By Shabnam Muzammil:
The Urban Land Institute (ULI) and Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) has launched a new publication which promotes the idea that urban density does not have to compromise liveability and sustainability, if development policies that emphasize a “people-first” focus is maintained.
The findings of the project were revealed yesterday at The URA Centre in Singapore. The publication delivers tips on achieving a sustainable, liveable environment in a country with high-density and offers “lessons from Singapore” to other countries dealing with similar issues.
“Singapore is seen as a high-density, high-liveability development model. We saw some relevance of Singapore’s experience to others, particularly emerging cities, many of whom are high-density and want to raise the quality of life for their people,” said Khoo Teng Chye, Executive Director, CLC.
Meanwhile, one attendee at the publication launch felt that Singapore had taken its planning a step too far whereby it now felt “artificial”.
Addressing his comments to the panel of speakers, he said: “I’ve just moved to Singapore over a year ago. It’s very well-planned, clean, it’s convenient – nothing to complain on that front. However, I find this city to be very artificial. I don’t know why but it just seems very artificial.”
He also asked if that was something the authorities had been working towards.
Andrew David Fassam, Senior Director at the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) felt the comment was best taken positively.
“Is that something we should be proud of? Maybe I should take it as a compliment! You feel it’s so amazing, and we’ve done such a good job that it seems artificial!” he said.
He went on to draw comparisons between Singapore and Dubai, noting that while Dubai was on par in terms of density, its living conditions for many in the working class are debatable. Meanwhile, Singapore ranks 25th on the 2012 Mercer survey of worldwide city rankings.
Shabnam Muzammil, Senior Journalist at PropertyGuru, wrote this story. To contact her about this or other stories email shabnam@propertyguru.com.sg
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