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Greening Experience from Overseas –<br />
<strong>Singapore</strong><br />
(Summary of seminar - 10 January 2012)<br />
Kathy Ng Head of Greening and Landscape Office, Development Bureau<br />
January 2012<br />
Copyright © Development Bureau, Hong Kong SAR Government All rights reserved
Content<br />
- Hong Kong and <strong>Singapore</strong><br />
basic facts<br />
<br />
- <strong>Singapore</strong>an experience
Hong Kong – <strong>Singapore</strong> – a comparison<br />
Geography<br />
Hong Kong<br />
• hilly/ mountainous, little flatland, ria coast<br />
• highest point 957m<br />
• 1100 km² - coastal flatland - by reclamation<br />
<strong>Singapore</strong><br />
• estuarine delta/ mouth of <strong>Singapore</strong> River<br />
• mostly flatland with some hills<br />
• highest point 166 m<br />
• land area grown by reclamation<br />
1960s - 580 km² today – around 700 km²
Hong Kong – <strong>Singapore</strong> – a comparison<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong><br />
Vegetation cover<br />
Hong Kong<br />
• over 70% countryside, 40%<br />
country park, over 90% of<br />
development in around 20% land<br />
<strong>Singapore</strong><br />
• 9% nature reserve<br />
• 1986 – 35.7% vs 2007 – 46.5%<br />
• Over 70 m 2 / person
Hong Kong – <strong>Singapore</strong> – a comparison<br />
Planning standard - Open space<br />
Hong Kong<br />
• 2 m 2 / person (urban areas –<br />
including Metro area and new<br />
towns)<br />
<strong>Singapore</strong><br />
• 8 m 2 / person<br />
Melbourne/ Christchurch<br />
• Over 10 times of <strong>Singapore</strong>’s
Hong Kong – <strong>Singapore</strong> – a comparison<br />
biodiversity<br />
Hong Kong<br />
• Transition zone between the tropics and<br />
temperate region<br />
• Rich diversity of flora and fauna<br />
• Over 3000 plant species<br />
<strong>Singapore</strong><br />
• In the Tropics<br />
• Rich diversity of flora and fauna<br />
• Over 2000 plant species
Two cities – a comparison<br />
Hong Kong<br />
• Spectacular terrain and hilly backdrop with skyscrapers and harbour<br />
<strong>Singapore</strong><br />
• Estuarine flatland with skyscrapers, river banks
Two cities – a comparison<br />
Population km² Density (Pop per km²)<br />
Hong Kong 7m 1,099 6,407<br />
<strong>Singapore</strong> 4.6 m 707 6,489<br />
Hong Kong<br />
• 95 % of population in < 20% of land<br />
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population_density<br />
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong
Two cities – a comparison<br />
GDP per capita<br />
(International Monetary Fund)<br />
Hong Kong US $31,514<br />
<strong>Singapore</strong> US $43,117<br />
Source:<br />
Figures in 2010<br />
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal)_per_capita
Two cities – a comparison<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong><br />
Legislative and administrative<br />
framework on greening<br />
Hong Kong<br />
• legislative framework on greening<br />
(refer tree related legislation)<br />
• Administrative framework on<br />
greening<br />
<strong>Singapore</strong><br />
• strong focus in building a Garden city<br />
since independence in 1965<br />
• strong legislative and administrative<br />
framework on greening for over 4<br />
decades
<strong>Singapore</strong> - Greening Experience<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong><br />
• Successful greening story<br />
• New trends
<strong>Singapore</strong>- Successful greening story<br />
Streetscape Transition<br />
NOW<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong><br />
40 years ago
<strong>Singapore</strong> - How green?<br />
Area under vegetation cover (km²)<br />
Class June 1986 June 1997 Aug 2007<br />
Total Vegetated Area 237.64 315.12 340.15<br />
Total Land Area 666.33 696.56 730.05<br />
% Area Vegetated 35.66% 45.24 % 46.59%<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong><br />
=1/4 HK island in 2 decades
1986<br />
<strong>Singapore</strong> - How green?<br />
36% Area Vegetated<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
2007<br />
<strong>Singapore</strong> - How green?<br />
47% Area Vegetated<br />
Net increase of 64 km² in less than 20 yrs<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
<strong>Singapore</strong> - Achievement<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong><br />
- From Garden city to<br />
