The Singapore ArchiFest 2024 featured the highly acclaimed *Singapore Pavilion, which was originally a part of the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023. The installation sought to pose thought-provoking questions which measure the lived experience of our cities and the need to address diverse preferences. Amongst many topics, it highlighted our relationship with nature in cities.
Resilient cities should ideally comprise of a comprehensive ecosystem involving humans, biodiversity, and the built environment.
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There are many ways to approach city planning and development, which can be seen even in the diverse typologies of tropical cities in Southeast Asia. In Singapore, the “City in Nature” concept is a goal that works towards achieving harmony with urbanscapes and greenery.
At WY-TO, it is our belief that resilient cities should ideally comprise of a comprehensive ecosystem involving humans, biodiversity,and the built environment. This goes beyond treating nature as an add-on to the city but to ensure that both are innately interdependent in mutually beneficial ways, to achieve optimal urban resilience. When green and blue networks are well-connected and ecologically balanced, this helps greatly in preserving ecological heritage to prevent the collapse of fragile ecosystems of local biodiversity. Such spaces also prepare cities for climate change. It allows nature to do what it does best by improving stormwater management, air and water purification, reducing greenhouse gases, and temperature regulation amongst others.
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When inclusive green and blue spaces are abundant in the city, increased encounters can not only help to grow the sense of connection and appreciation of nature, but can also foster social connection amongst communities. Parks and waterways become delightful places to meet people, strengthening social peace and harmony amongst neighbours. Both man-made and natural green and blue spaces like nature reserves, ponds, therapeutic gardens and waterscapes can function as places of respite, restoration and rejuvenation in the city.
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All in all, stewardship and thoughtful consideration for green and blue networks can ultimately promote the well-being of resilient communities, with strong relationships to Nature and a desire to improve the well-being of the planet for current and future communities.
