To gain further insights on the effects of greening in Singapore, the National Parks Board (NParks) will embark on two research studies in collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), said National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan in a blog post.
They are Park Prescription, which examines the positive effects of physical activity in parks with clinical research, and Horticultural Therapy, which investigates the effects of parks and gardening on the mental health of the elderly.
Mr Khaw noted that it was the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew who greened up Singapore as he felt strongly that “a blighted urban landscape, a concrete jungle destroys the human spirit. We need the greenery of nature to lift our spirits.”
Around 80 percent of homes in Singapore are currently within a 10-minute walk from a park, and the government aims to raise this to 90 percent by 2030, added Mr Khaw.
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Singapore Editor at PropertyGuru, wrote this story. To contact him about this or other stories email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
