Skyline

ISSUE 04 · 2016

Insights into planning

spaces around us

Communities
go car-lite
Streets are the new venue for passion projects

Why the birds returned to Kranji Marshes The evolution of urban resilience
 ISSUE 04 · 2016

Editorial team
Serene Tng
Cassandra Yeap

Contributing writers
Jennifer Eveland
Timothy Misir
Justin Zhuang
Ruthe Kee
Sarah Liu
Adora Wong

Photographers
Mark Teo
Louis Kwok
Chee Boon Pin
Wilson Pang

Guest contributor
Jeannie Quek
CLASSICALLY SPONTANEOUS: THE PEOPLE AT SERANGOON ROAD’S ‘LITTLE INDIA’ FORM
THE BACKBONE OF A CONSERVATION AREA THAT IS ALWAYS ADAPTING EVEN AS IT STAYS
THE SAME. WE CAPTURE SOME OF THEIR COLOURFUL TALES ON PAGE 21. Editorial assistant
Shannon Tan

Design
Silicon+

Contents Published by

03 The road to resilience 23 Documenting Little India’s charm

The importance of urban resilience Timeless, organic and always colourful
amid uncertainties Address
45 Maxwell Road
26 Imagining streets without cars The URA Centre
06 Restoring Singapore’s largest Creativity and community turn Singapore 069118
freshwater marshland roads vibrant
We welcome feedback and
How Kranji Marshes was rehabilitated
submissions. Contact us at
29 Activating spaces through music [email protected]
10 Keeping Marina Bay cool Recycled pianos bond people in +65 6321 8215
Delving into the world’s largest public spaces
Connect with us at
underground district cooling system www.ura.gov.sg/skyline
30 At a glance facebook.com/URASingapore
14 Towards a car-lite Singapore Initiatives shaping neighbourhoods twitter.com/URAsg
Going car-lite needs more than just and spaces around us
Some of the articles in this
cycling paths issue are also published in
Going Places Singapore,
19 What does it take to keep a www.goingplacessingapore.sg
place alive?
Experts explain who and what No part of this publication
may be reproduced in whole
make a place memorable
or in part without the prior
consent of the URA.
All rights reserved.
The road to resilience
How developing urban resilience can help Singapore survive
and thrive amid a host of global uncertainties.

Writer Jennifer Eveland

A decade ago, urban resilience referred to a city’s As a selected member of 100RC, Singapore’s
disaster preparedness, but in recent years the resilience challenges have been identified as
concept has evolved. Certainly, devastating global coastal and rainfall flooding, heat waves, pollution or
weather events continue to take their toll. However, environmental degradation and rising sea level and
as other crises erupt around the world our attention coastal erosion with the city’s expressed goals to
is drawn to vulnerabilities created by complex and share lessons about climate change while it works to
interdependent issues related to climate change address income inequity and strengthen civic bonds.
and global economics, security and resource So how exactly does a city achieve its urban
scarcity. With these in mind, experts have come to resilience goals? Time was, a local government
apply the principles of urban resilience to address would focus its resources to build emergency
a broader range of potential catastrophes beyond networks and disaster-proof its infrastructure, but
natural disasters. given the complexity and myriad of today’s threats,
Urban resilience is gaining traction as urban resilience is now about developing systems
non-governmental organisations and agencies and spaces with the capacity to evolve almost
establish support frameworks to help cities adopt organically through smart, flexible, holistic and
best practices. One example, The Rockefeller inclusive measures.
Foundation, aims to ignite an urban resilience “Everyone – business, government, civic
movement with its 100 Resilient Cities initiative, society, academia and NGOs – has a role to
or 100RC, dedicated to helping cities around the play in building resilience, and everyone stands
world control how they respond to physical, social to benefit,” says Judith Rodin, president of
and economic challenges, adapt to shocks and The Rockefeller Foundation.
stresses and even transform them into opportunities “Government partnerships with the corporate
for growth. sector and non-governmental organisations like

03
 environmental groups will bring capitalise solutions together to transform an empty lot into an identifiable
that are much more diverse and capitalise on place for the community and challenge the NIMBY,
innovative ideas from many more quarters,” says or Not In My Backyard attitude so prevalent today.
Jimmy Khoo, Managing Director of Singapore District P!D’s Tampines Changkat Neighborhood Renewal
Cooling (SDC), the world’s largest fully-underground Programme (NRP) is an ongoing partnership between
district cooling system, located deep under P!D, the Tampines Town Council, the Residents’
Singapore’s Marina Bay. Committees of Tampines Changkat Zone 3 and 5, the
SDC exemplifies the contribution of public- Tampines Citizens’ Consultative Committee, and the
private partnership to resilience-building. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) to develop
government paved the way with a vision for the an improved system for community engagement
innovative district-wide infrastructure, corporate with regards to improvement works to local
partner Singapore Power brought in engineering housing estates.
know-how and commercial experience, resulting “One tenet of resiliency is the capacity of a group
in a world-class infrastructure that saves the city or community to adapt and react to challenges or
space, energy and cost, and is one of the most disruption on the ground,” says Mizah Rahman, P!D
reliable in the world. director and co-founder. “One of the biggest issues
“When implementation of integrated solutions is in the current top-down planning approach is that
also built on partnership of the many,” adds Jimmy, people expect solutions to the problems of urban
“resilience is consequently a more likely outcome.” living to be readily delivered to them. This is the result
Public participation is another key ingredient to of a consumer-to-customer mindset where local
resilience building, and at the centre of this idea is the agencies are largely seen as a service provider from
concept of placemaking. When people have a hand in which people expect the delivery of solutions.”
the design and creation of their community spaces, P!D plays the role of the neutral facilitator,
it fosters a deeper connection to these places – a enabler and catalyst to encourage change from the
connection that motivates citizens to proactively ground up.
address major challenges. In this sense, communities “We see our role as designers, community
and people are at the core of urban resilience. organisers, and members of our own communities,”
Singaporean non-profit Participation !n Design (P!D) says Mizah. “Participatory design can be a powerful
is championing this approach, building resilience by platform for citizen participation. We see the potential
partnering with grassroots organisations, educational for a participatory design process as being able to
institutions and statutory boards in various initiatives not only transform and improve public spaces and
to design community-owned spaces and solutions, neighbourhood amenities, but to have meaningful
such as the Welcome to Our Backyard! (WOBY!) citizen participation around that as well. We believe
programme, where residents, grassroots leaders, that a community that actively participates in its
and senior citizens at a local home are working environment is a resilient community.”

PREVIOUS PAGE AND ABOVE RESIDENTS, GRASSROOTS LEADERS AND SENIOR CITIZENS WORK
WITH NON-PROFIT PARTICIPATION !N DESIGN TO TRANSFORM THEIR COMMUNITY IN TAMPINES.
04 PHOTO CREDIT: PARTICIPATE !N DESIGN
 For Colombian city Medellín, it’s impossible Universidades de Vida Articulada, or Life Articulated
to separate the idea of urban resilience from Units. Known locally as UVA, these projects
people and communities. welcome citizens to become actively involved in the
“Many times people don’t even know they are building of sports, recreational and cultural venues,
resilient,” says Anibal Gaviria, Medellín’s former and host activities that are decided upon by the
mayor, “but it’s in our DNA.” communities themselves.
Medellín is the winner of the Lee Kuan Yew “How does public participation affect resilience?”
World City Prize 2016, an award that recognises says Anibal. “One of Medellín’s greatest assets is
the extraordinary strides the city has undertaken to the pride of its citizens. It’s a wonderful asset that
transform itself over the past two decades, tackling is linked to resilience, because if you don’t love
economic and environmental issues in the face something, you won’t fight for it.”
of abject violence – in the 1990s Medellín had the It is this sense of resilience that earned Medellín
highest homicide rate in the world. Anibal puts top recognition within the 100RC network and the
the scope of the violence into a local perspective: second chief resilience officer to be appointed
“imagine in a country like Singapore, with more or anywhere in the world.
less 5 million people,” he says, “it means 20,000 “Resilience is not only to fight against a problem,”
murders a year.” says Anibal. “It’s like what Singapore does; to make a
Of the many innovative community-led projects challenge an opportunity. It’s not just about winning,
that Medellín has spearheaded, Anibal highlights the but about growing and becoming greater.”

