Just 40 years ago, Singapore faced the problems of overcrowding in the city, poor living conditions and a severe lack of infrastructure. Today, Singapore is a thriving city and international business hub characterized by a high standard of living in a clean and green environment.
The success did not come about by chance but through a process of proactive and farsighted planning.
Two of the most pressing national concerns following independence were unemployment and lack of public housing.
Two government agencies were tasked with solving these problems - the Housing and Development Board (HDB) and the Economic Development Board (EDB). The HDB tackled the acute housing needs and implemented an urban renewal programme. The EDB was placed in charge of Singapore's industrialization programme.
Thus, in the 1960s, Singapore saw the beginnings of industrialization and the construction of public housing. This also meant that a new plan was needed to meet the challenges that followed.
With help from the United Nations, the first Concept Plan was formed in 1971.
The Concept Plan of 1971 adopted the "Ring Concept Plan". This envisaged the development of a ring of new high-density satellite towns around the central water catchment area, with each town separated by green spaces and a system of parks and open spaces. Low- and medium-density private housing would be built beside these towns and there would be provisions for industrial estates.
The towns would be linked by an island-wide system of expressways. The Concept Plan also proposed a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system to connect the population centers with the city and Jurong.
The Concept Plan also called for existing facilities to be maximized. In addition, it stressed the need for a better living environment and to set aside substantial areas for recreation.
This period saw the development of Central Area. Historically, the Central Area had been the hub around which Singapore evolved. Commercial and banking activity had always been concentrated there, but over the years, it had developed haphazardly and congestion had grown to an intolerable level.
The Urban Renewal Department (URD) was set up in 1967 under the HDB. This department was entrusted with the physical, social and economic regeneration of the Central Area.
However, the task facing the URD was so immense it soon became obvious that a mere department within the HDB was not capable of organising the effort necessary to redevelop the Central Area. On 1st April 1974, the department was turned into an independent statutory body under the Ministry of National Development. With that, the Urban Redevelopment Authority was created.
URA's primary task then was to redevelop the Central Area and resettle residents affected by redevelopment. Between 1967 and 1989, a total of 184 hectares of land were cleared, assembled and sold under the URA Sale of Sites Programme, resulting in the development of 155 projects. Through this programme, Singapore's Central Area was transformed from an area of slums and squatters into a modern financial and business hub.
In 1980, the URA, supported by other government agencies, prepared a comprehensive long-term plan for the Central Area. Chief among its proposals were the development of Marina City on 690 hectares of reclaimed land south of Singapore into an integrated hotel, shopping, office, residential and recreational development.
As the economy grew and the country's per capita income rose, the city also had to keep up with the changing times by having a modern physical infrastructure.
In 1983, the URA completed an urban design plan for the Central Area. This resulted in an orderly transformation of the city skyline and the creation of an impressive environment interwoven with the historical, architectural and cultural heritage of the older parts of the city. This led to the formulation of the 1985 Central Area Structure Plan.
With the growing interest in the importance of conservation, a comprehensive study was carried out to mark significant historic areas for conservation. The 1989 Conservation Plan designated areas for conservation. Historic districts like Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, Singapore River - including Boat Quay and Clarke Quay - as well as residential areas like Emerald Hill, Cairnhill, Blair Plain, and secondary settlements like Joo Chiat and Geylang were given conservation status.
By 1989, much of Singapore's infrastructure as envisaged in the 1971 Concept Plan - new towns, expressways, the MRT system and the renewal of the Central Area - had already been put in place. The Central Area Business District was also almost fully developed.
In 1989, the URA merged with the Planning Department and Research & Statistic Unit of the Ministry of National Development, and a new URA emerged. It became the national planning and conservation authority, with greatly expanded resources to guide the physical development of Singapore into the year 2000 and beyond. This thrust was reflected in its new slogan, "Towards a Tropical City of Excellence."
Thus, the challenge for urban planning in the 1990s was a more qualitative one as Singapore strove to be the first developed city on the equatorial belt, with its own identity distinct from cities in the west.
To achieve this, a major review of the 1971 Concept Plan was undertaken and completed in 1991. It stressed quality, identity and variety when planning for a population of 4 million.
The vision of The Concept Plan 2001 is to develop Singapore into a thriving city in the 21st century. It is based on a population scenario of 5.5 million and sets the vision for the next 40 to 50 years. Key proposals include:
- New housing in familiar places
- High-rise city living - a room with a view
- More choices for recreation
- Greater flexibility for businesses
- A global business centre
- An extensive rail network
- Focus on identity
For more information on The Concept Plan 2001, click here. |
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