GARDEN CITY !?!

[RafflesCity]

http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/text/2009/pr09-73.html

Green space opens at Dhoby Ghaut for community gathering

A new public space above Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station, named the Dhoby Ghaut Green, was officially opened today by Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of National Development.

Located along Orchard Road and at the gateway into the Arts, Culture, Learning and Entertainment district of Bras Basah.Bugis, Dhoby Ghaut Green is envisioned to be another popular community and gathering focal point that will add a fresh vibe to the city centre as a choice venue for community events, celebrations and performances. It also offers respite for those who are seeking a quiet space in the bustle of the city.

The Dhoby Ghaut Green is developed by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and will be handed over to the National Parks Board (NParks) for management and maintenance. It is designed by Mr Chan Soo Khian of SCDA Architects Pte Ltd. Mr Chan was commissioned by the URA to conceptualise and design this space after he won the Designer of the Year title in Architecture and Urban Design in 2006 at the inaugural President’s Design Award, the nation’s highest honour for excellence in design.

Said Mrs Cheong Koon Hean, CEO, URA, “URA sees the importance of encouraging good design in our public spaces and infrastructure as part of our efforts to make Singapore an attractive city and endearing home. With the completion of Dhoby Ghaut Green, we hope it will not only make our built environment more attractive and delightful, it can also enrich our everyday experiences and improve the quality of life in our city.

A place designed for the community

Dhoby Ghaut Green is the latest addition to the variety of open spaces that have been created within the city through the URA’s Public Spaces and Urban Waterfront Master Plan. This plan aims to inject more vibrancy into our city centre through spaces such as parks and open plazas within commercial developments which provide platforms for community gatherings and events.

Showcasing its versatility as an ideal venue to enhance and enrich community life, the opening of Dhoby Ghaut Green was celebrated with a line-up of exciting activities such as a family-themed carnival, handicraft street bazaar, line-dancing and series of captivating presentations by the stakeholders in the nearby Bras Basah.Bugis area. These included a performance by Samba Masala, a percussion ensemble of the Singapore Management University (SMU), a ballet performance by children from the Little Arts Academy, a jazz performance by undergraduates from LASALLE College of the Arts, and a “green” fashion parade choreographed by students from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts featuring outfits made from recycled materials.

An integration of three distinctive zones

To conceptualise a space that would best meet the programming needs of stakeholders and end-users, URA and NParks organised several dialogues with arts and community groups, education institutions in the district and event organisers to seek their feedback at the early design stage.

The design of the park reinforces its natural landscape by dividing the area into three main zones, each characterised by a distinctive atmosphere to suit different uses:

Within the middle parcel sits a 250-seat sculptural amphitheatre inspired by the natural lines of a rattan basket. Two forecourts to the amphitheatre act as gathering spaces and double up as venues for other community activities.
The gravel area at western parcel is densely shaded by the existing trees, providing a tranquil environment that contrasts with the bustle of the surrounding cityscape.
The eastern parcel is an open turfed field set aside to accommodate outdoor sports activities. Conveniently located on the northern side of the field between both exits of the Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station is a café offering indoor and alfresco dining experiences.
In the spirit of it being developed as a community project, corporate sponsorship opportunities were earlier made available to allow the business community to contribute towards this open space. One company that came forward to show its support was iGuzzini SEA Pte Ltd, an Italian architectural lighting specialist, which sponsored the park’s lighting fixtures.

An exciting line-up of events

Going forward, Dhoby Ghaut Green is all set to be abuzz with a hive of activity. On NParks’ plans for the park, Ms Peggy Chong, DCEO (Corporate Planning and Services), said: ”The pocket park with its distinctive design will be a welcome respite for visitors and those working and living in the area. To enliven the green space, we will work with partners to organise a series of arts, cultural, and heritage themed activities and events that will create memorable recreational experiences for its visitors.”

Some of the partners that NParks is working with to fill up the venue’s calendar include Little Arts Academy, Noise Singapore with the National Arts Council (NAC), Urban Clap with Central Singapore CDC, Singapore Street Festival, and SMU.