Medellín
This year, the city of Medellín was awarded the
Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize 2016.

Colombia’s second largest city, Medellín has that have produced a lasting positive impact on
fought successfully to tackle challenges of urban neighbourhoods.
urban sprawl and environmental degradation, The Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize is a
social inequity and years of violent crime. The biennial international award that honours
city’s bold leadership focused on long-term outstanding achievements and contributions to
planning and social innovation, unconventional the creation of liveable, vibrant and sustainable
approaches to infrastructure development, urban communities around the world. Find
educational and cultural transformation and out more about Medellín’s transformation at
small-scale yet effective community projects youtube.com/URASingapore.

ABOVE UVA DE LA ESPERANZA, OR UVA - THE HOPE, IS ONE OF

SEVERAL VENUES WHICH WELCOMES COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.
PHOTO CREDIT: MUNICIPALITY OF MEDELLIN 05
Restoring Singapore’s largest
freshwater marshland
The rehabilitation of Kranji Marshes reflects a new kind of public-private-people
partnership with nature at the heart of planning. And the birds are flocking back.

Writer Timothy Misir Photographer Mark Teo

Stepping into Kranji Marshes early in the morning

is like stepping into another world – completely new
sounds, smells and sights. SUNGEI BULOH WETLAND RESERVE
Lying on the northwestern shore of Kranji
Reservoir, Kranji Marshes is one of Singapore’s
newest nature areas. There’s already plenty to look
out for during the 20-minute walk through Neo Tiew
Woods, from the main entrance at Kranji Gate to the
Marsh Station and Core Conservation Area, including
insects, monitor lizards and birds perched atop trees
or flying overhead. It is a sanctuary for both resident
and migratory birds, especially marsh birds, a respite
KRANJI MARSHES
from the city for the rest of us.
Marshes are waterlogged low-lying land areas
that flood during wet seasons or at high-tide. They
support a wide range of aquatic plants, including
reeds and grasses that function as natural habitats
and shelter for a variety of fishes, amphibians,
invertebrates and birds. While the public might be
familiar with wetlands because of the Sungei Buloh
Nature Reserve, a brackish (saltwater) mangrove
swamp, the freshwater Kranji Marshes is dominated
not by trees but by aquatic plants, grasses, sedges,
ferns, resulting in an open landscape.
“Freshwater habitats are very rare in Singapore.
Kranji Marshes, which at close to 57 hectares has
one of the largest freshwater marshland that is
accessible to the public, as well as woodland and
grass habitats. Visitors will see a lot of interesting VISITOR AND BIRD-WATCHING
birds that are not found anywhere else,” National FACILITIES BUILT BY URA

Parks Board (NParks) director of conservation AREA OPEN TO PUBLIC

Wong Tuan Wah says. CORE CONSERVATION AREA

The marsh was created by accident in the early POSSIBLE LOCATIONS

1970s with the damming of the Kranji River that TO SPOT BIRDS

flooded the low-lying catchment area. It functions BAYA WEAVER, PURPLE

SWAMPHEN AND COMMON
as a natural filtration system, cleaning and filtering MOORHEN
sediment-heavy water from several canals that GREY-HEADED FISH EAGLE
flow into the marsh before draining into the Kranji RED-WATTLED LAPWING
Reservoir. Left untouched for many years, the area

06
Balancing water and vegetation
To ensure birds kept coming back, a good balance of
exposed water area and vegetation needed to be struck.
An amphibious excavator cleared overgrown areas.

BEFORE Spot these birds!

Purple Swamphen
This striking bird has long legs
and large feet for wading in
shallow water and walking over
floating vegetation in the marsh.
It is known to move seasonally
AFTER
in response to changes in water
level and habitat.

Red-wattled Lapwing
The bird’s distinctive
appearance is complemented
by its loud calls. It also known
as the “Did-he-do-it” bird,
because of the shrill calls it
makes when alarmed that
sound like “Did he do it?” or
“Pity to do it”.

Grey-headed Fish Eagle

Hunting from a vantage point
overlooking water, the eagle
swoops down to glide along the
water surface and grabs its prey
behind the head with its powerful
talons. It is listed as Near
Threatened on the International
Union for Conservation of Nature
Red List of Threatened Species.

Baya Weaver
C O R E The male sings and performs
C O N S E R V A T I O N on the unfinished nest to
A R E A attract females. The female
inspects all the uncompleted
nests before finally selecting
the best. The birds pair up
and complete the nest by
adding the egg chamber and
entrance tunnel.

Common Moorhen
The Common Moorhen forages
both in the water and on land,
and often swallow sand and
gravel to help grind up tough
plant material. This bird is able
to swim even though it does not
have webbed feet.

07
 became a habitat for many types of wildlife, but the substantial nature area,” Nature Society (Singapore)
vegetation has since become overgrown, cutting off vice-chairman Ho Hua Chew says.
the water surface and preventing birds from foraging Enhancement of the area began in 2014, and it
and hunting for food sources. took almost two years to clear and develop the area.
“If not maintained, the water surface areas will URA executive architect Lim Chu Hwai says the
not be left open for long, as water weeds grow very agency approached the site differently from how
quickly. For birds to return, they need the area to it plans parks or its other projects, as the primary
have a good balance of exposed water area and user at Kranji Marshes is nature – birds in particular.
vegetation,” Tuan Wah explains. “In this rather urbanised setting, parks are usually
Opened to the public from 1 February 2016, Kranji man-made where you can put in structures and plant
Marshes is substantial and its marsh, woodland lots of things to recreate nature. But here is a natural
and grass habitats support a very rich array of landscape formed over time, left intact and nature
marshland wildlife, in particular birds. The area is has claimed it back, so the primary idea is to retain
home to more than 170 species of birds, 54 species and sensitively restore this old and pristine landscape
of butterflies, and 33 species of dragonflies. One can for the natural inhabitants, and only after achieving
also find threatened species of birds like the Purple that, to provide public amenities and access so the
Swamphen, Red-wattled Lapwing and Grey-headed public can enjoy this area,” he says.
Fish Eagle. The project team involved conservationists and
ornithologists from the onset. “This is important
A concerted effort because there are some very rare species here,
Nature Society (Singapore) has managed two and freshwater marshes have birds that are
ponds in the area since 2008, when it adopted part disappearing from Singapore altogether. Once the
of the marsh under Public Utilities Board (PUB)’s baseline of the flora and fauna of the area was set,
Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Programme, but we determined where the important areas are, and
the restoration of the larger marshes saw the fine-tuned the development plan: where to put the
involvement of public agencies like URA, NParks, footpaths, bridges and hides, as we know where
PUB, and groups like Nature Society (Singapore), as the sensitive areas are to avoid,” wildlife consultant
well as experts, consultants and engineers to restore Subaraj Rajathurai, who also monitored the bird and
and enhance the existing habitats, provide public wildlife population of the habitat monthly during its
amenities and enable visitors to learn more about the refurbishment, says. “We made sure not to cut down
area’s biodiversity. certain trees, like the albizias, which are very good for
“This is a very good example of the ‘three-Ps’ birds,” he adds.
model where nature conservation involves the To minimise disturbance to wildlife and the
engagement of the three sectors of the community marsh, an amphibious excavator was used to clear
– the public, private, and people, resulting in overgrown vegetation in the ponds and to form new
the successful long-term conservation of a islets. Habitat enhancement efforts such as creating

