Speech by 2M Indranee Rajah at the Singapore Institute of Planners 8th Planning Award Presentation and Gala Dinner
Sep 22, 2023
Mr Djoko Prihanto, President of Singapore Institute of Planners,
Mr Thomas Lee, Immediate Past President of Hong Kong Institute of Planners,
Ms Siti Noraida, President of Malaysian Institute of Planners,
Ladies and Gentlemen
Introduction
A very good evening to all. Thank you for inviting me to join you this evening for the Singapore Institute of Planners’ 8th Planning Award Presentation and Gala Dinner. Let me start by congratulating the award recipients – a big round of applause for them.
History and Importance of Urban Planning
Urban planning is the blueprint that shapes the way we live, work, and play in cities all around the world. Urban planning is a very ancient thing – from the ancient empires of Mesopotamia to modern and cosmopolitan cities like New York and London, urban planning is not about just organising buildings and roads, but also the art and science of creating communities, shaping cultures, and influencing the lives of people in profound ways.
Take for instance, the ancient civilisation of Mesopotamia. That was the civilisation that saw the birth of urban planning 5,000 years ago. It was driven by a need for efficient resource management and trade facilitation, because that was the beginning of civilisation, with trade, commerce, business. So they needed to organise it. Mesopotamian cities were meticulously planned with organised streets and a centralised administrative hub. This centralisation of power and governance in turn influenced the development of systems that maintained order and organised resources within the city. At the same time, the well-planned streets, squares, and communal spaces fostered a sense of community by encouraging social interactions and public gatherings.
Beyond influencing the way societies are organised, urban planning also shapes cultures and ways of thinking. For those of you who have visited New York, you’ll know that it’s laid out in a grid. That kind of easily navigable layout promotes efficiency and mobility within the city. That, I believe gives rise to the culture in New York of constant movement and hustle. This is one reason why New Yorkers are often known for their fast-paced lives. I don’t think you can divorce this from the city planning.
On the other end of the spectrum, you have the ancient city of Petra, capital of the Nabatean Kingdom. Located in modern-day Jordan, it is characterised by its seamless integration with the natural landscape as the city was carved directly into the rose-red cliffs of southern Jordan, giving rise to its other name, the “Red City”. The entrance to the city is not a straight route, it follows the Rift Valley. It's a zig zag. And if you ask yourself, why do they do that? A city planner had thought about it, and the reason why they did that, is that it would force any enemy approaching the city, to walk in a zig zag. And it was very difficult to get back out, because you could drop blocks behind them and trap them in a zig zag approach. When you go in, there is their Treasury building, that was carved into rock. Then they have buildings and a central colosseum which was an entertainment area, and they also have a sports area. So, thousands of years ago, some city planner thought about this, and did the planning and layout.
So, the role of urban planners in organising cities, people, and culture cannot be understated, and all of you should be proud that you come from a long and important tradition of planners and will continue to shape cities and cultures in the years ahead.
The Singapore Story: How Urban Planning has Shaped Singapore
Similarly, urban planning has shaped Singapore into what it is today – a bustling and world-class metropolis with multiculturalism, pragmatism, and efficiency as core pillars of our culture. This was not without its challenges – as a small city-state without large hinterlands, land is a precious and finite resource in Singapore.
In stewarding our land and planning for Singapore’s future, our planners recognised that optimising our limited land to achieve a well-planned and liveable city was essential for Singapore’s success. Our early planners planned creatively, to navigate the trade-offs and challenges brought about by rapid urbanisation, such as social inequality and environmental concerns. They were empowered to think beyond the immediate horizon, and they designed visionary, bold and radical plans. They also stewarded our scarce land resources prudently to retain the flexibility to continue reimaging and reshaping Singapore for future generations.
Today, Singapore is known for its exceptional urban planning, infrastructure, and quality of life. This has shaped our culture, our people, and the way we organise ourselves.
For instance, the move to house a nation in public housing served many purposes. The Government studied the experience in other countries and designed unique policies that allowed us to build affordable and high-quality HDB flats with racial integration and common spaces, such as playgrounds. Besides greatly improving living conditions, it also allowed us to optimise the use of our limited land. Today, we have one of the highest homeownership rates in the world and a culture of neighbourliness as the shared facilities promote community bonding and socialisation.
At the same time, the way our estates are planned and organised, is going to have great relevance to our ageing society. Because if we want to have our parents and grandparents age in place, we must have estates that are planned to have the facilities we need from the time we are born till the time we get old For a nation that is going to be one in four aged 65 and above by 2030, that’s very important.
Land scarcity also did not limit our planners’ imagination. We have made innovative use of land, such as the world’s first offshore landfill at Pulau Semakau, and tapped on underground spaces for utilities, rail lines, roads, and underground pedestrian links. These innovations reflect a culture of pragmatism and adaptability in Singapore.
