Singapore Blue Map
A fraction of the 7000km of canals and waterways as seen on the Singapore Blue Map. The big plans are out for the Remaking of our waterways by PUB. See earlier post.
Here are my initial thoughts.
I do wish that the design features could be tied in to local context and sensibilities, natural, but not ornamental. Somehow government projects missed the point when it comes to addressing ground-level human or residents' needs. A case in point was the previous upgrading of the housing estates, where trees and green turf were replaced by new facilities like outdoor amphitheatre, concrete seats, tiled floors, etc.
Supposedly 'upgrading', but in what sense ? Perhaps they did a survey among the residents and acted in literal response to the answers. Or perhaps they just got second-grade consultants. While the physical environment was made more pleasent, there was no significant change in the lives of the residents. There was no community to use the outdoor theatre - and the weather was too bloody hot.
Waterwheels, waterfalls, and fountains may be good ideas in terms of representations as water features and landmarks. But they also suffersfrom a disjoint with our heritage and landscape. Have we got the digs and narration to back these up ? The entire Singapore River is devoid of such ornamental features. There are statues of playing children, lazing cats, and bullcarts, which forms a lovely addition and enhancement to the river, impressing on us the history of the river.
Overseas consultants may sometimes be unaware of our heritage and history. It would be very strange to find a European-inspired waterwheel at Sungei Ulu Pandan, for exampe. Sometimes simply re-introducing and encouraging the growth of eradicated aquatic species (like reeds, lilies, etc) along the river banks will draw awe.
The River Kwai in Kanchanaburi, Thailand is a beautiful river not because of its artifical decorative designs, but because all major aquatic plants can be found living and blooming healthily along its banks.
All in all, I think it is an amazing and visionary project. In 5 years, Singapore could be one of the paddling places to look out for!
Comments
Right down to the business of how you're hoping they'll preserve some essential local character instead of just turning waterfronts into pretty, but blandly generic park spaces, not unlike the decor in a nice shopping mall, but minus the Muzak.
Now of course that's way better than nothing, but how much cooler if those waterways were opened up for use while still looking uniquely New York-y (in my case) or truly Singaporean (for you)!
I think I hadn't said anything yet because I didn't even know where to start!
Things are coming along nicely here - in March 2008, the NYC Parks Department inaugurated the New York City Watertrail, which continues to sprout new put-ins every year; there's also lots afoot for other types of recreational boating too. The commercial crowd isn't entirely thrilled with this, but it's becoming more and more of an accepted fact that our formerly commercial harbor is now a mixed-use harbor, like it or not!
Also met with the local port authorities and they incidentally cited NYC as an example of 'chaotic waterways' they want to avoid, when rejecting my proposals!!
Like the phrase "mixed-use" - can I use that for future presentations to the local authorities?!