08
islands with stony surfaces different surfaces and Giving wildlife a boost
plantings that are favoured by certain bird species as The core conservation area is not usually opened
nesting grounds and installing perches for birds in to the public, as the area is ecologically sensitive,
open waters have been carried out at Kranji Marshes apart from guided tours conducted by the Nature
to encourage a diverse range of wetland-dependent Society and NParks. To minimise disturbance to
birds and other wildlife to thrive in this nature area. the wildlife, parts of the core conservation area
The amenities and facilities, mostly pre-fabricated will gradually be opened for public access after
offsite, include the about 11-metre tall lookout further assessment.
tower, floating boardwalks and eight blinds and “We’re not just talking about a dense city itself,
hides for bird watching and observing wildlife at but a dense city with lots of greens, and different
close quarters. The eco-friendly and sustainable types of greens. Success for this particular project is
infrastructure and amenities – skylights, green roofs, how much nature we retain, and how many birds we’ll
and benches made from recycled tree trunks – blend be able to keep at the end of the day,” URA director
seamlessly into the natural surroundings. (Projects Department) Teo Chong Yean says.
Subaraj said he noticed a rapid increase in bird
Putting nature at the core of planning life and other biodiversity as soon as the overgrown
Singapore has proven that a high-density living aquatic vegetation was cleared. “So far, based on
environment does not have to come at the expense of the variety I’ve found – I’ve just carried out a survey
nature – despite the scarcity of land, the government a few weeks ago and found 68 species of birds in
has set aside about 10 percent of the country’s land one morning – indicates that it’s been successful,”
area for nature, including nature reserves and parks. he said.
Policymakers see the city as a living space, not only “The fact that URA is willing to come to a nature
for people, but for nature too. area to do planning and design here, and got us
Kranji Marshes is an Environmental Improvement [Nature Society] to give advice and consultation…
Project as part of the third phase of the Sungei shows the government’s commitment to preserving
Buloh Wetland Reserve Masterplan announced in this place as a nature area for the public to enjoy,
2008. Tuan Wah said that Kranji Marshes shows the which is a good thing. The enhancement they’ve
government’s commitment to conserve green spaces done…will definitely bring a larger variety of wildlife,
with rich biodiversity, despite being a dense city. birdlife especially, to the area,” Hua Chew said at the
“I think in terms of biodiversity, it is important opening of the nature area.
to have a variety and network of different habitats
complementing and supporting each other to form
Information on guided tours is available at NParks’ and
a rich and complex whole, otherwise, fragmented the Nature Society of Singapore’s websites.
parks and greens are generally weaker and have less
biodiversity on their own,” Chu Hwai says about the Watch the marshes being restored at
importance of wetlands in Singapore’s urban fabric. youtube.com/URASingapore.

09
Keeping Marina Bay cool
Deep below the iconic Marina Bay lies the world’s largest district cooling
system. We discover the cool factors behind this engineering feat.

Writer Justin Zhuang Photographer Louis Kwok

Drivers whizzing by Bayfront Avenue would most

likely miss it. Standing next to the towering Marina
Bay Sands hotel is a boxy structure that could well
be a mirage. Shimmering in the sunlight is a curtain
of aluminium flappers seemingly dancing with the
wind – a mesmerising sight that camouflages the
cooling tower of the world’s deepest district cooling
system in plain sight.
Underneath this tower wrapped in a screen by
the artist Ned Kahn is a plant that produces chilled
water, which is five storeys and extends to 25m deep.
The only other sign of this round-the-clock operation
is a silver-on-silver sign of the “Singapore District
Cooling Pte Ltd” tucked underneath Bayfront Avenue.
Located just steps away from the Helix Bridge and
the ArtScience Museum, this rectangular plaque
points towards an off-white door: the entrance to the
underground facility that keeps Singapore’s business
district cool in its tropical climate.

Quality spaces above

Traditionally, buildings have their own chillers and
cooling towers on-site. But a district cooling system
centralises them into an urban utility instead. The one
at Marina Bay Sands is the second plant, the first one
being at the One Raffles Quay development. They are
connected together by a five kilometres network of
pipes that pump cold water into the air-conditioning
systems of buildings in the precinct, while receiving
their warm water in return – a first in Singapore. Every
hour, some 12,000 cubic metres of water chilled to
4.5 degrees celsius circulates around the network,
just like the cars driving up and down Bayfront
Avenue above.
Even as this cooling system brings the
temperature down a notch in buildings such as the
Marina Bay Financial Centre and Gardens by the Bay,
it has also raised the district’s cool factor by freeing
up space above ground for more quality and vibrant
urban environments. It allows developers to achieve
better building design and enhanced urbanscape
without the need for cooling towers on rooftops,

10
giving all developments in Marina Bay the freedom
to use their rooftops for other uses. For example,
Marina Bay Sands has turned its rooftop into an
iconic space with an observation deck, an infinity
pool and restaurants and bars serving up stunning
views of the Singapore skyline.

Staying cool with less

What has also come down for building owners
of Marina Bay is their energy costs. A centralised
system means they do not have to pay upfront for
their own chillers, but instead subscribe to a network
designed and managed by the Singapore District
Cooling Pte Ltd (SDC). According to this subsidiary of
Singapore Power, its customers enjoy energy savings
of more than 40 percent, an amount which can power
about 24,000 three-room HDB units a year.
The key to this is the plants’ thermal storage
systems. Underneath Bayfront Avenue and Marina
Bay Sands are six concrete ice tanks each towering
20 metres high, stretching 10 metres wide and 12
metres deep. Holding almost 15,000 cubic metres
of water (equivalent to three and a half Olympic
size swimming pools), these tanks act like “giant
batteries” that allow the system to cool buildings
with fewer chillers that run on electricity. Instead,
SDC produces and stores chilled water during the
non-peak hours such as at night when electricity
usage and tariff rates are lower and discharges them
to the buildings as and when required. In the event of
an electricity outage, the tank even has the capacity
to keep a large office building cool for 10 hours.

