GARDEN CITY !?!

[RafflesCity]

The luxuriant greenery that Singapore enjoys today is no accident of nature. Neither did our Garden City happen overnight. It took some 40 years of strong political will and the sweat and toil of many to sustain the effort.
Singapore’s development into a Garden City started four decades ago with the establishment of the greening programme. The driving force behind this was the former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew who identified a green Singapore as a key competitive factor in attracting foreign investments to the country. It was the then Prime Minister Lee who launched the Tree Planting Campaign in 1963. Some 40 years on, the Government is just as committed to the programme.

THE INITIAL YEARS...


In 1976, the Parks and Recreation Department under the Ministry of National Development was formed to take on the task of greening Singapore. As much of Singapore’s streetscape and developments were devoid of greenery, the key focus was to green up the island in the shortest time possible. This urgency resulted in the transplanting of “instant trees”. Fast-growing indigenous trees were thus selected with Angsana Trees taking the lead because they are shady, fast-growing, easily available and easy to maintain. Other species were the Rain Tree, Yellow Flame and Ketapang. Planting of free-flowering trees and shrubs such as the colourful Bougainvilleas then followed as part of efforts to adorn the green landscape with swathes of colour.


At the same time, road codes were developed to ensure that adequate planting areas were provided along new roads. This ensured planting verges along major and minor roads.

Not to be overlooked were paved areas such as car parks which were required to be planted with trees to attenuate the heat of the extensive asphalt surfaces. In addition, concrete structures such as flyovers, overhead bridges and retaining walls were covered with creepers such as Ficus pumila and climbers, and screened with shrubs and transplanted trees to provide visual relief from the built environment.

In the city, parks were developed to provide “green lungs” for people working in the urban commercial areas. Meanwhile, developers of residential areas were required to plant roadside trees and set aside land for open space. The island-wide park development programme was also accelerated to cater to the diverse recreational needs of the population. Under this programme, existing old parks were improved upon and many new ones were developed.

ENTER THE GARDEN CITY...

The 80s saw Singapore enjoying the fruits of the Government’s concerted efforts to green up the island. As Singapore made considerable progress on the economic front, so did its reputation as a Garden City.

Meandering tree-lined roads interspersed with lush parks and gardens created a unique green ambience that drew accolades far and wide.
Not one to rest on its laurels, the Government then embarked on a programme to fine-tune the green programme for quality as well as ensure efficient management of resources in maintaining this tropical oasis.

As part of on-going efforts to enhance the island’s green ambience, planting policies were focused on provision of shade along walkways and roadsides. To create a garden effect, fruit trees, flowering and fragrant plants were planted in parks, residential suburbs, schools and in the grounds of institutions such as hospitals, police stations and community centres.


Because of competing land uses for residential, industrial and commercial developments, creative urban planning came into play to ensure optimal usage of land. Park planning had to factor in elements such as location of population centres and accessibility. At the same time, park designs had to be innovative, stimulate creativity as well as capture the imagination of the community. Where natural assets existed, they were capitalised upon and enhanced. Where they were lacking, much effort was put into creating an identity to provide a point of differentiation that will appeal to a wide spectrum of the population. This included installation of sculptures, challenging playgrounds and creating habitats to attract wildlife such as birds to the parks.



PS: This thread has been redone up, with pics from various forumers reposted to the first page. The original Garden City thread has been archived.

[RafflesCity]

MAINTAINING OUR GARDEN CITY TODAY...

Currently, Singapore has 2618 ha of parkland and 2360 ha of roadside greenery. Today, the National Parks Board (NParks) is the agency spearheading the maintenance of the Garden City and manages over 280 parks. NParks is also the custodian of Singapore’s Nature Reserves, and as Singapore’s Scientific Authority on Nature Conservation, monitors and coordinates measures to ensure the health of designated nature areas. Despite competing land needs, the Government has set aside space for parks, trees and greenery. Under the Concept Plan 2001, 4400 ha of parkland will be set aside when Singapore’s population reaches 5.5 million.


NParks continues to improve upon a quality urban environment. NParks is in the process of developing the Streetscape Greenery Master Plan aimed at accentuating and providing distinctive landmarks in our future landscape. To complement the lush streetscape greenery, NParks’ greening approach is now moving upwards through the greening of rooftops and sides of high-rise buildings which helps to ensure optimal land use as well as improves the environment for quality living.


However, even as Singapore moves towards greater urbanisation, it is imperative that the green ambience that has played a significant role in the social and economic development of this island is preserved. The Heritage Trees Scheme is aimed at conserving the trees that have been maturing gracefully while the Heritage Roads Scheme seeks to preserve roadside landscapes with beautiful mature trees and greenery.


