The first Recreational Masterplan of Singapore* drew attention to integrating the concept of "Play" in our urban fabric. The plan-in-motion highlighted three key focuses in increasing urban liveability and inclusivity for an endearing home. They are: (1) An Island of Green, Blue and Fun, (2) Everyday Play-ces, and (3) Involving Community in Play. While these interventions support the other goals and objectives of Singapore's overarching "City in Nature" vision, the recreational masterplan is equally essential in providing necessary public spaces for people to rest, relax and share positive engagements – akin to unwinding during a happy hour. Thereby enriching the tropical city’s urban fabric, accumulating the social capital and enhancing the collective well-being of our places.
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Our Well-being for All research has defined 5 scales in which urban play can be implemented. They are Regional, Town, Neighbourhood, Precinct, and Building. Using one of the three key areas that outlines the recreational masterplan as reference, An Island of Green, Blue and Fun, viewed from the well-being lens, can be seen as a regional-scale perspective. Blue-Green infrastructures and spaces in Singapore are strategically designed to bolster climate resiliency as well as to contribute to ecological and biodiversity corridors. In ever-growing metropolitan cities, these spaces can be harmonised into land-use planning to present dynamic placemaking opportunities.
A relevant example is the Marina Barrage*. Beyond functioning as Singapore’s biggest urban freshwater reservoir and providing additional flood control solutions, the dam structure is designed as a slow mobility link that connects the 2 sides of the basin. Other recreational activities like dragon-boating, kayaking, and canoeing are conducted at the reservoir to bring people together. The Green Roof of the Marina Barrage also doubles up as a scenic, unblocked panoramic spot favoured by locals for picnics and kite flying. These outdoor experiences, combined with the Sustainable Singapore Gallery located within the Marina Barrage, reinforce the sustainability steps taken by the country and the benefits of being green.
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More urban design methodologies can be utilised at the Town-Neighbourhood scales when private practitioners convene with top-down decision makers to facilitate “Everyday Play-ces”. Described as bringing more recreational spaces closer to homes, the decentralised approach reimagines standard built environment templates to create self-sustaining towns and neighbourhoods. Public spaces are thought of as conduits to attract groups of people through for eg. a shared interest.
In Chinatown, the rooftop of Singapore’s largest hawker centre Chinatown Complex, is actually a free-access public basketball court. Popular among basketball players who work around the district*, casual games and matches are often spectated by residents of the surrounding mature housing blocks. The shared experience – whether from playing together or watching the game – can enliven and influence more delightful public environments. Ultimately, connecting diverse groups based on common interests in equitable settings and deepening local social cohesion*.
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Enabling play in cities encourages people to reexperience places in a different light*. Rather than relying solely on policies to incite playful moments, we at WY-TO believe that communities should be empowered to inspire their natural state of play.
In 2023, commissioned by the Singapore Night Festival (SNF), we designed a temporary installation, aimed at engaging with all walks of life. The interactive, light-emitting installation, A Stone’s Throw (Away), garnered crowds during the 2-week-long festival to interact with one another in illuminating the entire installation. Our installation transformed a green space under the Banyan tree rooted outside the National Museum of Singapore, into a vibrant, short-term play area. Groups of strangers came together and activated “the stone” for a photo opportunity in commemorating their SNF experience. The project demonstrated how creative placemaking can transform static public spaces into lively, memorable areas.
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Embedding joy in urban environments requires envisioning how our shared, common spaces can be explored to enrich the so-called 'software', an intangible aspect of any city. By placing People at the centre of designing public experiences, as urban practitioners, we can curate memorable touchpoints in the built environment that welcome all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to shape their ideal play-ces. Over time, this human-centric approach nurtures an elevated Heartware that instills a sense of belonging and trust across diverse communities. Hence, creating Happy Hour(s) in our cities.