A uniquely Singapore solution for the world

URA had identified district cooling as one of
the several utilities, including electricity, water and
telecommunications services that could be housed
in a comprehensive common services tunnel for
Marina Bay. The tunnel is a significant piece of
infrastructure that planners have envisioned in the
1990s and catered for in their systematic mapping
of underground space in Marina Bay. A first in South
East Asia, the tunnel demonstrates how locating
suitable uses underground can improve operating
and environmental efficiency and free up land for a
more vibrant environment above ground.
“We were venturing into new territory and it
was a huge plunge into the unknown, particularly
given the massive scale of this undertaking,” said
National Development Minister Lawrence Wong at
a ceremony in March 2016 to officially commission
the district cooling system’s operations. “If left to
the market, this project would never have taken off.”
To “de-risk” this project, the government took on
an active role to formulate policies even before the
system was laid. For instance, in 1998, the Energy
Market Authority as the regulator for the DCS
demarcated a 1.25 million square metres zone in
the district for this pilot project. Within it, the agency

11
made it mandatory for new developments within
the pilot zone to take up the supply of chilled water.
These laid the ground for Singapore’s first district
cooling plant to be built at One Raffles Quay, which Marina Bay District
Cooling System
commenced operations in 2006 under the SDC,
a homegrown venture established to implement
this system.
Since then, the district cooling system in Marina
Bay has steadily expanded its total capacity to 217 District cooling is the centralised production of chilled water that is
megawatts — the largest such underground DCS piped to buildings for air-conditioning. As a communal utility, it services
system in the world. It now serves many customers, buildings close to one another within a district.
three of which are One Marina Boulevard, Gardens Marina Bay’s district cooling system comprises three plants producing
By The Bay and Ocean Financial Centre, who chose chilled water, which is subsequently piped to buildings in the network to
to use the system even though it was not mandatory feed into their air-conditioning systems. Warm water is then returned to
for them to do so, seeing the benefits of the system. be re-chilled and redistributed.
Most recently, it also signed on Marina One at
its commissioning ceremony, adding another 60
megawatts of chilled water capacity and increasing Number of plants and capacity

3 plants
its overall capacity by a third. The upcoming
Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre will also be
tapping on the DCS supply. In addition, Singapore
with a total installed capacity of
Power has taken its newfound capabilities overseas
to Chongqing, China, where it is currently designing 217MW
and building a similar system that it would eventually
operate too.
With the success of Singapore’s first district Depth

20–25 metres
cooling system, a similar one is now being explored
for Jurong Lake District, the city’s next central
business hub. An underground masterplan is also
being developed to explore how Singapore can best (around five basement levels)
utilise underground spaces for storage, utilities and
infrastructure. Some examples that have started
Network
are the Jurong Rock Cavern and the Deep Tunnel
Sewerage System.
Looking back on this decades-long journey to
introduce district cooling to the city, Minister Wong
5 km
pair of pipelines servicing the network
attributed its fruition to the “uniquely Singaporean
way” of a good public-private partnership. The result
is an engineering feat that has not only improved the Area under service

1.7m sqm GFA

lives of Singaporeans, but also become a solution
that can be exported to the world.
“It’s an illustration of how we all come together
to achieve something quite incredible,” he explained. across over a dozen buildings in the
“This is an excellent example of what our Singapore Marina Bay district
story is about.”

Key facts
• The Marina Bay system is the world’s largest* fully
underground district cooling network, and among
the world’s largest in terms of cooling capacity
• The world’s largest dual evaporator chiller was
developed for SDC
• Zero safety incidents since the start of operations
in 2006

* SOURCE: BENCHMARKING OF THE SINGAPORE DISTRICT COOLING

NETWORK, 2014, FINAL REPORT

12
District Cooling System Customers

Marina Bay Sands

Integrated Resort

Ocean Financial Centre

Satellite Plant at
One Marina Boulevard Plant No. 2 at
Marina Bay Sands

Bayfront MRT
The Sail @ Marina Bay
One Raffles Quay

Marina Bay City Gallery Gardens by the Bay

Plant No. 1 at
One Raffles Quay
Marina Bay
Financial Centre

Downtown MRT

Asia Square Marina One

(under construction)

District Cooling Network Facilities

Key Benefits

Design Acoustics Reliability

Preserves the Marina Bay Concealed acoustics through Offers 99.99% reliability,
landscape through innovative design features like ultra-low noise with multiple back-up
concealment of cooling towers fans and water landscape features systems

Cost savings Asset efficiency Space savings Support availability

Reduces overhead costs, Centralisation means less Saves on premium 24/7 engineering and
as much as 42% in energy chilling equipment is used commercial space and technical support
savings and total costs more intensively, compared allows more design
to individual buildings flexibility, by negating
Eliminates upfront investment running separate equipment need for in-building
costs in on-premise chillers at lower intensity chilling equipment

13
 Towards a car-lite Singapore
A car-lite Singapore isn’t just about adding a cyclist path or removing cars from roads –
Ruthe Kee reflects on how it’s about a Singapore for everyone and our future generations.

Writer Ruthe Kee Photographer Chee Boon Pin

With all that Singapore has been doing thus far, And PM Lee has Singapore’s past 24 years to
it’s not hard to ride on the momentum towards a prove we are prepared for such a time as this: our
car-lite Singapore. park connector network just reached 300 km last
On a recent work trip to Mumbai, I noticed how September. At a time when cities like Hamburg are
apt its “Maximum City” moniker was. Nothing was just starting plans to create networks of connected
less than maximum about it, whether tastes of food, green corridors, we are certainly riding on the coat
colours of the streets or the kindness of its people, tails of good policies such as this, the ERP and COE
and the same could be said of its roads – almost systems set in motion from before our generation.
every tarmac surface had a vehicle on it. While we have much to be thankful for in the past
It is not a stretch to say that Singapore could well 50 years, Singapore cannot simply remain at status
be on the road (pun unintended) towards this same quo. It bears noting that 12 percent of Singapore’s
maxing out of road space. land area has already been taken up by roads, in
comparison to the 14 percent occupied by housing.
On the road to car-lite “We have to rely less on cars,” PM Lee said at the
Fortunately, the Land Transport Authority’s Clean & Green Singapore launch, “…we cannot keep
statistics show a 0.7 percent decline in Singapore’s on building roads – more roads for more cars.”
car population from 2013 to 2014, the first downward
trend in more than a decade. Good news, given Singapore’s first Car-Free Sunday
Singapore’s recent emphasis on becoming a car-lite Singapore held her first Car-Free Sunday on
city, alike other major cities in the world. 28 February 2016, where thousands of participants
And a few, like Copenhagen, have already cycled, skated and jogged in the Civic District and
succeeded. Central Business District.
In the 1960s, the poster child of car-lite cities saw Happening every last Sunday of the month for a
dense traffic, car parks, pollution, congestion and trial period of up till end July 2016, Car-Free Sunday SG
traffic accidents just like any other modern city after has about 5 km of roads closed to vehicles, including
World War II. But the 1970s energy crisis pushed Connaught Drive, Fullerton Road, St Andrew’s
Copenhagen to introduce car-free Sundays and later, Road, Stamford Road and Esplanade Drive. Before
to designate a cycling track on its main roads. this, planners piloted carfree zones on a smaller
However, many have long argued that the success scale with the first temporary road closure at Club
of Copenhagen cannot be replicated in Singapore, Street and Ann Siang Road in 2013. With positive
citing our tropical climate as the top deterrent. reception, other areas like Circular Road, Kampong
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Glam, Little India and most recently Liang Seah
begs to differ. Street along Beach Road have also enjoyed road
“I visited Copenhagen … for the Climate Change closures with activities.
Conference … in December 2009 [when] it gets But what do Singaporeans think about
dark at about 3 o’clock in the afternoon and at night Car-Free Sunday and the larger move towards a
at 7 o’clock it is dark, snowing, below freezing and car-lite Singapore?
people are going around, going about their business
riding bicycles, wrapped up warmly but cycling on the A “more democratic” transport system
roads. It is just their way of life. So if the Danes can do Noel Tan, 46, was present at the inaugural event
that in winter, I think we can do that in the tropics.” with his daughter Edna, 10 and son Ezra, 8, as a show
– Clean & Green Singapore launch, November 2015 of support for the move towards a car-lite Singapore,

