Singapore Waterfront
Key Challenges and Opportunities in Waterfront Development
Singapore’s waterfront, like other urban bodies of water around the world provides a link between humanity and nature in the city. In an era of accelerated urbanization where increasing number of people are living in cities, the regenerated waterfront with an almost universal attempt to achieve public access to all parts of the public realm and urban life. The presence of the river, harbour and other natural bodies of water close to the city center is a unique and robust aspect of the city’s character. The government of Singapore and the Tourism Authority sees the development of the waterfront as an opportunity to enliven the tourism industry and to provide residential and business spaces for a compact country such as Singapore.
The development of the waterfront, however, had challenges. One of these challenges was to find a way to encourage cooperation between different actors (public and private organizations, local and national governments, people in the community). Making these actors commit to the development plans was also a challenge.
Development Strategies
1. Connectivity and Transportation
The waterfront was built with a very designed transportation links. In Marina Bay, for example, major malls and hotels are all interconnected by covered walkways and pedestrian bridges, making it easy to get around with minimal exposure to the elements. Singapore have focused on revitalizing the transportation links in tourists spots such as Orchard Road, Chinatown, Malay Quarter, Little India and the waterfront areas along the Singapore River. The pedestrian precincts of Boat Quay and Clark Quay developed along the cleaned-up Singapore River are popular alfresco dining spots.
2. Heritage Conservation
One of the goals of the waterfront development is to conserve Singapore’s heritage. Heritage conservation is seen as a way for Singapore to attract tourists. More than economic objectives, heritage presents opportunities for building a sense of place and identity. In 2001, The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) released a concept plan that aims to conserve the heritage of Singapore’s waterfront. According to the URA, heritage conservation can aid in the achievement of its goals to make a dynamic city, a thriving business hub that can hold its own in the global playing filed. Singapore is envisaged to become a city that is distinctive with a unique identity that is recognizably its own, a city that is delightful with energy, excitement and entertainment. Preserving, Singapore’s heritage has a major role in this goal. Place identity and heritage are firmly introduced as a key thrust of Singapore’s urban development strategy.
The trend towards cultural tourism creates the economic potential in the preservation and restoration of historic buildings and landscapes. This is seen in the revitalization of Boat Quay and Clark Quay.
3. Sustainable Development
As part pf the urban development strategy and preservation of Singapore’s heritage, construction in the waterfront incorporated in its development vision of a dynamic, delightful and distinctive city which is bound up with heritage and conservation. In Singapore, sustainable development of the waterfront is not just reclaiming the physical fabric but increasingly being defined within the urbanism framework of dynamism, diversity and distinction where tradition and evolutionary growth of a place are respected and enhanced in the quest for local place identity.
4. Participation of Public and Private Organizations
5. Role of Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)
The URA acted as the implementation agency. As the implementation agency, the URA proposed conservation programs which include:
1. Mixed-se development to create diversity and bring back people to live by the river.
2. 600 m-long promenade along both banks of the river to encourage pedestrian movement and access to the river.
3. Open spaces along the river to create focal points.
4. Improved transport links including pedestrian bridges and boat landing points within the area and to adjacent areas such as Orchard Road, Chinatown and central business district.
The URA is concerned with the hardware of heritage conservation and preservation of buildings. The URA acts as the coordinator of all the plans, projects and efforts in the development of the waterfront.
6. Branding and Strategic Positioning (Marketing)
Tourism is one of the largest industries in Singapore. Singapore is a very popular tourist destinations in the world. As tourism is an important industry in Singapore, in terms of employment, business activity and being an income generator, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is continuously looking at potential avenues to make Singapore a competitive destination. Singapore cannot compete with other countries for natural attractions or beach resorts, and neither does it have mega theme parks. Unlike countries in which the capital city provides gateway to other national attractions, Singapore’s tourism lies squarely with urban tourism.
Singapore has a global city status which makes it a strong tourism brand. Singapore is positioned as a city where visitors can live, work and play – a city with diverse attractions. Singapore’s Waterfront plays an important role in the positioning of the city as a tourist destination as most of the city’s attractions can be found in the waterfront.
Management Models
1. Centralized vs. Localized
The management of the waterfront development is centralized, meaning, any development project cannot be undertaken without the prior permission of appropriate public authorities. A centralized planning process was instituted to optimize specific land uses.
2. Integrated vs. Functional
The involved organizations in the redevelopment of the waterfront are integrated and spearheaded by the government of Singapore. These organizations have their own functions in the development process.
Urban Development Authority – national planning and conservation authority that coordinates the overall planning, development and implementation, master planning, planning study, conservation guidelines and manuals, development guide plan, and development control.
Ministry of Environment – drainage department, drainage matters, riverbed and river wall repair, river clean-up
Singapore Tourism Board – tourism promotion authority, development of tourism product and promotion
Port of Singapore Authority – port authority, controls boat and water taxi license
Parks and Recreation Department, Ministry of National Development – develop, plant and maintain trees and parks, landscaping along the riverbank
Land Office – state land authority, controls land lease
3. Public-Private Partnership
The success of the development plan lies in the coordination and cooperation of different actors. The government encourages help and support from public and private organizations. People in the community are also encouraged to take part in the process.
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