In tandem with the growing needs of an increasingly sophisticated population, NParks continues to develop new parks and upgrade existing ones to ensure that they remain relevant to park users. As part of efforts to ensure that parks and open spaces are within easy reach of the community, a comprehensive network linking major parks and nature areas is currently being developed. When completed, the park network system of parks and park connectors will span some 360 km and enable the population to explore the island through one continuous green network.

by Teh

[RafflesCity]

LOOKING AHEAD...


Over the years, NParks’ mission has evolved from realising a vision for a Garden City to creating A City in a Garden where the island’s seamless green infrastructure of parks and streetscapes play an essential part of Singaporeans’ lives, homes, workplaces and playgrounds. NParks is committed to building enduring partnerships with corporations and the community to initiate programmes and activities that will inspire a love for the environment. Moving forward, NParks aims to progress beyond providing green infrastructure to creating recreational experiences and lifestyles in our Garden where we live, work and play.


SKYRISE GREENERY

Singapore, like many other highly dense cities around the world, has begun to create a three-dimensional garden for our urban environment. Like Chicago, Toronto, Tokyo and Germany, we have incorporated landscaped rooftop gardens and other forms of skyrise greenery in our urban landscapes. In recent years, both private and governmental projects have increasingly reflected these elements.


As the custodian responsible for providing and enhancing greenery of the Garden City, the National Parks Board (NParks) continues to improve upon a quality urban landscape. In tandem with urban intensification, NParks has also stepped up greening efforts to maintain the greenery and lushness of the urban environment. NParks’ greening approach has been moving upwards through the greening of rooftops and sides of high-rise buildings, which allows optimal land use, and improves the environment for quality living. Urban dwellers or pedestrians can thus still appreciate greenery at ground-level, or at rooftops, in spite of urban intensification.

[RafflesCity]

[RafflesCity]

Some pics found online (http://kamleung.com/triplog/0206spore/singapore_03.htm)




Shrubbery is planted along overheard pedestrian bridges, and purple bougainvillea are a favourite:



View from Fort Canning Park:

[RafflesCity]

Official website: http://www.sbg.org.sg






Source:http://mjbryan.com/FosbergD

[RafflesCity]

Streets are often lined by trees

by hyacinthus

[huaiwei]

IF SOME OF SINGAPORE'S OLD TREES WERE ABLE TO SPEAK, THEY WOULD HAVE SOME INTERESTING TALES TO TELL

Historical roots

By Crystal Chan

THEY are ageing and fat, but highly cherished. And each year, their numbers are growing.

Now, there are 36 of them and each receives special treatment under the Heritage Tree Scheme, which was set up in 2002 by the National Parks Board (NParks) and HSBC.

No excavation is allowed around the roots of these trees, all of which have interesting pasts or unique characteristics.

Metal conductors ensure that lightning will not strike them.

And to make sure that no one mistakenly hurts them, plaques will be placed in front of them to establish their historical significance.

They can be found across the island, and include a Flame of the Forest in Fort Canning Park, an angsana tree in Upper Serangoon Road and a bodhi tree in Pearl's Hill City Park.

But conservation is just one facet of the bid to preserve Singapore's natural heritage. Equally important is to educate the community on the need to protect these trees.

And to get the public more involved, community groups, corporations, schools and individuals are invited to nominate trees for conservation to the Heritage Tree Panel.

Nominees must be at least 30 to 40 years old, of impressive size and with a girth of about 5m, and possess historical, cultural or educational value.

Last Thursday, six of these Heritage Trees were picked and dedicated to the biggest donors of the Garden City Fund, which finances reforestation and conservation efforts, as well as research and education programmes implemented by NParks.

Today, we tell the stories of six Heritage Trees.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RAIN TREE, FORT CANNING

OF SOUTH American origin, the umbrella-shaped rain tree - widely planted for shade - was introduced here before 1876.

The 36m-tall rain tree in Fort Canning Park is over 70 years old and with a girth of about 6.5m. It is near the Keramat where Sultan Iskandar Syah, a ruler of Temasek - the name by which Singapore was once known - is said to be buried.

The tree's leaves fold up at dusk (its Malay name is Pukul Lima or five o'clock) or before a shower.


MADRAS THORN, FORT CANNING


NATIVE to tropical America, the Madras thorn was introduced here early in the 20th century.

Widely planted around the 1960s, it lost favour because the tree was a magnet for caterpillars.

