Introduction

When Singapore became independent in 1965, we were a poor island state.  The infrastructure was inadequate. The standard of living was low.  Housing conditions were very poor.  Then, 25% of the population lived in just 1% of the land, and up to 100 people would inhabit a single inner city shophouse.  

Today, we have become a thriving metropolis and cosmopolitan hub-city. Singapore is a modern and efficient state; a clean and green city. The business district has a signature skyline. We have a world-class airport, an expanding rapid transit system, an efficient port and other infrastructure.  Our people live in good homes, integrated with amenities such as schools, parks, recreational and leisure facilities. 

This transformation is the cumulative result of many actions we took over the years.  We strengthened law and order, invested in education and housing, systematically developed infrastructure, pursued sound economic policies and brought in foreign investments which created jobs and raised incomes. 

One important reason we were able to do all this was because of our integrated approach towards developing our city.  Our planners took a meticulous and long term perspective in planning land use.  They ensured that various facilities were integrated for maximum convenience and synergy for our people.  They safeguarded scarce land for diverse needs and optimized it for the best usage. The Govern­ment had to make tough and unpopular decisions, and it did. But as a result, we remade the city and turned our dream of a quality living environment into reality. 

Competition Amongst Cities

Despite Singapore’s success in city-building over the last three decades, we cannot afford to slacken.  All over the world, cities are competing for the best global talent and businesses.  Every government, every city knows that in the era of globalization, being clean, functional and efficient is not good enough if you aspire to be a global city. 

Established cities like London, Berlin, Rotterdam, Barcelona and Sydney have been remaking themselves as distinctive urban centres. Others such as Manchester, Glasgow and Bilbao are actively refreshing their images and raising their international profile. Closer to home, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Shanghai have been upgrading infrastructure, greening their cities, and developing iconic buildings.

But ultimately, what determines a great city is that extra “x-factor”.  You cannot quite explain it, but you know it when you arrive in a city that has it.  It is the quality that brings pride to the people living there and at the same time excites visitors.  The outlook is globalised and cosmopolitan. You immediately feel the vibrancy and excitement, the opportunity and optimism.  You want to work and play all day and all night, because there is too much to see and do, and the city never sleeps.

Role Of Urban Planning and Design

I believe that just as urban planning and design has contributed to our development thus far, it will also play an important role in our next phase of development.   But its role in future will be qualitatively different.

Singapore is already developed and built up, so there is less scope for redeveloping land to be used more optimally, unlike in the earlier days.  Moving forward, what should distinguish our city is boldness, experimentation, setting new standards and pushing new frontiers.  We have to find ways to unleash the creativity and energy of our people. Sometimes this could be at the expense of efficiency, and like all bold measures, will involve taking some risks.  But it is the only way to catch the attention of the world, and stand a chance of acquiring the ‘x-factor’. 

Some people believe that all these are matters of ‘Fengshui’. I am not an expert, but neither am I against receiving help from powerful sources. Good fortune is always welcome. But taking a more pragmatic view, the government needs to come up with imaginative concepts and implement the right policies to upgrade our city into a truly exceptional metropolis. I suggest that we take the following approaches:

First, we need to adopt newer and bolder development concepts.  Let us not be afraid to be ambitious.  Let us do more to tap the creativity of the private sector. We have done this successfully before.  We turned an old colonial post office building into a top class hotel.  We developed a world-class arts centre.  Its design is controversial – some people think it looks like durians, some think it looks like the eyes of a bug.  But over time, many have grown to like it. It has put Singapore on the world map of arts and cultural entertainment, and may one day become as distinctive and widely recognized as the Sydney Opera House.  We are trying out a new method of development for the new financial district downtown.  We are releasing substantially bigger plots of land, to give private developers the scope and flexibility to plan and integrate amenities, exercise their creativity, and explore even more outstanding and eye-catching designs.

Second, at the more micro level, we need to constantly review and relax our building rules.  By imposing fewer rules and constraints, we give building owners, architects and designers more room to express their ideas.  For example, we have relaxed the guidelines on outdoor kiosks and refreshment areas. As a result, Outdoor Refreshment Areas are flourishing along Orchard Road, and the streetscape has become livelier. Another example is the new techni-coloured façade of Wisma Atria, which became possible with the new guidelines on building facades.  Building control regulations have also moved from a 'one size fits all' prescriptive approach to a performance based one. Designers can now come up with alternative designs as long as they satisfy certain performance outcomes. 

Third, we should actively promote good design. Design will play an increasingly important role as an avenue for conveying the image of modernity, vitality and elegance.  We will learn from other countries and cities.  We will work with the schools, the universities and the creative industries. 

URA has embarked on a series of initiatives to promote architecture and urban design excellence through exhibitions, talks and publications. It will contribute $3 million to kick-start a programme to co-sponsor design promotion activities with the private sector. We should recognise good practices in the design industry. To do so, URA in conjunction with other agencies is considering introducing a new top-level design award.

Fourth, we should go for excellence but not ostentation or false grandeur. Being bold and willing to experiment does not equate to opulence or extravagance.  We are a city state, confident of our place in the world, but also conscious of our need always to make that extra effort to stay ahead.   We are not an empire, collecting tribute from far-flung dominions. We do not need to build monuments to ourselves, to glorify our achievements or overawe subject peoples.  We will pursue architectural excellence, develop interesting buildings and urban spaces, but with proper regard to practicality, functionality and efficiency. 

Occasionally, we may invest in something major, like the Esplanade. That was a heavy investment, but we are gradually seeing the spin-offs and the returns in terms of more visitors, more tourists, and a higher standard of cultural performances.   It is like the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, a spectacular titanium-skinned structure that is bringing many more tourists into Bilbao and has put the city on the world map.  The museum’s success has resurrected Bilbao’s civic pride.  I had never thought of visiting Bilbao before, but now I am curious about the museum and perhaps may make a trip there one day.

Conclusion

Shaping Singapore is a long process.  We will develop our city progressively and gradually.  The great cities of the world, like London, Paris and Rome, took generations or centuries to develop.  These cities have buildings from many periods. They are the result of organic growth as well as urban planning. It is like a garden, which takes many years of patient planting, shaping and settling before it matures and displays its full richness and diversity.  If every plant is transplanted at one go the garden will look fake and manicured.  Likewise, if we try to build a city all at once, the result will be shallow, and will soon show its age.  If we guide our city to grow organically, it will bear the charm and cultural imprints of many generations of Singaporeans.

In this endeavour, the Government, urban planners, property developers, architects, engineers and contractors all have to work together.  Today, I am happy to open the Shaping Singapore exhibition and the newly-revamped City Gallery. Shaping Singapore showcases 30 years of planning and urban design efforts made by the URA in collaboration with its partners in creating the city of modern Singapore. It also offers a glimpse of what Singapore will be like in 30 years’ time. It illustrates how, in spite of Singapore’s land constraints, our planners have made it possible for us to build Singapore as our best home.

I am happy to now declare open, the Shaping Singapore exhibition and the City Gallery.