Context and policy overview
Water, and in particular water scarcity, has always been at the helm of Singapore’s national policies since its independence. Over the years, Singapore has become increasingly water resilient through careful policies, planning and innovations in the water sector. The journey from scarcity to sustainability has involved the integration of water policies and the holistic development of water infrastructure in tandem with urban development.
A shift in planning paradigms in the late 1980s saw the authorities experimenting with the idea of integrating waterbodies with urban development by enabling the dual use of waterways as recreational space as well. Initially, these efforts were largely premised on the need to improve the aesthetic appearance of the waterbodies and waterways, as seen in the work of the Waterbodies Design Panel in the early 1990s. However, more recent efforts have sought to transform the entire island into an urban water catchment, in line with broader plans to develop and manage water resources sustainably. At the core of these policies was a move to include the public in the management of these important water resources, in part to ensure the long-term sustainability of the resource.
In 2006, the Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters Programme was launched by the PUB, the national water agency. This initiative aimed to transform waterways and waterbodies into beautiful urban assets, integrating these drainage infrastructures with the built environment while bringing people closer to water. The programme showcases the role of water in urban spaces and demonstrates how water is a vital ingredient in the development of liveable cities.
Implementation
Concrete waterways are necessary features in Singapore’s highly developed urban landscape, as they perform the crucial function of transporting storm discharge in limited urban space. Through a comprehensive network of drains, canals, and rivers, rainwater is collected and channelled to the reservoirs before its treated for drinking water.
However, due to the nature of Singapore’s climate, these numerous concrete canals tend to be empty and thus very unattractive during dry seasons. Over time, planners saw the role of waterways and waterbodies expand beyond their drainage function and have formulated plans accordingly to tap the potential of these waterways to enhance the urban development.
Recognizing the need for public involvement from early on for the success of the programme, PUB embarked on demonstration projects at various locations (Kolam Ayer, Bedok Reservoir, MacRitchie Reservoir) to prove the feasibility of the programme. These projects were crucial in gaining early support from political leaders and convincing the pubic of the programme’s potential by showcasing how utilitarian concrete canals could be turned into beautiful, recreational spaces while still managing drainage needs.
A flagship project under the programme was the rejuvenation of the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park in 2009. Prior to the launch of the ABC Waters Programme, the park was a typical green space constructed to act as a buffer between the residential estates of Ang Mo Kio New Town and Bishan New Town. The park was bounded on one side by a 2.7 km-long concrete canal for drainage and flood control during heavy downpours. In 2009, plans were set in motion to naturalise the linear canal into a meandering river, and in doing so, create a seamless blue-green network with new community spaces. The National Pakrs Board (NParks), a separate agency with the mission of manage and enhance the national parks, suggested to combine the resources and budgets of both agencies for both the rejuvenation of the park and canal.
Today, the park is a bustling community hub, with spaces for tai chi, picnics, and recreational activities. Whereas residents were previously separated from the park by a utilitarian concrete canal, they are now able to go down to the river to play with the water and fish for guppies during dry weather. A community-initiated butterfly habitat has also been created, where the planting of butterfly-attracting plants has attracted butterflies of many different species.
Strong of the success of the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, which re-opened to the public in 2012, the programme has continued to rejuvenate waterways and green spaces around the city. New sites are developed annually, contributing to the water sustainability and resilience of the city while enhancing the liveability for Singapore’s citizens.
Barriers and factors critical to success
On of the key factors behind the success of the ABC Water programme was strong stakeholder engagement from the very beginning. The programme brought together communities, institutions, and the private sector under a coordinated effort. Even before the official launch in 2006, a dedicated team was set up within PUB to oversee the planning and collaboration with other agencies, including the Housing and Development Board (HDB) and the National Parks Board (NParks).
This inter-agency approach ensured that the necessary expertise and resources were available to seamlessly integrate water features into new urban developments. The 3P (People, Private, Public) Network also played a vital role in the public engagement strategy, helping PUB gain widespread public support. This support from other agencies was crucial as the programme sought to integrated various landscapes seamlessly and this required not only effective coordination with other agencies, but also their expertise. As the project would inevitably extend beyond the boundaries of PUB’s drainage reserves, there was a need for other agencies to work with PUB to formulate the initial plans.
Another very important factor critical to success, was the fact that the programme is holistically linked to the city’s stormwater management strategy and the Singapore Liveability framework, which outlines a development strategy for Singapore while balancing high quality of life, competitive economy, and sustainable environment.
Beyond the private sector, PUB also looked externally for research partnerships and towards cities that had implemented similar programmes successfully. A learning exchange was conducted with Melbourne Water to look into their case studies of successfully executed Water Sensitive Urban Design. The exchange with Melbourne Water was highly useful for drawing up technical plans for the ABC Waters Programme, and convinced PUB’s engineers of the potential of these techniques, even though many of them had been skeptical of the use of bioengineering treatments for waterways
Results and lessons learned
The early success of signature projects, such as Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, led to wider implementation of ABC Waters sites in tandem with drainage improvement works. By, more than 100 projects around the city have been completed. All projects were conceived taking into account various factors from a multi-disciplinary perspective, such as land-use plans, demographics, hydrology, as well as historical and cultural considerations. Careful, measured steps ensured the successful formulation and implementation of the ABC Waters Programme. PUB also had the foresight to learn from past lessons and worked to ensure that the programme was overseen by a dedicated team over time.
Several important lessons emerged from the programme:
- Institutional Frameworks: A dedicated team and strong governance structure were crucial for the long-term success of the initiative.
- Public Engagement: Involving communities from the outset built public support and ensured the sustainability of the programme.
- Inter-Agency Collaboration: Effective coordination among various public agencies was vital for aligning the ABC Waters Programme with broader urban development plans.
- Innovation: Integrating waterways into urban spaces and experimenting with bioengineering treatments enhanced the role of water in improving urban living.
These lessons showcase Singapore’s successful approach to balancing urban development with water sustainability, creating a model that continues to inspire cities worldwide.
