Friday December 02, 2005

Singapore government discovers new urbanism

Just got this in the e-mail. Looks like the Singapore government has discovered "new urbanism", moving away from planning for ever-expanding motor vehicle traffic to focus on walkable neighbourhoods and cycling. The Feedback Department is now collecting opinions on this from the citizenry.

This is quite interesting, especially from a peakoiler's perspective. Apparently, concerns about the environment, energy and resource usage are all part of this movement. Did somebody from gov.sg look up Jim Kunstler while they were at it?

feedback.gov.sg :

Between the transport issues (such as speed limit policy, pedestrian mobility, bicycle and motorcycle usage, traffic noises), environment issues (such as self sufficiency in water, energy and resource usage, a built urban city-state) and housing issues (such as safe spaces, bomb shelters, linkages, community spirit), the Physical Development Group has identified the common aspects of 'safety' and 'health'.

ENVIRONMENT

E1. Make Singapore a More Humane and Safer City
Singapore is a small city-state where movement of cars must be slowed down by reclaiming part of the land presently occupied by roads to reduce the road widths to make way for lanes for cyclists, roadside planting, making footpaths wider, and discouraging traffic intrusion in areas where it is not required. Optimise the use of the mass transportation network.

E2. Singapore Can Be Self-Sufficient in Water
The total annual rainfall in Singapore is 4 times its annual consumption. By way of a comprehensive network of inland reservoirs, underground reservoirs, coastal reservoirs, and off-shore reservoirs, it is more environmentally friendly to collect and conserve wholesome rainwater to enlarge the island's water resources.

E3. Link between Energy/Resource Usage and Environment
Energy used in generating electricity emits carbon dioxide which is the principal cause of global warming. And much of the electricity generated in Singapore is used to air-condition buildings. Singapore, set in the tropics, should thus capitalise on the inexhaustible source of solar power to air-condition our buildings instead of solely relying on electricity.

E4. City planning and Urban Built Environment
Urban planners should show greater consideration for people and pedestrians by providing a walkable and user-friendly built city with inter-connected buildings that shields from the tropical environment, or sky terraces utilized at lower levels to connect buildings and enhance safety, mobility and convenience of the public ... [continued]

(2005-12-02 11:09:57 SGT) [Env] Permalink

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