14
15
16
which the father of three believes will make the “I will be welcoming my grandson next month, so
transport system “more democratic”. it’s very important to me that we give [our children] an
“People should have a choice how they want environment that is better than when we found it.”
to go about [commuting]. For reasons of choice or To the grandfather-to-be, one way to keep the
economics, [they] may not want to own a car and Earth green is by using the car less and personal
[Singapore] should be able to provide a space … to mobility devices (PMDs) more.
exercise your choice.” “I go everywhere now using a combination of
Noel’s 10-year-old daughter, Edna, has just picked bus–PMD [personal mobility device]; MRT–PMD and
up cycling last year. it works just fine.”
“I love cycling because it’s very fun, you can go “I live near an MRT station, but not near enough
fast and slow at times, and you can choose where you for me to walk comfortably in this very hot tropical
want to go. And because there are park connectors, climate of ours. So with this [PMD], I can use the back
you can go wherever you want from anywhere road and pavement and be at the station in 3 minutes.
in Singapore.” And then I take the train to the station right next to my
The little girl’s favourite part about Car-Free office. [This] makes for a very, very nice commute…
Sunday, however, was not cycling. “The bouncy and it’s very green! I don’t have to use my car, which
castle!” she grinned. is very extravagant, because it’s just one car to
As for cycling on the car-free road, the primary transport one person.”
four student said it was “an exciting first time” These days, Wai Pong hardly drives on weekdays,
and that she would like to cycle on roads again only on weekends, and even then, he parks a distance
in future, albeit with uncertainty as she finds it away from his destination. “It’s good to park the car
dangerous sometimes. further away and commute, and finish the last mile
However, Edna has a suggestion for improving using a PMD; that leads to less congestion within
road safety: “[we can] have a cycling path on the the city.”
road that no cars can go on.” When asked if she has
anything to say to the people who can make this “Singaporeans have the spirit to share.”
possible, the little girl smiles sweetly and quips, A member of the biking group Brommie Owls,
“thank you!” Felipe Ong, 50, and his group of friends came
While we do not have any cycling lanes on the together because of their enthusiasm over the
road right now, it is not impossible to start small foldable Brompton bicycle.
by thinking about the small ways we can change To him, the first Car-Free Sunday was a
our lifestyles to contribute towards change for our pleasant experience:
future generation. “I was expecting a major jam, but the road is big
Lee Wai Pong, 59, an electric scooter aficionado, enough for everybody. It’s nice to be able to ride
feels the same way about bequeathing a greener nonstop, without traffic lights, and everybody is
Earth to the next generation. sharing the road, so I don’t see any major congestion

17
 between the cyclists, the skateboarders, [etc.,]… it’s Where do the cyclists go?
just a matter of sharing. I think Singaporeans have the Some have been against the idea of allowing
spirit to do that.” cyclists on the footpaths. At the same time, there
Singaporeans may have the spirit to share, are drivers who are against the idea of cyclists on
but until they have experienced the joy of going the road.
car-free for themselves, it is easy to shrug the car-lite In both instances, the cyclists are cited
movement off as just another passing fad. as hazardous.
My neighbourhood Tampines was the first
Into the heartlands town to be developed as a cycling town. Strangely,
One way to do so is to bring Car-Free Sunday to when designated cycling paths appeared alongside
the heartlands, away from the central district that footpaths, the cyclist’s path did not necessarily
some may not wish to travel to on a weekend. become easier to navigate. As a cyclist myself, I
Han Jok Kwang, 62, feels that “if the activities often found myself frantically ringing the bell while
are brought to their doorstep, especially the swerving through a maze of pedestrians… on the
heartlanders, then they don’t have to travel so cycling path.
much… it becomes an extension of their Sunday; Cyclists are also not without fault: in the two
they [can] just step out of their house and then years that Tampines has become a cycling town, I
participate in something that’s very close to their have also almost never seen a cyclist dismount his/
neighbourhood.” her bicycle at the areas where “dismount and push”
In this way, the cycling enthusiast believes signs are.
“people who live on different parts of the island will These are accidents waiting to happen, and
become familiar [with car-free zones].” unless we as pedestrians, drivers, cyclists, scoot-
Jok Kwang was also donning a cardboard car as ees, inline skaters, etc. become more attuned to
part of his getup for the special occasion. The outfit sharing our walkways and roadways, no number of
touted various benefits of going car-free, including designated cycling lanes or car-free zones is going to
“No COE”, “No ERP” and “No Pollution”. make a difference.
But to the Car-Fee Sunday sponsor, the most As a country that has come far in becoming
special of these catchphrases had to be “2 Wheels car-lite, all we need now is an understanding
are Better than 4” when he met Yip Pin Xiu, between the various groups of commuters.
Singapore’s golden girl, at the National Gallery The Minister for National Development,
grandstand. Lawrence Wong, has this to say: “Once people get
“[She] asked if they can take a picture with me; used to the idea that closing off roads is not just
and she was on two – we must remember that she’s preventing cars from using the roads but creating
on two wheels – so I turned around … and she took a more public spaces for Singaporeans and for people
photo in her wheelchair with this sign that reads ‘two to enjoy, they see the positive side of it. I hope it will
wheels is better than four wheels’ … I hope I made a bring about a change of mindset that being car-lite
little bit of her day. I felt very touched.” is not just a negative thing. It’s not just reducing
Pin Xiu, 24 may be on two wheels but that has car usage, but it’s a positive thing – we are gaining
not stopped her from breaking a world record for the something from it.”
women’s 50m backstroke, and winning five other gold Before we arrive at car-lite, let’s start by making
medals at the ASEAN Para Games last December. the effort to be more considerate in our day-to-day
The SMU final year student is also positive that lives. That way, even if there is no cycling path when
with more car-free zones, “our society is becoming a little Edna grows up, she would have inherited a city
bit less selfish; it is becoming more open to ideas … that is friendly for all commuters, graciously shared
it’s nice to see Singapore becoming more inclusive between all.
and progressive.”

Regulations on personal mobility devices (PMD) Curious how you can do your part for a car-lite Singapore?
Interestingly, a wheelchair is listed as a PMD Start by going for Car-Free Sunday SG on the last
under Singapore’s Road Traffic Order. With the rise Sunday of the month in the Civic District and parts
of PMDs as an alternative mode of transport, the of the Central Business District.
Ministry of Transport is looking into regulating use of
PMDs under a code of conduct to keep all road and Visit ura.sg/carfreesundaysg for the latest updates
pavement users safe. and activities.
Just last week, the Active Mobility Advisory Panel
submitted its recommendations on the types of
PMDs to allow on footpaths, cycling paths and roads.

18
What does it take to
keep a place alive?
Local and UK experts discuss the important role of place management and
the potential of the business improvement district model for Singapore.

Writers Cassandra Yeap and Serene Tng

Sometimes when you enter a particular place, a passionate about their own districts that they have
neighbourhood, a district, there is a special quality come together to turn these into destinations for both
about it. There is a sense of buzz and excitement. locals and tourists. This is place management – a
There is great comfort and enjoyment when you coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach to improve
walk through the streets. You find a wide variety precincts and make them more attractive with each
of engaging and memorable activities. You feel so having their own unique characteristics.
welcome you want to reach out to a stranger or a Think about Marina Bay, Singapore River or
friend. You come away enriched and inspired. And Little India and Chinatown. Over the past few years,
vow to visit the place again. planners have placed a stronger emphasis on place
Behind every successful place is a team of many management as the more sustainable approach to
individuals from different walks of life who feel so continue to retain and attract interest in Singapore as

