Panel set up to help developers incorporate waterways into Singapore projects

Channel NewsAsia 5 Apr 08;

SINGAPORE: Singapore's water agency, PUB, has formed an ABC Waters Review Panel to help developers incorporate water bodies into their projects.

It was set up late last year together with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Law Ministry. The panel also has several high-profile local architects as members.

Environment and Water Resources Minister, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, revealed this at the launch of the S$2.5 million Kolam Ayer ABC Waterfront pilot project – under PUB's Active, Beautiful and Clean (ABC) Waters programme – on Saturday.

Dr Yaacob said: "The idea is very simple. At the end of the day, when developers develop their projects, I'm sure there must be ways in which they can integrate waterways in their design. Previously, that integration had not occurred. They saw it as a setback to have to fulfil a PUB requirement, but now we are telling them that there are ways in which that can be integrated.

"The panel will help to advise the developers on what they can do to integrate the waterways. With the enhancement, that could be a selling point. We want to explore the possibilities."

PUB will also produce a set of ABC Waters Design Guidelines to provide design ideas and technical support for professionals.

Developers who incorporate water features into projects already have a fast-track process to tap on the 'green lane'. Since it was introduced in 2006, 15 proposals have been submitted via this channel.

On the Kolam Ayer facelift project, Dr Yaacob said even though the physical infrastructure has been completed, the important factor now is the involvement of the community to take ownership and ensure the area remains clean and vibrant.

He said: "For the place to come alive, we need residents to take ownership. I'll be very happy if we can demonstrate this as a viable and sustainable project over the long term."

Chiang Heng Liang, Chairman of the ABC Waters Project Community Workshop, said: "It's up to the community, the people, the grassroots, residents, interest groups and all these people coming together to organise gatherings and meaningful activities... to interact and mingle."

Four groups have already expressed interest in helping to inject vibrancy into the area. They include Bendemeer primary and secondary schools which have adopted sections of the river to conduct river patrols and organise river clean-ups.

For a particular family, the completion of the waterfront project is worth waiting for.

Ismail Yacob, a Kolam Ayer resident, said: "It enhances the quality of life and, at the same time, beautifies our estate."

His wife, Nurashikin I Cheong, said: "Maybe during school holidays, we can come here to barbeque."

With this development completed, residents can look forward to more activities by the waterfront such as yoga and a Sunday flea market.

Subsequent facelifts under PUB's ABC Waters programme will be conducted at Bedok and MacRitchie reservoirs.- CNA/so

Stretch of Kallang River gets vibrant splash
Mavis Toh, Straits Times 6 Apr 08;

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim turned up for an event in a dragon boat yesterday.

The occasion in Kolam Ayer marked the first completed project under the Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters programme, which transforms reservoirs, rivers and canals into recreation centres.

Hence, it was apt that the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Ms Denise Phua, an MP for Jalan Besar GRC, arrived by boat.

And more residents will get to enjoy waterfront living as national water agency PUB plans to implement more than 20 other projects in the next five years.

Over the past year, a 200m stretch of the Kallang River in Kolam Ayer had been given a $2.5 million makeover.

Bare concrete used to line the muddy riverbank, but an array of vegetation, lookout decks and interactive water features now provide a vibrant splash.

Said Dr Yaacob: 'Residents can soon look forward to morning exercises such as taiji, qigong and yoga by the river, right at the doorsteps of our blocks.'

The project will be managed by the Kolam Ayer community, which will organise activities such as kayaking and gardening.

Bendemeer Primary and Bendemeer Secondary schools will conduct river patrols and clean-ups.

'At the end of the day, for the place to come alive and to be kept clean, we need residents in the community to take ownership,' said Dr Yaacob.

Hundreds showed up at the launch, eager to get a feel of the water features.

Housewife Lily Ng, 40, was at the event with her three young children to try out the water wheel.

'This place is totally transformed...It used to be dirty and unkempt, now it's so attractive. Both the young and old will enjoy the water features,' she said.