There are several other examples of the transformational impact of urban planning as well. As we look around Singapore, we see a modern city skyline, inclusive and accessible housing, lush and verdant green spaces, well-connected public transport networks, and more. These have shaped a nation that values growth, efficiency and orderliness, environmental consciousness and appreciation for nature, as well as harmony amongst a culturally diverse population.
Evolution of Urban Planning in Singapore – The Role of Public Engagement
Our planners need to keep up with the times. Amidst acute land pressures and a changing social landscape, we must recognise that Singaporeans also increasingly want to play an active role in shaping their environments. We want to take in their feedback, and with your expertise, incorporate that in what you do. As such, public engagement is an important component of the planning process.
Taking a citizen-centric approach towards planning for Singapore allows us to better understand the different aspirations of current and future generations of Singaporeans. At the same time, it brings stakeholders together to better understand each other’s concerns and perspectives, as well as to weigh the trade-offs in making difficult decisions. So we may need to invest more time and effort in upfront engagement, but these will bear fruit in more robust plans downstream.
Last year, we concluded the Long-Term Plan Review, which sought to understand Singaporeans’ aspirations for the next 50 years and beyond. In our conversations with over 15,000 Singaporeans, they shared the hope for Singapore to be a distinctive and endearing home with greenery and waterways safeguarded for current and future generations.
We need to keep this in mind as we embark on the review of the Master Plan, which guides Singapore’s development over the next 10 to 15 years. As part of the review, we welcome suggestions and ideas from the public in developing our vision for Singapore. I look forward to you contributing your thoughts and ideas to the Master Plan Review.
Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships
The complexity of urban planning means it cannot occur in isolation, but requires close partnership across diverse stakeholders. Through collaboration across public-private boundaries and engagement with stakeholders from diverse domains, our planners can bring the best of their respective experiences and expertise to the planning table to innovate and problem-solve.
For example, the public sector can share the macro perspective on Singapore’s land use decisions and constraints, while the private sector can contribute their creativity and the latest best practices in the industry. Together, our planners along with key stakeholders, such as architects, engineers, geographers, sociologists, and more can design plans that are feasible and practical, and ensure that outcomes are implemented cohesively.
I was heartened to view the concept proposals that SIP developed for the Paya Lebar Airbase area, in collaboration with URA and the Singapore Institute of Architects, at the Long-Term Plan Review exhibition last year. This is an example of how collaboration across domains can result in an exciting plan for the future of Paya Lebar Airbase as a new generation town anchored on heritage, liveability, inclusivity, and sustainability.
I want to thank SIP for encouraging these essential partnerships. SIP fosters networks for public and private sector planners as well as professionals from different domains to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and collectively strive for excellence.
On this front, the new joint award by SIP and the Hong Kong Institute of Planners for Excellence in Planning exemplifies how planners from both cities can learn from one another and build upon each other’s innovative solutions to tackle increasingly cross-cutting challenges that face highly urbanised cities.
The Government remains committed to strengthening public-private partnerships in reimaging the Singapore of tomorrow. Our planners, in close collaboration with stakeholders, will help shape a vibrant and dynamic home for all.
Advancing the Planning Profession
SIP has also been instrumental in nurturing talent and promoting excellence in urban and regional planning. This has contributed to the vibrancy of the planning profession.
So I would like to congratulate SIP on your new Singapore Institute of Certified Planners (SICP) professional planning certification which will see its inaugural batch of candidates be certified in mid-2024. I understand that the candidates have recently completed their year-long examination preparation course and will be sitting for the written examination next month and oral assessment in the first half of next year. Best of luck to all of you.
The SICP marks a major milestone in SIP’s 10-year development journey towards the certification of planners, and it is a key outcome of the 3-year strategic industry roadmap for SIP. I’m heartened to hear it has come to fruition and will contribute to the advancement of the planning profession. Our agencies such as Design Singapore Council, Enterprise Singapore, URA, HDB and JTC, are all supportive of this endeavour, and have partnered SIP in developing this certification programme.
On it’s part, the Government will continue to work with SIP and other like-minded institutions to further develop the expertise and know-how of our planners, so that we remain current and flexible in addressing the challenges of today.
Conclusion
Allow me to conclude. Through history, urban planning has played a crucial role in organising cities and shaping societies. Singapore’s urban transformation story from a port town to a global metropolis is no different, and a remarkable example of meticulous and effective long-term planning. Urban planners have shaped civilisations around the world and through the ages, and our planners must remember the far-reaching impact that your work can have on its people.
Always take a long-term view and not be afraid to explore visionary, bold, and imaginative plans. At the same time, continue to develop new skills, networks, and collaborations. This way, we can continue to meet the new challenges and opportunities of the future.
Thank you once again for inviting me and I wish you all a very good evening.