PHOTO CREDIT: JIMMY SIM 19

 a key destination and to keep locals engaged in their providing something for everybody, only because,
own neighbourhoods too. and only when they are created by everybody.” An
Place management in Singapore today is evolution in thinking and evidence now suggests a
undertaken by stakeholders based on a voluntary more holistic ‘place-led’ approach bringing together
model while other cities have seen their precincts a range of disciplines including marketing and culture
forming associations with the support of legislation leads to more successful destinations for both
known as the business improvement district (BID), investors and users. With the creation of a place, it
where all stakeholders in the precinct contribute to ensures it is sustained in a way that it continues to
sustain place management efforts if majority vote provide the best and right environment for its varied
positively to make their precinct a BID. users to prosper creatively, economically, culturally
We catch up with three experts to find out what and as a community.
it takes to make a place successful and the potential
of Singapore adopting a BID model – Mo Aswat, Wilson: Places are only as good as the people living,
founder and director of The Mosaic Partnership, an working and playing in it. As a ground up initiative,
international consultancy firm for place management, stakeholders in the precinct decides and carries
Richard Guiney, chief executive officer of We Are out what is agreed to be beneficial for the precinct.
Dublin Town, a BID in Dublin, Ireland and Wilson Tan, It is a concept that fosters community solidarity as
chairman of Singapore River One. stakeholders come together as one. It instils a sense
of ownership for the place as stakeholders start
Why is place management important for cities? thinking beyond themselves. It confers power as the
Richard: All cities compete with other destinations collective voice of stakeholders can be better heard
whether they are other cities or out of town in negotiations with public and private organisations.
shopping malls. Without managing our town Only with ownership and responsibility, can there
centres professionally, marketing them and making be sustainability.
destinations of choice, our town centres will fade, Resources are limited! The best people who
find it more difficult to maintain a solid customer base will understand the needs of a precinct are the very
or businesses may find it challenging to prosper. The people who operate within it. The precinct can
success of our town centres not only drives their develop and grow at a more efficient rate; public
vibrancy and business fortunes but is also essential services are able to concentrate their support in
in attracting inward investment. Global capital is areas where it matters most; making it a useful
very mobile. When considering where to invest in, concept for cities, like Singapore.
multi-national corporations will consider the quality
of life a location can offer for its employees. Place What are the roles of businesses, stakeholders
management is vitally important in creating town and citizens in place management?
centres that provide that essential quality of life. Mo: Businesses provide the investment, vibrancy
and opportunity that allow a place to boost variety,
Mo: Jane Jacobs, in The Death and Life of Great offer, employment and innovation. Stakeholders like
American Cities said, “cities have the capability of the public sector, museums, theatres and cultural

ABOVE (FROM LEFT) RICHARD GUINEY, MO ASWAT AND WILSON TAN

BELIEVE PLACE-MAKING DRIVES THE HEARTBEAT OF MEMORABLE SPACES.
20 PHOTO CREDIT (RIGHT): SINGAPORE RIVER ONE
organisations can create something comforting and every five years to continue, nine out of 10 BIDs are
unique about a place through policies, activities and renewed in areas like New West End covering Oxford
creativity. Citizens will want a ‘heart’ or a ‘focal point’ Street, Regent Street and Bond Street now in their
for the community where they can enjoy a variety third term and raising £25m.
of things from working, shopping to just meeting
a friend. The success of a place is determined by DublinTown as the first BID in Ireland from
how well the citizens are invested in it and use it in 2008, implemented a range of initiatives from
its many forms. It is essential that those practising creating a memorable brand, to addressing
place management understand this and find ways to critical issues of public safety, actively engaging
connect and reflect these diverse aspirations. citizens and creating distinctive districts.
What has worked well?
What are key factors that will make a Richard: Communication is key. It is a two way
place successful? process. We need to listen to citizens, members and
Mo: Policies – The right ones are important and stakeholders. Ultimately, we need to understand
will always help. We have to be at the forefront of the needs of the local population not only as
developing and influencing these. Projects – Making citizens but customers for the city’s businesses.
sure that the right ones are carried out and have a It is their preferences which will shape how place
connection with the users of a place. People – The management policies develop. Another key issue
right ones are essential to the success of a place for BID managers is to understand that they will not
and they can make or break things. You need a achieve universal support and should not become
combination of visionaries, strategists and doers. disillusioned when some people don’t say ‘thank you’.
Performance – Making sure that what you do makes The BID team need to keep focused on what it sets
a real difference. Partnerships – The need to involve out to do and make sure that the points contained in
the right organisations, the ones that are truly the business plan are delivered for the betterment of
invested in a place in its many forms and may not the business community and the citizens of the city.
always be the ones that agree with you. Passion – The BID team also needs to be flexible and willing
A passion for this work and the place where you live, to change and adapt plans to meet changing needs
work or play. of both members and the city, trying out untested
solutions to establish what works best.
Tell us more about the business improvement
district (BID). How has the city changed in the last seven years
Mo: BIDs are a concept that allows businesses to as a result of DublinTown’s efforts?
get together, decide what additonal improvements Richard: The public themselves through surveys
they want to make to their environment, how they are have indicated that they feel a significant
going to manage and deliver those and how much improvement in the city over the past five years in
they are prepared to pay towards it. Put together in spite of difficult economic times which we have come
a formal and detailed business plan, it will be voted through. We have seen a steady rise in footfall in the
on in an independent ballot by those who have to city since 2011 and vacancy rates have tumbled by
pay. If the majority vote yes, then everybody pays 40 percent in the same period. We now have a clear
a mandatory levy for a prescribed amount of time, understanding of what people expect from the city
usually five years. It has been a successful model and clear district messages and brand promises that
applied in many countries, with over 1,500 BIDS in deliver on the experiences being sought after. We have
North America, over 250 in Europe and in places addressed perceptions of public safety that seemed
such as South Africa. intractable and are achieving results in this regard.
The key behind its success is the ability for places
to tailor their own solutions to meet the aspirations We have initiated place management efforts in
and challenges it has. This is combined with a truly districts like the Singapore River and Marina Bay.
independent delivery set up that gives them real Can BID work for such areas?
control and responsibility. The process is not for the Mo: The place management efforts in Singapore
fainthearted though, as setting up a BID is hard work River and Marina Bay follow the same pattern we
with the unenviable task of persuading people that it have seen worldwide. They carry out great work with
is just not another ‘tax’ or ‘cost; and that they truly will limited resources and membership. Over time, the
get a return. enthusiasm and hard work of those few volunteers
Almost every place that has developed a BID that do all the work combined with the limited
continues with it as there are demonstrable and resources takes it toll. There is an expectation in
tangible successes in places from New York and time that there must be a fair, more egalitarian and
London to small business parks and communities. sustainable way to do this. Combined with this is
In the UK where BIDs have to obtain a new vote the resources that are at the disposal of managed

21
 estates and the very competitive and compelling offer organisation. To the landlords, it is a way to increase
from other platforms such as the Internet. This rightly capital value, makes the place more desirable and
leads to an analysis of whether this can be done strengthen partnerships with authorities.
more effectively and I think this is the place where With a well-educated population like Singapore,
Singapore is at now, not only on Singapore River or it is good to involve stakeholders, giving them a
Marina Bay but also for its other precincts. better sense of place and ownership. To have a say
in their well-being and to drive the desired economic
So would this be a good time to introduce growth. Since 2012, SRO has been playing the role
BID to Singapore? of Place Manager along Singapore River. Although
Wilson: Moving into a BID and adopting a ground up membership is voluntary, there has been good
approach is beneficial in many ways. For example, to response from the businesses to take it up and play
businesses, it has the potential to increase footfall, a proactive role in the future of the precinct. The
giving a united voice to the business community results of what SRO has accomplished over the
and cost savings potential from bulk buying. It is a years are visible, therefore, it might be a good time to
system that discourages ‘freeloading’, since it will be garner more support and move into a BID model.
a mandate for everyone to pay a levy towards the BID

Up close with Singapore River One (SRO)

SRO as the place manager of Singapore River is dedicated to implement
projects and initiatives as set out in its five year business plan.