City in a Garden<br />
- Greening- quality of<br />
environment ->Competitiveness<br />
- Emphasis on Quality<br />
<strong>No</strong>t only quantity of planting<br />
- Integrated approach
Successful Greening Experience<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong><br />
• Commitment and Leadership<br />
• Vision and Priority<br />
• Legislative and administrative<br />
framework<br />
• At all levels –<br />
strategic planning<br />
land use planning<br />
design<br />
maintenance
Commitment and Leadership<br />
- Building on a Legacy of 40 Years<br />
‘Greening … a big part of Nation Building’<br />
- strong leadership + steadfast commitment + adequate resources<br />
Garden City Action Committee<br />
- closely monitored by the Prime Minister<br />
- Greening –> upgrade to a world class city and attract talent<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Policy Commitment<br />
“Quality of Life is a decisive factor that can make a city more<br />
competitive in the global arena”.<br />
Mrs. Cheong Chua Koon Hean, CEO of the <strong>Singapore</strong> Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)<br />
and Deputy Secretary (Special Duties) Ministry of Development
Policy Commitment<br />
Greening<br />
- increases the value of<br />
development<br />
- must be in at the beginning of<br />
the planning process, not<br />
just decorative<br />
- needs perseverance and<br />
determination and people of<br />
the same mindset<br />
Mrs. Cheong Chua Koon Hean, CEO of the <strong>Singapore</strong> Urban Redevelopment Authority<br />
(URA) and Deputy Secretary (Special Duties) Ministry of Development<br />
July 2008
Vision and Priority<br />
Greening<br />
- Top priority in new CBD development<br />
Marina Bay – Greening/ Gardens by the Bay<br />
– a botanic garden of over 100 ha occupying prime<br />
coastal site comes first<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Vision and Priority<br />
Greening<br />
- come first in new CBD development<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Vision and Priority<br />
New CBD<br />
Greening<br />
- as the backbone of development<br />
Integration<br />
- Planning - greening provision - land<br />
sale - infrastructure (Common<br />
service tunnel + Fresh water<br />
reservoir) - transport- recreation -<br />
job opportunity
Legislative and Administrative Framework<br />
• Regulatory<br />
- (Parks & Trees Act, Planning Act)<br />
• Safeguard greenery provision<br />
• Comprehensive approach<br />
• Conservation efforts<br />
• Administrative System<br />
• Garden City Action Committee
National Parks Board <strong>Singapore</strong> (NParks)<br />
• Garden City Action<br />
Committee - operational arm<br />
• One authority - NParks<br />
Planning -> design<br />
-> implementation -> maintenance<br />
• regulates the provision of<br />
greenery in private and public<br />
developments<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
National Parks Board <strong>Singapore</strong> (NParks)<br />
• manages greenery and its related<br />
recreational services<br />
• responsible for nature<br />
conservation and associated<br />
research<br />
• 10 Member Board-appointed<br />
• 897 staff (2010/11)<br />
• Maintained over 10000 ha of<br />
vegetated area (around 14% of total<br />
area of <strong>Singapore</strong>)<br />
• Budget S$175M (HK$1032M in<br />
2010)
NParks Organisation<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
NParks Organisation<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
NParks Organisation<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Safeguard Greenery Provision<br />
Road Code (Planting Verges in Road Reserves)<br />
Road Buffer Setback (Physical & Green Buffer)<br />
Physical Buffer<br />
Green Buffer<br />
Physical Buffer<br />
Green Buffer<br />
Private Land Road Reserve<br />
Private Land<br />
Typical Cross-Section of Major Arterial<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Safeguard Roadside Greenery Provision<br />
Legislation (Parks and Trees Act) since 1970s<br />
- Protection of trees<br />
- Mandatory provision of green buffer &<br />
periphery planting verge in private lands<br />
- Mandatory provision of planting verge in<br />
public roads<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Road Code - Mandatory Roadside Greenery<br />
Road Codes - Land Transport Authority (LTA)<br />
- Tree Planting Areas are required in ALL classes<br />
