© CLC
Bottom-Up Resilience in Singapore
In order to achieve climate-resilient and liveable urban design, Singapore has numerous excellent projects. Developments of this nature appear to be mainly the result of top-down decisions, design and implementation. Yet things are starting to change. The Resilient Cambridge Road pilot project is an innovative Singapore experiment of engagement. Its goal: To distil, create and share knowledge on liveable and sustainable cities in the flood-and heat-prone area of Cambridge Road.
In accordance with Singapore's Climate Strategy, the Centre for Liveable Cities has initiated a collaborative partnership with 100 Resilient Cities. In February 2019, teams from various government agencies (including CLC, PUB, NParks, and URA) came together for a brainstorming session with the aim of identifying a location for a pilot project. After careful consideration, Cambridge Road Estate was chosen due to its vulnerability to flooding, as well as its historical track record of flood-related issues. This site holds significant potential and opportunities for the development of parks and recreational spaces that engage the local community, the creation of a robust network of green-blue infrastructure to improve connectivity, the implementation of traffic calming measures to enhance district safety, the repurposing of parking spaces for alternative uses, and the utilization of open areas for collaborative community hubs and spaces. In April 2019, DREISEITL was invited by CLC to attend and provide our expertise, support, and direction for a Multi-Agency Workshop.
DREISEITLconsulting GmbH
Community Participation, Teachings and Workshop, Water Sensitive Urban Design, Blue-Green Infrastructure
Location
Cambridge Road, Singapore
Collaborators
Government Agencies: CLC, PA, PUB, NParks, URA, HDB, LTA, MOE, MND, MEWR, and PMO, Participate in Design (P!D), Our Green MoCa
Client
Centre for Liveable Cities, CLC
Timeline
2019 - 2021
Status
Completed
Publication
Building Community Resilience, 2020, CLC
Topos Magazine, 2021
Building Community Resilience, 2022, CLC
The workshop's goal is to foster collaboration among various agencies, engaging in brainstorming sessions to explore potential ideas and craft a range of solutions for both communities and government organizations. This collaborative effort involves working closely with local communities to create tailored solutions for addressing climate change.
Ideas towards a Liveable Cambridge Road
The vision for Cambridge Road is to reinvigorate its streets and transform it into a destination that appeals to all Singaporeans. There should be a stronger focus on incorporating green elements into the neighborhood network. The character of each street and the presence of small green areas can exhibit diversity. Furthermore, this endeavor necessitates the community's commitment, resilience, determination, and affection for their neighborhood, encouraging them to take ownership and pride in their local environment.
Cambridge Road
Gallery for Generations
Use metal for the overhead structure to create a shaded, rhythmic canopy, while the gallery shares Lee Kuan Yew's stories for educational and historical purposes within the Cambridge Road Estate community.
Carlisle Road
Meandering along the edge
The narrow road, low traffic, and unique urban edge offer opportunities for engaging programs for families and communities. Adapting to the existing terrain holds potential for development, such as the use of undulating walkways to create an enjoyable and welcoming space for residents and visitors.
Norfolk Road
Gallery Promenade
Invest in surface structure along this stretch. By creating green pockets where chess tables to be introduced, interesting shapes of street furniture could be implemented, memory or historical information could be engraved onto the ground, introduce rain trees to create a cosy and cool atmosphere in a small space.
Back Alleys
Bringing people closer to water
Typical open drainage systems in rear lanes are often fenced off for safety. However, we can create opportunities for people to reconnect with nature and their childhood memories by designing setbacks with steps serving as seating areas and incorporating stepping stones for closer interaction with the water.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, on June 13, 2020, DREISEITL held a virtual workshop titled "Live Sketching Get-Together," organized by the Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC).
The event brought together key members from the Green Pek Kio Team, government agencies, and a selected group of Moulmein-Cairnhill residents to actively participate in the design and planning discussions for Cambridge Road Estate.
The workshop spanned 3.5 hours and included a dynamic combination of brainstorming, communication, sketching, and round-table discussions.
Throughout the design process workshop, various subjects were carefully considered, including Sustainability & Resilience, Mobility Infrastructure, Social Integration, Greenery, Art & Historical Memories, Blue & Green Integration (BGI), and Health and Wellness. The sketches were contributed by Pek Kio residents, MoCa residents, and fellow citizens from different regions of Singapore.
Since the Virtual Vision Workshop, the Cambridge Road neighborhood has shown consistent development even in the midst of the pandemic. This ongoing project is led by a dedicated team of Moulmein-Cairnhill residents and volunteers. This enthusiastic group remains committed to making a positive difference within their community and beyond. They firmly believe that, whether through significant strides or a series of small measures, it is crucial to begin the process of greening their neighborhood to ensure its resilience, sustainability, and livability for future generations.