The organisation engages stakeholders, the public and private sectors that are invested
understands the needs and wants of stakeholders, back to benefit stakeholders and ensure long-
facilitates collaboration and consensus among the term viability and success. In 2015, SRO secured
diverse mix of stakeholders along the River. private sponsorships for the Singapore River
For example, Singapore River One gathered Festival, which drew more than 100,000 visitors
feedback from the businesses to pedestrianise to the three-day event where the three quays
Circular Road to enhance the area. It then were celebrated as one river.
coordinated with agencies to successfully get SRO chairman Wilson Tan was awarded the
the car-free zone off the ground. Place Champion Award in 2015 for his proactive
SRO also leverages on resources from both efforts in shaping the Singapore River precinct.

22 PHOTO CREDIT: SINGAPORE RIVER ONE

Documenting
Little India’s charm
Meandering about this timeless enclave reveals stories
and personalities that are surprising and always colourful.

Writer Sarah Liu Photographer Wilson Pang

The street scenes of Serangoon Road’s ‘Little India’ It is this organic character that a troop of around
are arresting. Compared to other orderly, uniform 50 young photographers, aged between 15 and 20,
spaces in Singapore, the arterial stretch leads to hope to capture under the mentorship of experienced
multiple places; at once varying, unpredictable and professionals such as photographer Darren Soh,
colourful. Jevon Liew, URA’s executive planner for as they embark from March 2016 on a year-long
the Little India conservation area, shares that in his documentation project of Serangoon Road supported
work of protecting the key architectural features of by URA and the National Youth Achievement Award.
the many heritage buildings, and of ensuring the Photographer Wilson Pang takes a precursory ramble
urban scale is kept to, there is a fine art to balancing to see what treasures the area may hold.
planning order and innate spontaneity.
“Little India’s charm is the organic nature of the
place. How it adapts, how the different communities
find their spaces,” said Jevon.

23
 ABOVE (TOP) 48-YEAR-OLD GARLAND MAKER CHANDRAN FACES INCREASING COMPETITION FROM OTHER FLOWER SHOPS POPPING UP. IN HIS SHOP SPACE WITHIN
THE CONSERVED AND COLOURFUL RESIDENCE OF TAN TENG NIAH, HE CONSIDERS HIMSELF LUCKY TO HAVE CONTRACTUAL ORDERS FROM THREE SURROUNDING
TEMPLES. “MY DAUGHTER’S COLLEAGUE TELLS ME THAT THE CHINESE WORDS ON THIS DOOR MEAN BRIGHTNESS, LUCK AND HEALTH.”
ABOVE (BOTTOM) THE OWNER OF SAJEEV DIGITAL STUDIO, K SAJEEV LAJ, PROVIDES THE UNUSUAL SERVICE OF TAKING PORTRAITS FOR INDIAN MIGRANT WORKERS
SEEKING BRIDES BACK HOME. WHEN SOME OF THEM GET MARRIED, THEY RETURN WITH THEIR WIVES, HE EXPLAINS. “WHEN THEY BRING THEM HERE, THEY TELL THEIR
24 WIVES, ‘HE’S THE ONE WHO TOOK MY PHOTO!’” “SEE THAT PHOTO THERE? BOTH SO HAPPY,” SHEEJA, SAJEEV’S WIFE, CHIMES IN, POINTING TO A SET OF LOVEBIRDS.
ABOVE (TOP RIGHT) CHANDRAN’S HANDS ARE SLIGHTLY SCABBY, SOME PARTS OF THE SKIN PEELING OFF. THE REASON? “ALLERGY. WHEN WE TIE GARLANDS,
THIS YELLOW MARIGOLD FROM THAILAND HAS CHEMICALS THAT GO INTO OUR HANDS. ONLY THE FERTILISED YELLOW MARIGOLD GOT THIS PROBLEM.”
ABOVE (BOTTOM) BENT OVER PILES AND PILES OF FRESH BANANA LEAVES, AN ELDERLY AUNTY TELLS US THAT SHE’S BEEN SELLING THESE MALAYSIAN
IMPORTS FOR OVER 30 YEARS. “ONE PIECE, 20 CENTS. MOSTLY MALAY PEOPLE BUY TO SELL NASI LEMAK,” SHE SAYS OF HER REGULAR CLIENTELE. 25
 Imagining streets without cars
Where others see road closures, they see opportunity.

Writer Adora Wong

With the aim of transforming our streets into the Streets For People programme and managed
enjoyable public spaces, the URA last year launched to close the road at Jalan Pisang for the event in
Streets for People, a programme that seeks to offer March 2016. We collaborated with Samantha Lo for
support and access for ground-up activities at an event called Barter Market, a collective effort by
road closures. local makers, craftsmen, artists, musicians and other
And with more and more car-free zones hitting skilled individuals.
our island city as we aspire to a ‘car-lite’ society, a Our social initiative explores a scenario where
new breed of dynamic champions are paving the way. money has been taken out of transactions and
These individuals from different walks of life deftly attendees and vendors exchange their goods and
take advantage of these spaces and align them with services. Based on the concept of sustainability, the
their passions, making them their own in their unique Barter Market seeks to encourage a more human
way. We speak to three champions on how they bonding experience as well as a possibility of an
have transformed streets into vibrant public spaces organically progressive society, one that recognises
without cars. and supports each other regardless of background.

Ejan A Rahman What are some of your upcoming plans?

Director, We Experiment We are planning to close the road on Jalan Pisang
every quarter so that we may have more of these
What is The Lab SG? events. We will collaborate with more independent
The Lab SG is a Halal cafe under the umbrella of We local organisers to push the sub-culture scene in
Experiment Pte Ltd, which is run by myself and my Singapore – from the locals, for the locals.
husband, Luke, for the love of great food, good coffee
and good vibes. Our Slogan is “We Experiment”; we
strive to create quirky food and beverage items.
Cai Yinzhou
What are you guys passionate about? Founder, Geylang Adventures
Besides the Lab SG cafe, Luke and I have started
a movement called MCMMCMM (Macam Macam What does Geylang Adventures do?
Movement). Macam Macam means “everything and We strive to debunk stereotypes about Geylang
anything” in Malay. This movement was created by and create learning journeys and educational
us to support everything and anything related to local programmes for different organisations to find out
independent subculture. more about the community.
I love seeing people come together to support
underground local music, exhibitions and gigs. This How has the initiative made use of public spaces
is my reason for starting the movement. I want to under Streets for People?
continue the subculture scene in Singapore for future We try to make meaningful use of the back alley
generations, and create a go-to event for them to space in Geylang. One that we were involved in
experience and support local independent talent like December 2015 even had an art studio and food truck
how I used to in the past. on site and they were all so that we could share with
the community. The event was open to anyone and
How has the establishment been involved with everyone, and more than 70 migrant workers had
Streets For People? come to mingle with Singaporeans.
So far, we have worked very closely with URA under

26
ABOVE ADVOCATES OF ACTIVATED STREETS HELD A BARTER MARKET (TOP LEFT) AND COMMUNITY ART
EVENT (BOTTOM) AT JALAN PISANG AND GEYLANG RESPECTIVELY RECENTLY. MEANWHILE, BLANK WALLS
AT SIGLAP SECONDARY SCHOOL WERE JAZZED UP BY THE BAND OF DOODLERS (TOP RIGHT).
PHOTO CREDIT: THE LAB (TOP LEFT), WANTON DOODLE (TOP RIGHT) 27
 Mas Shafreen complain! What we as Band Of Doodlers (a group
Illustrator, Wanton Doodle I started) do too is encourage co-creation and
interaction with the community through art. For
Who is Wanton Doodle? example, we leave empty spaces such as speech
I’m a corporate cog by day, illustrator by night, with bubbles in some doodles, inviting the public to
the dark eye circles to prove it. My illustrations are participate and get emotionally connected to the
inspired by doodles borne out of sheer boredom, art. There’s that community-centric element that
the desire to stay awake during meetings and the ultimately promotes active citizenry as more feel
compulsion to expend office supplies. inspired to step up and express themselves.

