A City in Nature

Today, Singapore has many green spaces supporting the island’s biodiversity and ecological functions. They also provide spaces for recreation so that we can unwind with nature. With careful planning, Singapore can continue to strengthen its natural capital while meeting development needs.

A City in Nature

Communities, researchers and nature groups are key partners in the stewardship of our green spaces. They contributed to the Long-Term Plan Review by enhancing the following strategies:

Multi-functional green spaces

Provide multi-functional green spaces to support the well-being and needs of residents.

Science-based approach

Use a science-based approach to plan for key ecological corridors and green spaces, while ensuring sensitive development of new areas.

Nature-based solutions

Develop nature-based solutions to sustainably manage Singapore’s ecosystem.

Building on these efforts, over 30 engagement sessions were held with nature groups to further conversations on specific development areas.

Providing green respite near homes

Since 2021, a total of 130 hectares of new parks have been added islandwide. The Park Connector Network has also expanded to 391 kilometres, including 75 kilometres of the Round Island Route. By 2030, there will be more than 25 new parks and more than 50 kilometres of additional park connectors.

Residents can look forward to new green lungs islandwide, such as at Farrer Park, Spottiswoode, Woodgrove and Teachers’ Estate. Many more parks are also under study to offer new opportunities for relaxation, recreation and well-being.

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Parks for Health

Green spaces for wellness

Immersing in therapeutic landscapes, gardening or walking in nature can enhance physical and mental wellness. The Parks for Health initiative introduces more convenient and conducive green spaces to reap the restorative benefits of nature.

Enhancing parks with lush vegetation and natural landscapes

The National Parks Board (NParks) has identified 15 sites to enhance the mental well-being of visitors. New and redeveloped parks will be curated and designed with science-based interventions, such as the Contemplative Landscape Model, to enhance their visual quality and the experience of park visitors.

A contemplative landscape at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park. (Source: NParks)

Integrating more therapeutic landscapes

Estate and neighbourhood upgrading programmes will introduce more landscapes such as therapeutic gardens. Upcoming healthcare establishments, such as the Kaki Bukit Polyclinic (SingHealth) and Lentor Health Nursing Home (Kaki Bukit) at Jalan Damai, will integrate green spaces designed with amenities to better support patients’ needs too.

Inclusive agility course at a therapeutic garden in Punggol Park. (Source: NParks)

Making green spaces more accessible and conducive

Park connectors in areas where more seniors live will have additional rest points. These will lower barriers to outdoor physical activities and provide more spaces for social interactions.

A rest point along Alexandra Park Connector. (Source: NParks)

Extending the restorative benefits of nature

Green spaces will be meaningfully activated through more programming and nature-based experiences with the help of care partners and community groups such as the Nature Kakis Network. The ongoing collaboration with the National Healthcare Group will also extend therapeutic horticulture programmes to facilities such as active ageing centres and nursing homes.

Therapeutic horticulture induction training for Nature Kakis Network's volunteers. (Source: NParks)

Science-based approaches to developing green and blue spaces

NParks carried out an Ecological Profiling Exercise (EPE) to understand how green spaces in Singapore function as biodiversity refugia and support ecological connectivity. The findings have been used to enhance the ecological connectivity in these areas by safeguarding and adding parks, nature ways and park connectors.

Establishing nature corridors

The new Kranji Nature Corridor will connect core habitats at the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat Nature Park, along Sungei Mandai and Sungei Pang Sua. Green and blue spaces along the corridor will offer visitors more ways to experience nature.

Source: NParks

New park to safeguard marine ecosystems

There are plans to designate a new marine park at Lazarus South and Kusu Reef. Since July 2024, NParks has been engaging with nature groups to study the proposed boundaries. When ready, the park will become Singapore’s second marine park, following the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park.

Kusu Island. (Source: NParks)

Forest at Lazarus South. (Source: NParks)

Developing nature-based solutions

In some projects, natural elements are harnessed to enhance the environment and sustainably manage ecosystems in Singapore. For example, waterways and waterbodies have been naturalised to bolster flood, coastal, and ecological protection.

Alkaff Lake. (Source: PUB)

Clean, green and vibrant waterways

The Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Programme was launched in 2006 by Public Utilities Board (PUB). By integrating drains, canals and reservoirs with the surrounding environment in a holistic way, the programme creates beautiful and clean streams, rivers and lakes, providing postcard-pretty community spaces for all to enjoy. Thus far, PUB has completed 57 ABC Waters projects around the island.

Alkaff Lake's terraced wetlands. (Source: PUB)

Alkaff Lake is a first-of-its-kind, multi-functional stormwater management infrastructure. It enhances flood protection for the nearby Bidadari estate and the surrounding areas. In dry weather, it looks like a regular lake and part of a public recreation space. During heavy rainfall, the lake retains stormwater and gradually releases it into drains, reducing the risk of flooding.

A viewing deck by the lake. (Source: PUB)

Alkaff Lake incorporates several ABC Waters design strategies, such as integrating terraced wetlands and swales with drainage infrastructure. A nest shelter and large viewing deck also extend over the water to offer panoramic views of the cascades!

Greening our buildings

Since 2009, the Landscaping for Urban Spaces and High-Rises (LUSH) programme has helped our high-rise environment grow greener.

The initiative by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) requires new developments to replace greenery displaced from the site in the form of on-ground and sky-rise greenery, such as sky terraces, roof gardens, planter boxes, green walls and more. This makes for a greener city which is also more liveable, by mitigating urban heat, managing stormwater and supporting biodiversity.

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Vertical greenery at Pan Pacific Orchard. (Source: Finbarr Fallon)

Communal sky terrace at CapitaSpring. (Source: Finbarr Fallon)

Enhancing the integration of nature into the urban environment

We encourage building owners and developers to adopt the following good practices islandwide:

• Higher replacement greenery provisions, beyond the current LUSH requirement of 30-40% of site area.

• At least 50% of proposed planting palette to comprise species native to Southeast Asia, to support local biodiversity and maintain a healthy ecosystem.

• Provide multi-tiered planting (mixture of trees, shrub and ground cover) within the development site.

Artist’s impression for illustrative purposes only. (Source: GuocoLand)

The upcoming Springleaf Residence has adopted some of these good practices by introducing an extensive selection of flora to create micro-habitats, green-roofed pavilions and cocoons to support certain native species of butterflies and birds. There will also be a corridor of native trees and plants that extends the adjacent Springleaf Forest into the residential area.