PAPER ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC ...

AppendixSingapore Approach: 8.1.3 (Singapore as a Case Study)The development of infrastructure in Singapore did not happenwithout a number of challenges. Its small size and scarce naturalresources imposed severe challenges, but the authorities did acrucial thing right – they followed a systems approach with anunderstanding of how things influence one another.The result is the Singapore we know today: an attractive and greencity-state with large-scale, integrated and urban infrastructuresystems. The Singaporean model for socio-economic development isexemplary for both developmental economists focused on quickturnarounds as well as developed nations. What Singaporemanaged to achieve is no small triumph if you consider where theycame from. At independence in 1965, Singapore had only 580square kilometers of land. Jobs needed to be created for its manyunemployed citizens born during the baby boom years after theSecond World War who entered the job market in droves. Tosucceed and survive as an independent city-state, Singapore had tomeet its objectives of security, rapid socio-economic developmentand nation-building. The approach of the government of the day’sapproach was based on pragmatism – a governing style, called“management by objectives”.The most important task at hand was to build an urban system thatwould meet people’s most basic needs while using as little space aspossible. Central to the development of these solutions was a masterplan that coordinated multidimensional integration. There were twoimportant aspects to consider – integrating the demand for spacewith the functional needs for residential, industrial and commercialdevelopment.• Housing: Singapore is land-scarce and its government had tohouse the majority of people in high-rise buildings. Homes werebuilt at a phenomenal rate in the past 40 years and nearly 80% ofhousing is public housing. The success of this type ofaccommodation laid the foundation for many otherdevelopments. Public housing estates flowed from that to ensurethere was an even distribution of the population. To accommodatecitizens and minimizing their need to commute, public transportwas made available in the form of mass rapid transit systems –whether through light rail or buses. Emanating from the housingestates were schools, commercial centres, parks and otherrecreational facilities to ensure each estate was self-sufficient.Thecountry also developed new integrated residential andcommercial developments in new areas to reduce pressure on theCentral Business District.• Sewerage: To free up more space above ground and shallowersubterranean space, Singapore developed a deep tunnelsewerage system situated a depth of about 50m underground. Justas it was necessary to free up land space by building high-riseapartments there was a need to develop undergroundinfrastructure.• Aesthetic living, working and social spaces: By integrating thedrains, canals and reservoirs with the surrounding environment in aholistic way, Singapore succeeded in creating cleanstreams, rivers, and lakes with appealing community spaces for allto enjoy. Singapore has a vision to be a City in a Garden and itsNational Parks Board (NParks) is tasked with providing the greeneryin and around living and working spaces. NParks manages 300parks and four nature reserves. Adding to the lushness is theextensive streetscape, or roadside greenery, that forms thebackbone of the city in a garden-concept. An island-wide parkconnector network is also on the cards to link all the majorparks, nature areas and residential estates. NParks has developedan urban biodiversity conservation model, which aims to safeguard ecosystemsin land-scarce Singapore.J. Ajayi Patunola & Co.. Estate Surveyors & Valuers 37