Organisations interested to partner NParks to stage events and performances at Dhoby Ghaut Green are welcome to contact Eugene Tan at email: Eugene_Tan@NParks.gov.sg. Interested parties who wish to organise private functions and events can also rent the space from 20 November 2009 onwards via the NParks website at www.nparks.gov.sg

[kurakura]

No bbq pits?

[Gid]

Junction of Orchard/Napier Roads...took this pic when walking back from the embassy

[Venycal]

Wow....I love this thread
Singapore is so green and beautiful....

[RafflesCity]

KTM greenery to be preserved: Khaw

18 Jul 11

THE iconic tracks of the KTM railway will be dismantled from today, but Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan assured the public that the lush greenery surrounding them will be preserved.

Walking the tracks with his family and pet dog Tammy yesterday evening, the minister added that after the tracks are dismantled, parts of the path will be reopened to the public again.

Speaking to reporters after the walk, Mr Khaw said there were many possibilities for housing development in the areas currently occupied by the tracks.

'But we will do it in a way where we can still preserve this green spine. I'm quite sure it can be done and it will be very nice. We can have urban development but still maintain the greenery,' he said.

The railways tracks will be dismantled and returned to Malaysia by the end of the year as part of the agreement between the two countries.

Mr Khaw said that his ministry had initially hoped to keep the tracks open to the public for two months before starting to dismantle them. But that timeframe was shortened because the contractors were worried that the dismantling could not be completed by the year-end deadline.

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_691868.html

[RafflesCity]

Green corridor master plan sought

27 Jul 11

SINGAPORE: The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said a competition will be organised for architects and design planners to come up with a master plan for the green corridor.

The corridor refers to the former Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) railway land.

URA said more details on the competition will be announced at a later date.

Also commenting on the corridor, the Minister of State for National Development, Tan Chuan-Jin, said the green corridor consultation group is still in the process of receiving feedback from members of the public.

He said that over the next two years, it hopes to engage a wide section of society on plans for the 26 kilometre track which stretches from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands.

The group comprising individuals from the URA and green groups will meet once every two months. The group comprises of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, National Parks Board, green groups like the Nature Society (Singapore), the Singapore Heritage Society as well as academics.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...143356/1/.html

[Linguine]

Nice thread.....thanks.

[RafflesCity]

Construction begins on Ecological Corridor

2 Aug 11



THE National Parks Board (NParks) and Land Transport Authority (LTA) held a groundbreaking ceremony late last week for Eco-Link@BKE, South-east Asia's first ecological corridor that will connect two nature reserves over the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE).


The Eco-Link is part of Singapore's efforts to conserve biodiversity in its urban landscape, and will connect Singapore's largest primary and secondary forests: the Bukit Timah and Central Catchment nature reserves.

The Eco-Link will join the two high points on opposite slopes of the nature reserves and will measure 50 metres at its narrowest point.

'These two nature reserves have been separated by the BKE for more than 20 years . . . When completed, the Eco-Link will enable animals, birds and insects to move freely along the connecting bridge, allowing for the effective exchange of native plant and animal genetic materials between the two nature reserves,' said Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister of State for National Development and Manpower.

Eco-Link will not only benefit wildlife; visitors will also be able to enjoy guided walks later. The option is currently being considered by NParks. However, for the first few years, access will be restricted to the public while ecological monitoring is conducted to assess its effectiveness as a wildlife corridor.

The total cost of the project is $17 million and it includes construction, survey, research and planting works.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/...50185,00.html?

[redstone]

Lovely idea!

[snhaetnhlaonncg]

u can really see how garden city sg is from ion sky where u can really see how the rainforest from the central catchement permeates between all the skyscrapers, creating a true city-in-a-garden

The proliferation of skygardens are another way our city is truly turning from a garden city to a city-in-a-garden

[Mith252]

News from 90 cents.


https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...16638864_n.jpg

source: The Straits Times