of roads - expressways, major arterials & distributors,<br />
primary access roads and local access roads<br />
- standard cross-sections - required widths of<br />
planting areas
Road Code - Mandatory Roadside Greenery<br />
Examples:<br />
Road Codes <strong>No</strong>. 3 & 4<br />
for Major Arterials and Distributors<br />
Source: Land Transport Authority, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Safeguard Roadside Greenery Provision<br />
NParks - the central statutory approval body<br />
- set clear and concise submission guidelines<br />
- approve submissions from planning stage to<br />
implementation stage<br />
- enforcement power and power to impose penalty,<br />
offences, etc
Mandatory Greenery provision<br />
Approvals from NParks<br />
for private/ public developments from<br />
planning stage to implementation stage<br />
-- pedestrian footbridge, covered linkway<br />
-- housing development with open space provision<br />
-- external works, roads, promenades, pedestrian<br />
malls<br />
-- private / public building developments.<br />
-- Greening area around 30% of<br />
development
Guidelines on Private Green Buffer and Periphery<br />
Planting Provision<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Guidelines on Private Green Buffer and Periphery<br />
Planting Provision<br />
Guidelines on Private Green Buffer and<br />
Periphery Planting Provision<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
<strong>Singapore</strong> - Conservation Efforts<br />
• Tree Conservation<br />
Area<br />
• Heritage Road Scheme<br />
• Heritage Tree Scheme<br />
• Nature Conservation
<strong>Singapore</strong> -Tree Conservation Area<br />
• Protects mature trees trees<br />
girth > 1metre<br />
measured 0.5 metre above ground<br />
• Central and Changi<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
<strong>Singapore</strong> - Heritage Road Scheme<br />
Preserve “heritage character” and ambience<br />
55 Heritage Roads<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Streetscape Greenery<br />
Backbone of the Garden City<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Streetscape Greenery Master Plan<br />
•Parkway Treatment<br />
Roads in a parkland setting<br />
•Coastal Treatment<br />
Roads near the Sea<br />
•Forest Treatment<br />
Roads through the Rainforest<br />
•Rural Treatment<br />
Roads through the open Countryside<br />
•Gateway Treatment<br />
Points of Entry - Dramatic Features<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
<strong>Singapore</strong> - Roadside Greenery<br />
• wide planting verge<br />
• archway formed by canopy
Roadside Greenery
<strong>Singapore</strong> - Roadside Greenery<br />
Type of<br />
Streetscape<br />
Area<br />
Managed(ha)<br />
<strong>No</strong>s. Trees<br />
Major Road 2,224 387,000<br />
Minor Road 250 113,000<br />
Vacant state<br />
land near roads<br />
1,840 231,000<br />
4,314 731,000<br />
Source: Figures in May 2006<br />
National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>, 2008
Roadside Greenery: Main Challenges<br />
Tree species subjected to urban constraints<br />
• harsh, exposed, drying environment<br />
• utilities competing for underground space<br />
• soil volume is limited<br />
Intensive tree management needed<br />
• risk assessment/safety inspections<br />
• pruning – e.g. height clearance, dry branches<br />
• minimise storm damage – property/vehicles<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Roadside Greenery: Main Challenges<br />
Trees are living things:<br />
- NParks uses internationally endorsed methods<br />
and equipment to detect and deal with potential<br />
risks<br />
-- trees are not completely free of potential risks<br />
even with the best possible care<br />
-- the rate of tree failures is being kept low<br />
-- the trend over the last 6 years is of substantial<br />
reduction<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>, 2008
Comprehensive tree-care programme<br />
Greenery:<br />
NParks – over 100 ISA Certified Arborists -<br />
manage the tree stock<br />
Tree safety inspections<br />
Risk assessment – checklist<br />
Training/certification of tree inspectors:<br />
Visual tree assessment (VTA) techniques<br />
Better equipped to spot and deal with<br />
potential weaknesses in trees<br />
Arborist Continuing Education<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>, 2008
