Wanted: A green city that respects its history
Public consultation on reports sees calls for pedestrian zones in heritage-rich areas
Esther Teo & Ang Yiying Straits Times 20 Aug 10;
MORE green initiatives, more cycling and more pedestrian zones in heritage areas were some of the key points to emerge from a public consultation exercise on two reports out yesterday.
Members of the public have had their say, with 300 responses received since focus groups released draft reports of their recommendations - on sustainability and identity, and quality of life - in May.
Their final reports were presented yesterday. They in turn will be used to help devise the Urban Redevelopment Authority's Concept Plan 2011, which will set out directions for land use and transport over the next 40 to 50 years.
A draft of the concept plan - they are reviewed once every 10 years - will be released next year and a further public feedback process undertaken.
As yesterday's reports reflected, public feedback forms a vital part of the process.
The co-chairman of the sustainability focus group, Mr Ong Keng Yong, told The Straits Times that the public had helped to 'intensify' certain ideas so they became more practical.
Going green was a hot-button topic, he said, with members of the public offering 'specific, rational and well-articulated ideas' on how to take Singapore on a more ecological and greener path without being too confrontational.
Suggestions included setting up a green accreditation body and a system to establish reliable environmental standards for products and services.
'I was very impressed by the level of awareness and the strong emphasis on the goodness of green from the public and how well-researched and well-articulated their ideas were,' said Mr Ong, who is director of the Institute of Policy Studies.
There were also suggestions to make streets rich in heritage, art and culture - such as Haji Lane in Kampong Glam and the lanes in Little India - the preserve of pedestrians.
Mr Lee Tzu Yang, the co-chair of the sustainability focus group, said these ideas highlighted the support the public had for preserving Singapore's heritage and identity. Mr Lee, who chairs Shell's companies here, added it was encouraging that the public had supported many of the focus group's initial proposals, with suggestions mostly 'tinkering and tuning' their initial recommendations.
Recommendations by the focus group on quality of life also received 'quite a bit of support and endorsement', noted Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, president of the National University of Singapore and the group's co-chairman. In particular, recommendations to provide spaces for intergenerational bonding and measures to make Singapore elderly-friendly received strong support. But some issues, such as cycling, generated more debate - within the group itself and during public feedback.
Some supported the push towards a culture of cycling but others were worried that cyclists made problems for pedestrians.
Mr Ong said generational differences occasionally arose during their discussions and public feedback sessions. While middle-aged people enjoyed seeing traditional business activities in heritage areas like Little India, the younger generation said these jarred with the increasing number of pubs and restaurants.
'When we see a shop making curry powder using these antiquated machines in Little India, it's nostalgic for us and part of the sights, sounds and scent of the place. But the younger guys, sometimes they want it moved to industrial areas instead,' he said.
Going 'green'
Straits Times 20 Aug 10;
STRONG support for green initiatives emerged from the public consultation process on sustainability. Two green suggestions from those providing feedback were incorporated into the final sustainability report.
The first was to extend the Green Mark Scheme - relating to energy efficiency in buildings - to more areas here to ensure that both existing and new buildings achieve the Green Mark certification. The second was to set up a green accreditation body and system to establish reliable environmental standards for products and services.
Co-chairman of the sustainability and identity focus group Ong Keng Yong said he was impressed by the level of awareness on green issues. Those providing feedback offered thoughtful comments, and solutions as well, he said.
Pedestrian havens
Straits Times 20 Aug 10;
HAJI Lane in Kampong Glam and some small streets in Little India could be turned into a haven for pedestrians, with cars barred from using them.
The idea might soon become reality if the URA decides to adopt some of the recommendations put forward by the sustainability and identity focus group.
The proposal to 'pedestrianise' more streets in areas rich in heritage, art and culture was included in the group's final report after it received wide support from members of the public.
This would allow pedestrians to move around more easily without cars as a hazard, sustainability focus group co-chair Ong Keng Yong said.
The public has suggested that there would also be less pollution, allowing older buildings to be better maintained.
Room for cyclists
Straits Times 20 Aug 10;
CYCLING was mentioned by many people who gave feedback for the reports.
Some supported the push towards a culture of cycling, but others were worried that cyclists caused problems for pedestrians.
Said Mr Edmund Cheng, chairman of the National Arts Council and co-chairman of the focus group on quality of life: 'Many older people said they have to give way to cyclists when the footpaths are already so narrow... some have to walk outside of the footpaths.'
The final report by the focus group on quality of life reflected these views by recommending the introduction of dedicated cycling lanes to encourage more cycling within towns, and the widening of footpaths for areas where it is not feasible to set aside dedicated lanes.
Iconic spaces v heritage
Straits Times 20 Aug 10;
MORE iconic spaces like Marina Bay should be built so that the country has more distinctive areas, but there are also concerns that places of heritage could be lost.
The need to balance development with the desire to retain familiar places is reflected in the recommendations. The report noted that a possible approach would be to 'introduce iconic spaces sensitively within the larger urban nodes such as the city centre... and the regional centres and growth areas'.
Some of the regional centres and growth areas given as examples include the Jurong Lake District, Kallang Riverside and Paya Lebar Central.
Holistic approach to public transport proposed
Green transport a top priority in concept plan reports
Lynn Kan The Business Times 20 Aug 10;
(SINGAPORE) Switching to environmentally-friendly transport won't mean more pain and discomfort, if the suggestions in reports by two government-appointed focus groups are anything to go by.
In fact, frequent public transport commuters will be cheered to see suggestions that include longer operating hours for buses and trains, shorter commute times with dedicated bus lanes for express buses and reduced fares.
