URA's reply, 10 Jul 2016
On the road towards more streets for people
It is indeed the intention of the Government to make Singapore a car-lite and more people-friendly city ("Make more streets people-friendly"; last Sunday).
We hope to achieve this progressively by galvanising public support through events like Car-Free Sunday SG and, at the same time, enhancing our public transport and infrastructure to accommodate different modes of active mobility.
The support of the community is paramount. Since 2013, the Urban Redevelopment Authority has worked hand in hand with community stakeholders to create numerous weekend car-free zones across the city.
Today, a total of 18 roads are closed to cars on a regular basis, turning roads such as Haji Lane, Club Street/Ann Siang Hill, Circular Road and Liang Seah Street into vibrant car-free zones buzzing with people and activities. Most of these street closures are totally sustained by the efforts of local stakeholders.
The Streets for People programme launched in July last year aims to encourage more people to step forward to initiate temporary car-free zones in their community. It is heartening that in about a year, nine ground-up initiatives have already been implemented at various streets such as Keong Saik Road, Maju Avenue and, more recently, Caseen Street. We hope such efforts will in time help spread the support for a city that places emphasis on people over cars.
The journey towards a car-lite city is one that takes not only the commitment of the Government, but also the support and active participation of the community. Together, we can create an even greener, liveable and more inclusive city.
Andrew David Fassam Senior Director (Urban Design) Urban Redevelopment Authority
Editorial, 3 Jul 2016, The Straits Times
Make more streets people-friendly
The reclaiming of streets for people has preoccupied European and American cities for many decades. Initially, taking road capacity away from car users was seen as "a brave decision for an authority to take", as a European Commission report noted. But the impact of car-free initiatives was found to be "usually far less serious than predicted". Some of the traffic simply evaporated as motorists adjusted their behaviour and routines.
Singapore has to bite the bullet too. It is, however, taking a cautious approach in extending Car-Free Sundays in the heart of the city. Another pilot scheme will run from October, after a break. And the Urban Redevelopment Authority might expand it to the HDB heartland later.
There is every reason to let it spread its wings as car-free schemes dovetail with the objective of making public spaces more liveable, "green" and open to different forms of active mobility. Such an environment paired with reliable forms of public transport would help the nation ease smoothly towards a car-lite future.
Doubters should look at the experience of cities like Copenhagen which until 1962 saw its city centre so congested with cars that it required all the squares to be used as carparks. Now, 80 per cent of all journeys in its city centre are made on foot, and 14 per cent by bicycle.
While setting its own urban mobility goals, Singapore should press ahead with car-free schemes in more selected areas for keeps. The temporary nature of one pilot run after another might inhibit various community and business uses from springing up organically. Footfall in reclaimed spaces then becomes largely dependent on organised events. And if these run out of steam, it could work against proposals to pedestrianise suitable spots. As public spaces contribute to the overall well-being of citizens, there should be no ambivalence about putting people before cars.