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| Photo: National Parks Board |
Of course this wasn't always so and in the earlier days of the Republic there were large expanses of concrete and tall buildings. The tall buildings remain but now they are more likely to have been designed with the environment in mind - green roof tops, solar and Eco-friendly.
With a population of 5 million people occupying a small land mass of 268 square miles it is not surprising that land use, water use, energy efficiency, green building and waste management are major preoccupations of government. Bare roof tops and concrete surfaces act as heat sinks, making Singapore’ surban areas 3% hotter than the rural ones.
To the country's credit they have set very ambitious goals. Those who live in Singapore are well aware of the seasonal flooding that continue to plague the city. It might result in some great post-flood bargains in Lucky Plaza but it is soul destroying for the shop owners.
A Government appointed panel who have been studying Singapore's flooding woes has recommended that building owners be required by law to build green roofs. These will soak up large amounts of water which otherwise find their way into the over worked storm water drains.
Porous pavements and local storage tanks are two more of the proposed solutions.
Singapore never does anything by halves. When it sets out to do things it set high goals and aims to achieve them. The greening of Singapore's buildings is no exception. The goal set by the Building and Construction Authority is to green 80% of buildings by 2030. As only 12% of its buildings have been greened to date htis will be quite a challenge but I am sure they will reach their target. Government continues to fund research into green technologies though its $22 million incentive programme, GREET (Grant for Energy Efficiency Technologies).
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| Photo: National Parks Board |
Presumably root crops will be discouraged as the thought of a carrot growing downwards through one's ceiling would be rather off-putting, but nevertheless a conversation starter.
But it is not just the government and buildings that are taking up the green challenge. The local shipping industry has a Maritime Singapore Green Pledge which shows commitment to clean and green shipping. Singapore ships that exceed the International Maritime Organisation's Energy Efficiency Design Index are rewarded with tax deductions so there is a real financial incentive for doing so.
Electric cars and green mobile apps. are also under development, so it is literally 'Green for Go' in Singapore in the year ahead.
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