Koh, TC;
(2008)
Does the urban planning of Singapore contribute to environmental sustainability?
Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
Singapore's government has always pride itself for adopting sustainable development principles since its independence. This study aimed to find out whether Singapore's urban planning is indeed contributing to environmental sustainability. First, the city-state's input-output streams were analysed to assess the possibility of it achieving environmental sustainability. Then the interactions between these streams and Singapore's urban planning were examined to determine whether the latter contributes to environmental sustainability in these streams. A set of criteria was also used to assess the contribution of Singapore's urban planning as a whole to the environmental sustainability agenda. Besides desktop research, interviews were conducted with planners and architects to seek their views. It was found that Singapore's urban planning does contribute to environmental sustainability in certain input-output streams, and has done relatively well in protecting the environment for future generations, generating environmental benefits at the macro country level, minimising the use of resources, and capitalising on the multi-functionality of green and open spaces. However, Singapore's small landmass limits its ability to become fully environmentally sustainable, and also constrains the extent which its urban planning can contribute to environmental sustainability. In some areas, urban planning either plays a secondary role or has to be supplemented by technology, regulations and public education. To better contribute to environmental sustainability, Singapore's urban planning should explore ways to reduce energy consumption, protect more nature areas, encourage adaptive re-use of old buildings and closed landfills, and develop Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) for its land use plans and related policies. Nevertheless, it is recognised that it will take time to implement more environmentally sustainable urban planning and to increase the awareness of this concept amongst Singapore's planners. It is hoped that the government's upcoming strategies to achieve environmental sustainability would include a thoughtful review of its urban planning's objectives.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Title: | Does the urban planning of Singapore contribute to environmental sustainability? |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Thesis digitised by ProQuest. Third party copyright material has been removed from the ethesis. Images identifying individuals have been redacted or partially redacted to protect their identity. |
| UCL classification: | |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1568270 |
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