Speech by 2M Indranee Rajah at the Urban Design Roundtable, "Shaping Liveable Cities Through Urban Design"
Nov 13, 2024
Introduction – The Power of Urban Design
I am delighted to join you at the opening of the Urban Design Roundtable.
Urban design impacts all of us, every day. It shapes the spaces where we live, work and play, bringing life to our city and making it distinctive, dynamic and memorable.
Urban design is also a force for well-being. Well-designed green spaces, pedestrian-friendly streets and open areas can enhance our mental and physical well-being – reducing stress, promoting physical activity and fostering healthier communities.
When urban design is done well, we often do not notice the thoughtful decisions behind it.
Take, for instance, the direct walking routes through developments like Change Alley at Raffles Place – this has a special significance for me, as I used to work there and I remember Change Alley when it was nothing like it is today; or when you view corridors at UOB Plaza or One Fullerton that create visual connections to the Singapore River and Marina Bay. All of this did not happen by chance. It happened by deliberate design. Our urban designers put them in place to allow us to better orientate ourselves in the city and make getting around on foot so much more intuitive, so as to create a more liveable urban environment.
That is the invisible power of urban design – thoughtful planning that harmonises movement, nature, and people in an urban environment, so that we can enjoy our City in Nature around us.
Urban planners, architects and designers have the critical task of balancing functionality, comfort, and community in our environments. I am glad that this Urban Design Roundtable has brought together such a diverse group, allowing us to learn from one another in our journey to shape sustainable, vibrant and liveable cities.
Singapore’s Urban Design Journey and Approach
This year, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) celebrates its 50th anniversary, making it a fitting time to reflect on Singapore’s urban design journey over the past five decades.
As a land-scarce city-state, we face the unique challenge of planning for the needs of a country with limited space, which pushes us to innovate and think creatively. By necessity, we have planned for a compact city, where our dense urban environment makes urban design essential in ensuring a good quality living environment for all Singaporeans. Our approach to urban design also includes building resilience against environmental challenges. We integrate carefully planned drainage and green corridors to help manage flood risks, while our shaded walkways and urban greenery reduce the effects of urban heat.
Let me share four guiding principles for urban design that continue to shape Singapore’s urban environment:
One, Contextual Design: Urban design should integrate buildings and spaces thoughtfully into their surroundings, respecting the area’s natural, historical and cultural features, as well as the lived experience of its community. In Singapore, we use these guidelines to shape distinctive districts, such as Orchard Road and Kampong Gelam, enhancing the distinctive character of each area, while maintaining authenticity within its geographical and cultural context.
Two, Connectivity: We aim to create spaces that allow seamless and comfortable movement across work, home and community areas. This means providing all-weather walkways, better last mile connectivity and more extensive public transport infrastructure. In fact, a distinctive feature of our urban landscape is our extensive network of covered walkways that link our homes to key transport nodes and amenities.
Three, Community-centric and Inclusive Spaces: Public spaces should welcome people of all ages and abilities, fostering a sense of belonging and social connection. A good example is the privately-owned public spaces, or POPS for short. URA encourages developers to create lively spaces with shelter, seating and useful amenities such as mobile phone charging spots. This approach has resulted in well-loved public spaces at Guoco Tower, Asia Square and Paya Lebar Quarter, or PLQ.
And four, Inspiring and Delightful Spaces. Beyond functionality, cities should spark joy and wonder. By integrating natural water features like the Singapore River and Marina Bay, we have created vibrant waterfront precincts for shared memories. Schemes such as LUSH, or Landscaping for Urban Spaces and High-Rises, also encourage developers to provide for sky terraces, rooftop gardens and observation decks within their projects, bringing nature closer to residents, even in built-up locations.
Marina Bay is a good example that encapsulates the four principles that I just mentioned. With low-rise buildings at the waterfront and skyscrapers in the background, the area offers a cosy, intimate experience at the waterfront, while showcasing our skyline as a dramatic backdrop. Restaurants with outdoor dining areas, public spaces and a boardwalk with public art and seating encourage people to linger and enjoy the ambience. Through urban design, Marina Bay has become a truly special space for all.
Launch of the Singapore urban design guidebooks
Today, I am excited to launch our new Singapore Urban Design Guidebooks – the first comprehensive documentation of our city’s urban design journey. These guidebooks encapsulate our shared vision for an endearing home and a globally appealing city. They are a culmination of a decades-long effort by URA, partner agencies, professionals, and communities to establish a strong foundation of urban design for Singapore.
This valuable resource also features case studies of Singapore’s urban design achievements and their impact over the years. I hope that you will find them both insightful and inspiring.
Conclusion
The work of urban designers is never complete. As our city evolves, we will continue to face new challenges. Gatherings like today’s Urban Design Roundtable are opportunities for us to think boldly and creatively about shaping spaces that foster community and inclusivity, leaving a meaningful legacy for future generations.
I wish you a fruitful and productive discussion. Thank you.