Comprehensive tree-care programme<br />
Greenery:<br />
Tree database<br />
PDA captures:<br />
Tree species, girth<br />
Identification number<br />
GIS map of location<br />
Inspection results<br />
Operations performed<br />
on each<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Comprehensive tree-care programme<br />
Greenery:<br />
on each tree<br />
Better tree management<br />
resulting from better tree<br />
inspections:<br />
More potential defects are<br />
spotted earlier<br />
Prescribing tree crown<br />
reduction programme for big<br />
mature trees<br />
Storm-vulnerable trees -<br />
replaced with more suitable<br />
species<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
<strong>Singapore</strong> - New Trends<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong><br />
• Integrated strategic planning<br />
and development<br />
• ‘BiodiverCity’<br />
• Territory wide connection<br />
• Greenway and blueway<br />
• Greening as core of attraction<br />
and development<br />
• New dimensions – R&D,<br />
vertical and roof greening
City in a Garden - Strategies<br />
• Park Masterplan<br />
• Park Connector Network<br />
• Parks & Waterbodies Plan<br />
• Streetscape Greenery<br />
Master Plan<br />
• Skyrise Greenery<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Park Masterplan<br />
• Variety and diversity to meet needs of the people<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
<strong>Singapore</strong> - City in a Garden<br />
• Integrated Approach<br />
• Live-Work-Play in Garden Setting<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
<strong>Singapore</strong> - Park Connector Network<br />
Link parks and nature sites -> network -<br />
Connectivity & accessibility<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Park Connector Network<br />
• Link green areas island-wide<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Park Connector Network<br />
• Maximise landuse,<br />
greenery and landscape<br />
• Connecting road<br />
reserves, drainage<br />
reserves, vacant lot,<br />
viaducts<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Park Connector - Henderson Waves<br />
• connecting existing parks together<br />
- Southern ridges - Mt Faber Park and Telok Blangah Hill Park
Park Connector - Henderson Waves<br />
- 9 km of pedestrian bridge,<br />
linking existing parks<br />
- forming corridor of green<br />
spaces<br />
- enhancing connectivity<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Park Connector - Henderson Waves
<strong>Singapore</strong> - BiodiverCity<br />
• Garden City - BiodiverCity<br />
• ‘world class living environment for all to<br />
enjoy in harmony with nature’<br />
• Sustainable urban development<br />
• Urban environment interwoven with<br />
nature<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
<strong>Singapore</strong> - Integration
Major Initiative – Marina Bay Project<br />
• URA – Master Plan for Marina Bay –<br />
overall coordination and control of<br />
planning, development, infrastructure,<br />
landscape, urban design, etc.<br />
• Explore, Exchange, Entertain -<br />
financial, shopping, dining, cultural hub<br />
Gardens by the Bay, promenade,<br />
The Helix bridge, 2.8 million sq.m. of<br />
office space, high end residential<br />
development, resorts, museums,<br />
transport network…<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Major Initiative – Marina Bay Project<br />
• Gardens by the Bay (101 ha)–<br />
botanic gardens in prime location and<br />
other public spaces<br />
• Continuous waterfront<br />
promenade (3.5 km)<br />
• Urban design – bridge, structures,<br />
external spaces<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Major Initiative – Marina Bay Project<br />
• art – culture – Art science<br />
museum, city gallery<br />
• integrated resort<br />
development<br />
• water management –<br />
recreation - Marina Barrage -<br />
conversion of seawater harbour<br />
to fresh water reservoir<br />
•common service tunnel<br />
•transport – international<br />
cruise terminal, quay, water<br />
taxis, MRT<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
<strong>Singapore</strong> - Parks & Waterbodies Plan<br />
Greenway and Blueway<br />
bring people closer to nature & recreational water<br />
bodies<br />
• <strong>No</strong>rthern Wetlands<br />
• Central Catchment<br />
• Southern Ridges<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Parks & Waterbodies Plan<br />
