Walking, cycling paths plus a 'Heartwave Wall' of history
Straits Times 30 Sep 11;
A SCENIC man-made waterway that cuts a meandering path through the Punggol neighbourhood is due to be completed next month.
The 4.2km stretch contains an eco-drain that filters rainwater, but the Housing Board (HDB) has made it look as natural and attractive as possible.
My Waterway@Punggol, as it is called, will be lined with walking and cycle paths that connect the Serangoon and Punggol reservoirs.
There is also a 280m-long 'Heartwave Wall' decked in greenery and featuring stories from the area's history.
'We worked with consultants in order to incorporate vertical greening, and even water curtains,' said Mr Alan Tan, deputy managing director of the HDB's Building Research Institute.
An opening ceremony will be held on Oct 23.
Plans to turn Punggol into a waterfront town were first outlined in Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's 2007 National Day Rally speech.
The idea has taken root with Singaporeans, boosting demand for build-to-order flats there - even though they are more expensive than those in some other areas.
Waterway Terraces 1 was 12 times oversubscribed when it was launched in July last year.
Administrative assistant Fabian Lau, 24, bought a four-room unit in the development. He is now looking forward to morning jogs along the park connector when his new home is ready by 2015.
'One of the main reasons I bought the flat is because it's facing the water,' he said. 'The view is very good and it's definitely worth the higher price tag.'
CHERYL ONG
My Waterway@Punggol to open from Oct 23
Channel NewsAsia 29 Sep 11;
SINGAPORE: Singapore's longest man-made waterway will be open to visitors from October 23.
The 4.2 kilometre-long My Waterway@Punggol features five bridges, bringing visitors closer to the water.
Punggol waterway was created out of barren land, and connects Punggol Reservoir to Serangoon Reservoir.
But the area has been given a facelift, making it a scenic spot for a slew of leisure activities.
Visitors can relive old memories of Punggol along the way, by stopping at this rest stop, which was an old bus stop in the area.
As the waterway is man-made, the challenge for the Housing & Development Board was how to keep the waterway clean and teeming with life.
This is done through a series of eco features - such as an eco-drain that cleanses surface run-off water before it is discharged into the waterway.
Aerators have also been installed to enhance the water quality.
- CNA/al
