Nearly half of Singapore’s land is currently covered by green spaces, comprising 47% of the total city area.
In the past, rapid urbanisation had reduced green space to less than 40%, but Singaporean authorities took decisive action to address this issue. Efforts to expand urban greenery began in the 1960s, rebranding the city-state as a “Garden City”. Nowadays, it has preserved and reclaimed 78 km² of green space and plans to add another 10 km² within the next decade.
The nationwide reforestation has been remarkably successful, with 750,000 trees planted since 2020 alone. Furthermore, new public housing estates are required to integrate plants, green roofs, or hanging gardens, which help regulate temperature and enhance air quality. Each public space should be designed to possess 4.5 times more “leaf area” than its actual size, granting urban planners and architects greater flexibility to create innovative green designs.
A remarkable example of Singapore’s commitment to urban nature is Gardens by the Bay. The park has been named the city’s “green lung”, featuring 18 solar-powered Supertrees. These are iconic vertical gardens that symbolise Singapore’s innovative thinking, blending technology and nature. These structures, ranging from 25 to 50 metres tall, are designed to mimic the functions of real trees, providing shade, cooling, and sustainability benefits. Additionally, the gardens are home to orchids, ferns, and vines that generate energy for the park.
Singapore’s 370 km of parkway connections make it extremely easy to navigate between the green spaces, which also promote biodiversity and sustainability. These green routes further enhance Singapore’s resilience against climate change.
Moreover, many green roofs and gardens are designed to harvest stormwater runoff. This is particularly important as Singapore experiences heavy rainfall and has limited land for water catchment areas. The city’s use of green spaces aligns well with the Sponge City concept, which focuses on absorbing, storing, and reusing rainwater to manage flooding and enhance urban resilience. By integrating vegetation, Singapore reduces runoff and creates a more sustainable urban environment. One notable example of this is Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, which is situated near a river and also serves as a flood control system.
The Singaporean government, however, intends to make further improvements. There are ambitious plans to develop over 130 hectares of new parks and enhance approximately 170 hectares of existing parks with more lush vegetation and natural landscapes. Additionally, the authorities aim to design as many green spaces as possible so that every household will be within a 10-minute walk of a park.
Challenges and the future of green spaces
Despite its successes, Singapore faces challenges in maintaining and expanding green spaces. As the population continues to grow and land availability becomes more limited, balancing development with environmental conservation remains a delicate task. However, Singapore’s innovative approach to urban planning, combined with its commitment to sustainability, ensures that the city remains on the path to becoming even greener.
The future of green spaces in Singapore looks bright, with plans for further integration of nature into the urban landscape. Projects like the “Singapore Green Plan 2030” outline a vision for more green infrastructure, climate resilience, and a commitment to reducing the city’s carbon footprint. With continued innovation, Singapore is poised to remain a shining example of how cities can thrive while maintaining a strong connection to nature.
