Mr Ng Lang, CEO, Urban Redevelopment Authority
Professor Heng Chye Kiang, Dean, School of Design and Environment, NUS
Associate Professor Wong Yunn Chii, Head, Department of Architecture, NUS
Friends of Ubin Network (FUN) Members,
Teachers and students,
Ladies and gentlemen,
A very good evening, I am very happy to join you today for the launch of two very special exhibitions by young people for Singapore. The first exhibition showcases the projects carried out by the students here, on Pearl’s Hill, as part of the URA’s Challenge for the Urban and Built Environment (CUBE) 2014. The second is an exhibition that showcases ideas for Pulau Ubin by students of the NUS Department of Architecture.
I am very encouraged to hear that more than 450 of you, students and educators, have been actively researching on, and coming up with ideas both for Pulau Ubin, as well as for the Pearl’s Hill district. Two seemingly different environments, but they are a part of the Singapore fabric and identity.
It is indeed important for young Singaporeans like you to be involved in such projects, as it enables you to understand and appreciate the vital role that careful planning plays in Singapore’s transformation and evolution. As the young people of today, you will one day become planners and architects of Singapore’s future, and have the grey hair to show for it. It is therefore never too early for you to start getting involved in the planning process, and thinking about how you can contribute in planning for the future Singapore that you hope to see for yourself and for your children. Do it now when you have the experts and eminent professors here who mentored you. I think it has been a very rigorous and good process for the past year. Please keep in contact; they may well be your future employers and mentors who will guide and lead you in your years ahead.
Let me talk a bit more about the exhibition that features your ideas for the Pearl’s Hill district. These ideas have come out from the sixth edition of CUBE. It is an annual workshop and competition organised by the URA to share the importance of urban planning with young Singaporeans. Through a four-day workshop, student participants put on the hat of an urban planner in Singapore, with all the stresses and strains and creative ideas, have come together to create ideas to design our city and improve our living environment.
CUBE 2014 hit new heights, with a record 148 students from 14 schools taking part in the workshop in last November. We are also heartened by the continued strong support from our industry partners, with 11 sponsors and two supporting partners joining us to provide a more enriching learning experience for students.
Under the guidance of planners and architects, the students walked the ground, spoke to people, and came up with design proposals to turn Pearl’s Hill into a sustainable residential precinct within a hill-side park setting. At the CUBE exhibition, we will find out how you, our students, have translated your understanding of the unique context of Pearl’s Hill and needs of the local community into your own design proposals for the district. I attended CUBE last year and asked quite difficult questions. I was very impressed by the energy, dynamism and creativity of young students. I expect to be thoroughly impressed today as well, together with the mentors and planners.
To plan for an area that appeals to people of all ages, one that is green, healthy, connected, and strong in community interaction and spirit, is what actually underpins sustainable urban development in our little island city Singapore. I am heartened and encouraged to know that these students have put in a lot of effort to ensure that their projects are focused on bringing the community together to enjoy what Pearl’s Hill has to offer. It demonstrates your resounding passion and interest in the development of your urban landscape.
Let me now move to the north-east of Singapore - to Pulau Ubin - which is also featured in the other exhibitions also co-located here. The Ubin Project was launched in March last year to gather ideas and suggestions from Singaporeans on how we can enhance the rustic charm of Pulau Ubin for our future generations. I am wondering how many here have not yet been to Pulau Ubin. I’m sure there will be some. I hope that after the exhibition, you will be energized to go visit the place. We are very encouraged that many have come forward to share their ideas. We have gathered more than 2,000 ideas and suggestions through various platforms so far. The diversity of ideas we received allows us to better understand what Pulau Ubin means to Singaporeans, what they envision the island to be, what more we can do to enhance its rustic charm, including its biodiversity, history and heritage, as well as the educational, research and recreational opportunities that the island can offer.
I am encouraged that over 300 students across four academic levels from the NUS Architecture Department have responded to our call for ideas, and participated in a year-long project to study the ecological, historical and cultural elements of Pulau Ubin. From these studies, they sought to understand the island’s significance to the Pulau Ubin community as well as to Singaporeans at large, and have suggested planning and design ideas to preserve and improve these distinctive traits of Ubin to allow more Singaporeans with diverse interests to enjoy the island. I am thoroughly impressed by the amount of ground work, by the amount of research, by the amount of creativity and forward-looking energy that they have put into the project. The students’ diversity of views and depth of imagination add yet another dimension to the trove of suggestions that we have received.
Pulau Ubin holds a special place in the hearts of Singaporeans. This is why even as we collect ideas on Ubin’s rustic future, we want to celebrate the present with people who love the island. In fact, just over the weekend, fifty locations across the island have made it to the SG Heart Map, which is a compilation of places which hold the most significance for Singaporeans. It is not surprising that Pulau Ubin has made it to the list.
In addition, since the last successful Ubin Day in November last year, many community groups have come together again to organise another Ubin Day in June this year. There will be many activities all over the island, whether it is kayaking, hiking, planting trees, taking a nature walk, bird watching, mountain biking, visiting the fish farms, temples and other heritage sites or just being amazed by the greenery and sense of history the place provides. I look forward to meeting you there.
I would like to thank all the students, teachers, supporting partners, and sponsors for making this exhibition possible. Congratulations to all our students for your tremendous hard work. I am sure you have gained many useful insights, had lots of fun, and forged many friendships during this endeavour. I hope you will continue to participate in such programmes, share your ideas, and get involved in the process of creating a liveable and sustainable city for Singaporeans. As we celebrate Singapore’s 50th birthday, your contributions will go a long way to making Singapore a better home in the next 50 years and beyond.
Thank you.