Building a city in nature

Abstract

Singapore is a densely populated metropolis with more than 5 million inhabitants living on 719 sq km of land. With limited resources and a growing population, an integrated approach to planning and implementation is key to developing a more liveable and sustainable city. Today, water is seen as an environmental asset that can enhance Singapore. The launch of the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Programme (ABC Waters) has been able to transform many concrete monsoon drains into beautifully landscaped streams, rivers and lakes, bringing people closer to water. Beyond a City of Gardens and Water, Singapore could be envisioned to be a City in Nature, where the integration of nature with the built environment is taken into consideration in urban planning and design.