Urban planners look to Lion City for inspiration

Liaw Wy-Cin & Shobana Kesava, Straits Times 25 Jun 08;

SINGAPORE was very much under the microscope yesterday from city planners keen to strike a balance between developing the urban landscape and not undermining nature.

This included its ability to manage congestion, preserve biodiversity in the midst of urbanisation and manage waste.

Its success in developing a vibrant city and green environment within an area of 700 sq km was cited by delegates at various sessions of the World Cities Summit.

One reason for successful urban planning here is the willingness of those involved to seek constructive criticism, said planning expert Marilyn Taylor, former head of the United States' Urban Land Institute.

'Singapore has a willingness to offer itself up to go under the microscope for others to scrutinise, and that has helped it to develop successfully,' she said after a session on planning for a distinctive and vibrant city.

It also has an ability to invest ahead of demand, she said, noting that this boiled down to having a responsible government.

Others also underlined this point, noting that an attractive city needed a public sector that took responsibility for using resources effectively, and building infrastructure that was sustainable.

Dr Ahmed Djoghlaf, executive secretary of the United Nations' Convention on Biological Diversity, said at a separate discussion on biodiversity that cities like Singapore and Busan in South Korea showed it was possible 'to grow at breakneck speed without undermining nature'.

This was due in large part to a partnership between government and 'green' groups who are on the same wavelength and develop workable solutions.

Cities such as Philadelphia, Dublin, Bilbao and Barcelona were also cited for their model urban planning.

Underlining why this was important, Dr Alfonso Vegara, president of Fundacion Metropolis, a Spanish foundation, said competition today 'is not between countries but cities, and they are competing for talent'.

At a session where speakers shared ideas on road congestion, Singapore was again cited for its good public transport system.

This was being emulated, for example, in fast-growing Indian cities that are working with Singapore's Land Transport Authority.

'Cities have to be returned to the people,' said Mr Sanjeev Kumar Lohia of India's Urban Development Ministry, which has implemented some of Singapore's best practices in bus and rail systems.

Dr Vukan Vuchic, Professor of Transportation Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, said many of the world's best practices have been pioneered here.

'Electronic Road Pricing preceded such measures in other countries by at least 20 years,' he said.

Singapore's approach has been to encourage people to use public transport. Shops, for instance, are sited close to MRT stations. Work is also being done to double the rail network by 2020.

International Association of Public Transport secretary-general Hans Rat said the efficient transport system can now be enhanced so it appeals to those who rarely use it. Design and other changes to France's light rail system, for instance, have seen more of its wealthier citizens now using it.

Other cities also cited for their outstanding public transport systems were Munich, Portland, Vancouver and Perth.

On waste management, participants at one session heard of Singapore's aim to become a 'zero landfill' nation - where nearly all waste will be recycled.

While no timeframe has been set, National Environment Agency director-general Joseph Hui believed if landfill here could be brought down to a 'very low level', it would be a significant achievement.

And the future looks promising.

Total domestic waste disposed per capita has dropped from 0.89kg to 0.88kg a day per person. The recycling rate has gone up from 49 per cent in 2005 to 54 per cent last year. The goal is to hit 60 per cent by 2012.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY JESSICA CHEAM AND SHEFALI REKHI