While some of the suggestions are not new, the final reports put forth a 'more integrated, holistic approach' so more people will choose public transport to make Singapore 'greener'.
The two reports were compiled to address issues of ageing, sustainability, quality of life and identity in Singapore, and will be taken into consideration for Concept Plan 2011, a blueprint for Singapore's land use and transportation plans over the next 40 to 50 years.
However, it's not all carrots with no sticks. One such 'stick' might draw groans from motorists. One focus group raised the issue of reviewing car parking policies, which might include raising parking fees in the city and town centres, reducing the number of parking lots.
The reports also addressed the issue that alternative modes of transport such as walking and cycling could become more commonplace if Singapore found a way to address the hot and humid climate and improve safety.
For this, dedicated cycling lane networks, increasing parking facilities for bicycles and more foliage-covered walkways to MRT stations, bus stops and taxi stands were some suggestions.
Some recommendations addressed bigger social and national identity issues as well. For instance, having pedestrian thoroughfares in heritage areas such as Kampong Glam, Haji Lane and Little India would not only allow pedestrians to soak in Singapore's heritage, art and culture but also 'green' their transportation habits.
Besides transportation, improving waste management and raising demand for green products were addressed. To promote both recycling and use of transport, recycling facilities could be placed at MRT stations and public transport rebates could be given to those who recycle.
Also making the list were ideas like community-wide composting, pegging waste disposal fees to the amount thrown away, and setting up a green accreditation body to set environmental standards for products and services.
Executive director of Singapore Environment Council, Howard Shaw welcomes the progress of the reports that were presented to the Ministry of National Development and Urban Redevelopment Authority yesterday.
'It's good to have a holistic approach,' he said.
'People's lifestyles have changed tremendously and looking into how to change Singapore's infrastructure to fit that, will raise awareness and acceptability of how to live more sustainably.'
Concept Plan 2011 Focus Groups present final recommendations to URA
URA Press Release 19 Aug 10;
The Concept Plan 2011 Focus Groups on “Quality of Life” and “Sustainability and Identity” presented their final reports on their recommendations for the Concept Plan 2011 to the Ministry of National Development and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) today.
As part of the public consultation exercise for the Concept Plan 2011 review, two focus groups were appointed by the URA in January 2010 to discuss four key issues - Quality of Life, Ageing, Sustainability and Identity - that will shape our live, work and play environment in the coming years.
The two focus groups’ recommendations were finalised after extensive discussions and site visits by the focus groups from January 2010 to April 2010. The final report also took into consideration public feedback received on the draft recommendations at two public forums held on 6 and 10 May 2010, as well as the findings of the URA Lifestyle and Online surveys, which were announced on 30 April 2010.
Focus group on “Sustainability and Identity”
The focus group on “Sustainability and Identity” aspires for Singapore to be a Sustainable City and an Endearing Home. To achieve this, the focus group has come up with a set of recommendations categorised under two key thrusts:
(a) Building a sustainable city
(i) Strengthen green infrastructure
(ii) Foster more sharing and ownership of sustainable practices
(b) Making Singapore an endearing home
(i) Cherish and safeguard our built and natural heritage
(ii) Enhance our people’s experience of our built and natural heritage
(iii) Involve the stakeholders and community in shaping an endearing Singapore
See Annex A (pdf) for the summary of key recommendations on “Sustainability and Identity”.
Final report of Focus Group’s recommendations on “Sustainability and Identity”.
http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/graphics/2010/pr10-97a_SDRpt%20.pdf
Focus group on “Quality of Life”
The focus group on “Quality of Life” aspires for Singapore to be an even more liveable and lively city, one which is inspiring, inclusive and vibrant, and which residents love and are proud to call home. To achieve this, the focus group proposed four key themes:
(a) Distinctiveness: An inspiring global and Asian city
(b) Proud home: Deepening the sense of community and ownership
(c) People-centricity: Catering for diversity while being ‘age-friendly’
(d) At the cutting edge: Breaking new ground as a city of tomorrow
See Annex B (pdf) for the summary of key recommendations on “Quality of Life”.
Final report of Focus Group’s recommendations on “Quality of Life”. http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/graphics/2010/pr10-97b_QOLRpt.pdf
The focus groups’ recommendations will be taken into consideration in drawing up the Concept Plan 2011. The draft Concept Plan 2011 will be exhibited in the second half of 2011 where public feedback will be sought on the Concept Plan 2011 before it is finalised.
About the Concept Plan
The Concept Plan maps out the long term directions for Singapore’s land use and transportation plans over the next 40 to 50 years. The Concept Plan takes into consideration Singapore’s land use demands including housing, industry and commerce, community, recreation, transport and infrastructure needs. It safeguards land for key growth sectors to ensure we have enough land to meet all our development needs even in the long term. The review is carried out once every ten years and the present review is scheduled to be completed in 2011.
About the Concept Plan 2011 Focus Groups
As part of the public consultation exercise for the Concept Plan 2011 review, two focus groups were formed in January 2010.
Mr Lee Tzu Yang, Chairman, Shell Companies in Singapore and Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, Director, Institute of Policy Studies chaired a focus group which looked into Sustainability and Identity issues. The second group, co-chaired by Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman, National Arts Council and Prof Tan Chorh Chuan, President, National University of Singapore discussed issues on Quality of Life.
The two focus groups comprised a good balance of members, from professional organisations, non-government organisations, academics, community leaders, business representatives, youths etc to represent a broad spectrum of our population.