The one at Fort Canning Park is 25m tall with a girth of 7.4m.

Its flowers are greenish white.

Birds feed on the rose-red seeds, which are covered by thick white sweet pulp, and so, help to disperse the seeds.



BODHI TREE, PEARL'S HILL

IN PEARL'S Hill City Park, a peaceful green retreat near Chinatown, this bodhi tree stands 18m high with a girth of 6.2m.

Also known as pipal trees, bodhis are deciduous trees with long-stalked, heart-shaped leaves that are pinkish when young.

The bodhi tree is sacred to Buddhists. Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha, is said to have achieved enlightenment while meditating under a bodhi tree next to Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya, India.



FLAME OF THE FOREST, FORT CANNING

NATIVE to Madagascar, the Flame of the Forest was discovered by Austrian botanist Wenzel Bojer who took it to the island of Mauritius in 1820. Its seeds were distributed throughout the tropics from Mauritius and brought to Singapore around 1840.

The 10m-tall specimen at Fort Canning has a girth of 3.4m and is the largest Flame of the Forest Singapore has known. It is about 50 years old. Fast growing, especially in the first 10 years, this deciduous tree has a broad umbrella-shaped crown.

The common name derives from the flaming-red flowers that crown the tree when it is in full bloom and may cover it for weeks at a time.

These blooms are one reason for planting the tree. Its spreading crown also makes it a good shade tree for parks and open spaces.

But in its native habitat, the Flame of the Forest is believed to be in danger of extinction because of deforestation.



ANGSANA, UPPER SERANGOON

THIS giant took root in Upper Serangoon Road, between Woodleigh Park and Woodleigh Close, about 60 years ago.

One of the biggest roadside trees here, at 21m tall and 7.7m in girth, it was nearly felled in 2001, when it was threatened by the widening of a nearby drainage channel. The latter was realigned under the road surface and the tree was saved.

The angsana's yellow flowers last only a day. Then they rain down, creating brilliant yellow carpets on the ground.

[huaiwei]

Tree facts

Where are the Tree Conservation Areas?

The area bounded by the PIE, AYE, and Dunearn, Whitley, Mount Pleasant, Thomson, Lornie, Clementi, Pasir Panjang, Telok Blangah, Lower Delta, Alexander, River Valley, Fort Canning and Selegie roads.

The area bounded by Loyang Avenue, Loyang Way, Upper Changi Road North and Netheravon, Cranwell and Changi Village roads.

What are the penalties for cutting down, without National Parks Board permission, trees above 1m in girth in a tree conservation area?

Under the Parks and Trees Act, anyone doing so could be fined up to $10,000. NParks could also seek compensation.

Have there been convictions under the act?

Last March, DTZ-Debenham Tie Leung Property Management Services was fined $8,000 for the felling of a 150-year-old hopea sangal in the Changi Tree Conservation Area, and paid the State $76,035 compensation.

How do I nominate a tree for the Heritage Tree Scheme?

The nomination form is on the NParks website ( www.nparks.gov.sg ).

Are Heritage Trees legally protected?

In areas managed by NParks or Tree Conservation Areas, they are protected by the Parks and Trees Act and the National Parks Board Act. Elsewhere, the intention is to encourage voluntary nomination by land owners, who will retain ownership of the trees and their care.

Which is Singapore's oldest tree?

The two Tembusu Heritage Trees in Botanic Gardens are estimated to be over 100 years old.

Which roads are named after local trees?

Kranji, Tampines, Seraya, Nemusu and Keruing roads are named after trees found in Bukit Timah and Central Catchment nature reserves.

Why were the Heritage Road and Heritage Tree schemes started?

As Singapore develops and progresses, it becomes increasingly important that its sense of identity in the physical landscape is retained. One way is to conserve some of the more scenic and significant tree-lined roads.

-- Source: National Parks Board

[RafflesCity]

[RafflesCity]

by teh

[RafflesCity]

by teh

[RafflesCity]

by encon



Man-made waterfall at Jurong BirdPark. Pic by Ray

[RafflesCity]

[RafflesCity]

by encon

[RafflesCity]

by hyacinthus

[redstone]

If I took a photo from my block, people might think that I live beside a forest!

[RafflesCity]

[RafflesCity]

I heard that SIngapore has this plan where as many parks as possible in HDB estates and so on will be linked by park-connectors that run along/underneath expressways and across canals. They will be lined by trees and allow you to cycle as well. Sounds like theres plenty of nice green places to walk along for exercise/losing weight

[heirloom]

i think there's this park connector at bedok reservoir.. its really too dark. very scary. should have brighter lights.