valuable space, co-locating compatible recreational and community uses increasesconvenience. Greater social integration is also achieved (e.g. having field, library and supermarket all in one location) |
Draft Masterplan 2025 - Resources
💡 I actually visited the URA gallery to view the Long-Term Plan Exhibition back in July 2022! Some posts I shared on my teacher IG account:
Other Useful Resources:
Tampines to be first town centre in Singapore with district cooling system, network operational in 2025
Frees up rooftop spaces for other uses where air conditioning condensers would typically be located - e.g. community garden, deployment of solar panels
Absence of air conditioning condensers would also reduce ambient temperature
Though district cooling would not be a replacement for air conditioning
Requires significant infrastructure for distribution, which might be challenging in densely populated or already developed areas.
Existing buildings may need modifications to connect to the district cooling network.
Less flexible compared to individual units, as the cooling capacity is centralised and may not easily adjust to varying demand.
Link to article here.
Before & After PICTURES - Singapore and its Pursuit of GDP Growth
Link to article here.
Before & After SLIDERS - Singapore Then & Now
Link to interactive sliders here.
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