How have you been involved in car-free zones in What are some of your upcoming plans?
the past? We hope to rob all white spaces by transforming
We were involved in the SHINE Youthfest where there them to doodle-filled co-creative art.
were road closures at Orchard Road and we got to
doodle over remixed photos on a long showcase.
URA last year launched Streets for People, a programme
How do you think initiatives like Streets For People that supports community-initiated projects that transform
help create a culture? streets into meaningful temporary car-free public spaces.
We call ourselves white space bandits, as we take Many communities have come forward with innovative
over walls and transform them from something ideas and even held full-fledged street festivals, such as the
bland to fun. Likewise, I’m a strong advocate of highly popular Urban Ventures at Keong Saik road. Visit ura.
communities taking control of spaces from the sg/carfreezones for more information on the car-free zones
ground-up. If you want to do something, do it, don’t and how to set up your own.

28 PHOTO CREDIT: WANTON DOODLE

Activating spaces
through music
Writer Jeannie Quek

Meet Lee Yan Chang, a URA architect from local artists and designers who lend their creative
Conservation Management who not only handles talents to transform old pianos into art pieces,
conservation work, but goes a step further in everyday Singaporeans whose faces light up with a
activating spaces through music. smile when their friends play a tune, and musicians
Yan Chang and two other friends are the who now have a place to practise and perform.
founders of Play It Forward Singapore, an initiative With URA’s support, what began as a two-day
that provides opportunities for public piano playing. event became an initiative running over two months
While this is not uncommon overseas, it is possibly a in seven different locations in the city!
first for Singapore.
The trio seeks to promote the appreciation How has it been trying to bring music to
of piano ensemble music, offer opportunities for the public?
aspiring pianists to perform and the experience for At the start, the public needed some encouragement
the community to play the piano in collaboration to overcome their apprehension of playing music in
with others. public. Once we started to play, the public gradually
warmed up to the idea. We are happy to see complete
Tell us how you got started with strangers coming together and bonding over music.
Play It Forward SG We are also glad that our pianos are able to meet
Play It Forward Singapore is a homegrown public the needs of a diverse group of people, ranging from
piano movement that started in September 2015. We children who absolutely enjoy playing in public, to
know there are many like us who love to play, but for adults simply looking for a quiet place to play. When
various reasons have stopped doing so. There are the pianos were under the Esplanade Bridge, we
also many who do not have access to the instrument. found people playing them till the wee hours of the
Yet at the same time, hundreds of neglected pianos morning. There is even a music video that featured
are gathering dust in households across Singapore. our pianos!
So we thought, why not rescue these unwanted
instruments and share them with those who need it?
Track the latest locations of the pianos at
Our first display of pianos was at PARK(ing)
www.facebook.com/playitforwardsg
Day 2015. In bringing pianos to public spaces in
Singapore, urban spaces become social spaces for Play It Forward SG is an initiative under Our Favourite Place,
interaction and bonding. We have brought together a programme that supports community projects to enliven
ordinary folk who give away their pianos for a good public spaces to build community interactions and create
cause, the beneficiaries who can now regularly shared memories. Apply for support to activate public
experience the joy of music with the donated pianos, spaces in your neighbourhood at ura.sg/ourfaveplace.

ABOVE PLAY IT FORWARD SINGAPORE FOUNDERS (FROM LEFT) LEE YAN CHANG, JEAN HAIR
AND BILLY SOH SHARE A PASSION TO ACTIVATE PUBLIC SPACES BY MAKING PIANOS ACCESSIBLE
TO THE COMMUNITY, WITH PIANO MUSIC EASILY EXPERIENCED UP CLOSE AND LIVE. 29
At a glance
We check out the latest initiatives and ideas shaping
the landscapes and neighbourhoods around us.

Bringing light to shadows

i Light Marina Bay 2016 returned to dazzle the bay from 4 to 27 March 2016, with
more than half of the festival artworks designed by local artists and students
for the first time. Themed “In Praise of Shadows”, the festival invited visitors to
re-imagine the fundamentals, forms and roles of light and drew a record 740,000
visitors. The i Light Symposium 2016 also gathered thought leaders from various
fields and industries to provide insights and discussions on the topic of light, in
relation to the city and its people.

Buzzy streets
More street festivals are on their way! Previous
editions at Keong Saik Street and Maju Avenue are
making repeat appearances in their neighbourhoods,
as ground-up groups capitalise on the Streets for
People programme, which allows the public to
reclaim streets used by vehicles and turn them into
attractive public spaces. Check for the latest car-free
zones at ura.sg/carfreezones.

Explore local
Contemplate local identity through
the lenses of architecture and
design at the Singapore City
Gallery. The gallery hosted Sayang
Singapura, 28-year-old illustrator
Xin Li’s inaugural exhibition of
artwork inspired by growing up
in a changing Singapore, and
Homegrown: A Singaporean Design
Consciousness, MKPL Architects’
meditative 20th anniversary
exhibition over March to April. An
immersive multimedia display of the
President’s Design Award recipients
over the past decade, and All Lined
Up, a solo exhibition of line drawings
used to record our streetscapes,
come to the gallery in May.

30
 Heritage symposium
Insights on the best
practices in protecting,
restoring and reusing
heritage buildings were
shared by conservation
pioneers from France
and Singapore, as well as
current practitioners in the
region, at a symposium on
heritage and sustainable
urbanism in May. The
panellists include Mr Didier
Repellin, Chief Architect
and Inspector General of
Historic Monuments, who
assisted in early restoration
efforts of Armenian Street
shophouses, CHIJMES and
the Empress Place Building.

Car-Free Sunday
Every last Sunday of the month since February 2016, the Car-Free
Sunday SG pilot has seen cyclists, skaters, joggers, families and
more coming by to enjoy the closed roads and activities at the
Civic District. Whether it is yoga, museum tours, street-side food
stalls or sporting challenges, there is something for everyone at the
walkable and cyclist-friendly precinct. Find out more details for the
next edition at ura.sg/carfreesundaysg.

Inaugural Urban Planning Festival

Aspiring planners experienced and learned more about the
profession at the inaugural Urban Planning Festival organised by
URA in April. Pre-tertiary students were able to attend a Young
Planners’ Forum and Model Making Workshop, and find out about
educational options through a career information fair. The winning
entries from the annual CUBE for pre-tertiary students, held in 2015,
were exhibited at the Singapore City Gallery in May.

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“OUR SOCIETY IS BECOMING A
BIT LESS SELFISH; IT IS BECOMING
MORE OPEN TO IDEAS…IT’S
NICE TO SEE SINGAPORE
BECOMING MORE INCLUSIVE
AND PROGRESSIVE.” YIP PIN XIU,
PARA-SWIMMER, ABOUT THE FIRST
CAR-FREE SUNDAY SG.

PICTURED: CAR-FREE SUNDAY SG

PARTICIPANTS WORK OUT AT THE
LAWN FRONTING THE VICTORIA
THEATRE AND CONCERT HALL.