• Kolam Ayer Central Catchment<br />
After<br />
After
Parks & Waterbodies Plan<br />
• for recreational and educational use<br />
• bring people to water
Blueway - Active Beautiful Clean Masterplan<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong><br />
• By 2009 - 17 reservoirs,<br />
32 major rivers, 7000km<br />
canals/drains<br />
• all water bodies-recreational<br />
attractions<br />
• community ownership
Streetscape Greenery Master Plan<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Streetscape - Infrastructure<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Skyrise Greenery<br />
,Source: J. Yuen, HKILA<br />
Source: National Parks Board, <strong>Singapore</strong><br />
- More dimensions: environmental benefit reduce CO2 emission and<br />
urban heat island effect + healing environment (mental health)<br />
‐ Integrated with Other Environmental Systems – Sky‐rise greenery +<br />
solar technology e.g. Marina Barrage combined solar panels and roof garden
Skyrise Greenery<br />
Source: J. Yuen, HKILA<br />
<strong>Singapore</strong> Changi Airport –<br />
Terminal 3<br />
Marina Barrage - seamless<br />
extension of greenery from ground<br />
level to roof-top level
Urban Redevelopment Authority<br />
- Greener with LUSH
Landscaping. for. Urban Spaces. & High-Rises<br />
- Consolidate existing and new policies<br />
- Bring greenery provision to next higher<br />
level<br />
U RBAN<br />
R EDEVELOPMENT<br />
A UTHORITY<br />
Greener with<br />
LUSH
Greener with<br />
LUSH<br />
EXISTING INITIATIVES<br />
• Peripheral Planting<br />
• GFA Incentive for Balconies<br />
• GFA Exemption for Communal Landscaped Area at<br />
1st Sty<br />
• GFA Exemption for Communal Planter boxes<br />
FOUR NEW CHANGES<br />
• Communal Sky Terraces<br />
• Landscaped Deck<br />
• Rooftop Greenery<br />
• Landscape Replacement Policy for Strategic Areas<br />
U RBAN<br />
R EDEVELOPMENT<br />
A UTHORITY
New Changes<br />
(1) Sky Terraces
U RBAN<br />
R EDEVELOPMENT<br />
AUTHOR ITY<br />
(2) Landscape Deck<br />
• Landscaped Deck raised to<br />
hide carpark and not<br />
counted as a storey<br />
• Streetscape is softened<br />
and beautified.<br />
5m
(3) Rooftop Greenery
(4) Landscape Replacement<br />
at Strategic District
Introducing more Greenery into our<br />
Key Development Areas<br />
CBD<br />
City<br />
Hall<br />
Marina Bay<br />
U RBAN<br />
R EDEVELOPMENT<br />
AUTHOR ITY<br />
Marina<br />
Centre<br />
Kallang Riverside<br />
Jurong<br />
Gateway
Concept of Landscape Replacement<br />
Development<br />
Site Area<br />
U RBAN<br />
R EDEVELOPMENT<br />
AUTHOR ITY<br />
New Development New Development that<br />
provides landscape areas<br />
equivalent to the site area
Concept of Landscape Replacement<br />
U RBAN<br />
R EDEVELOPMENT<br />
AUTHOR ITY<br />
Roof<br />
Garden<br />
Sky<br />
Terrace<br />
Planter<br />
Boxes<br />
1 st Storey<br />
Communal<br />
Landscape<br />
Area<br />
≥ Site Area
<strong>Singapore</strong> - Research and development<br />
CUGE<br />
- Centre for Urban Greenery & Ecology<br />
-Provide training to professional and<br />
workers<br />
-share knowledge and advance<br />
expertise<br />
-Professional skill training for all levels<br />
Source: CUGE, <strong>Singapore</strong>
Research and development<br />
CUGE – Centre for Urban<br />
Greenery & Ecology<br />
Train and certify for landscape<br />
industry<br />
- Trade Certificate in landscape<br />
practices<br />
- Certified Practicing<br />
Horticulturists<br />
- Certified Arborist<br />
Source: CUGE, <strong>Singapore</strong><br />
Source: CUGE <strong>Singapore</strong>
Research and development<br />
Scholarship to local<br />
/overseas universities –<br />
botany, LA, hort. ,<br />
environment management<br />
Source: CUGE, <strong>Singapore</strong><br />
Source: CUGE <strong>Singapore</strong>
Green Roof Research - Trials<br />
CUGE – Centre for Urban Greenery & Ecology
<strong>Singapore</strong> - Achievement<br />
-Strong commitment - top to all<br />
levels<br />
-Visionary planning + Priority<br />
-Policy + implementation<br />
-Centralized authority<br />
-Coordination and integration<br />
-Research<br />
-Continuous improvement
THANK YOU<br />
Greening and Landscape Office<br />
Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section<br />
Development Bureau
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