In the 2025 review of Singapore's masterplan* by URA, of the four themes, two of them closely relate to strengthening Nature's participation in guiding the land development plans for the next 10-15 years. They are: Strengthening Urban Resilience, and Stewarding Nature and Heritage. Consistent in both as part of URA's long-term plan is the integration of Nature-based Solutions as a measure to minimise inland flooding and manage land expansion.
Nature-based Solutions, or NbS for short, is an umbrella term for actions that protect, restore, and sustainably manage natural ecosystems to address societal challenges like climate change, water and food insecurity, and disaster risk – as defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The methodology, while officially formalised around the millennuium, has seen increasing attention globally as the way forward for city sustainability*.
We at WY-TO believe that central to shaping future-ready and resilient cities is the application of NbS. Hence, to further contextualise through the lens of the built environment, we conducted and consolidated more literature research across the areas of Climate, Social and Economic. Accordingly, giving rise to our definition:
They (NbS) are frameworks of strategies and adaptive actions inspired by Nature that aim to protect, sustain, restore and regenerate ecosystems, natural resources, and biodiversity within the urban environment. While addressing global challenges in the domains of Climate, Food, and Economy, implementing NbS enable different communities to thrive holistically. These include flora and fauna, and other living species, to continuously benefit and flourish sustainably. Thereby shaping resilient, future-ready urban settings across scales for the highest possible quality of life, in achieving Well-being for All.
One NbS commonly seen in action in Singapore is the nurturing of Green Lungs like urban parks, nature reserves, etc., as a carbon sequestration technique to regulate temperatures, reduce air pollutants from industrial activities, vehicles, and more. Thus, providing a conducive outdoor environment for people. Other derivatives can include active landscaped roofs, bioswales and rain gardens, artificial wetlands and street trees.
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Echoing the strategies of Regenerative Design and as an applied example is the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park by Ramboll Group. In converting a conventional grey drain system into a naturalised stormwater river body*, the urban park has increased surface permeability to alleviate sudden influx of water volume into main discharge drains during high rainfall. The previously flood-prone area now sees a significant improvement from inland floods, while extending its purpose as a landscaped recreational third place for nearby residents and communities.
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Our Well-being research believes that the advantages of engaging NbS in city planning far exceed climate risk management and place resiliency. The resultant set of ecosystem services from nature-inspired design strategies can enhance our liveability through:
Collectively, they can enable mutual ecological and economic benefits in our urban experiences. Thus, empowering well-being.
As part of Singapore's vision mandate to achieve "City in Nature", NParks commissioned a Team of experts consisting of Henning Larsen, LAUD architects., and WY-TO, among others, for a trail connection between the key identity corridors of Singapore's 24km Rail Corridor and the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Home to rich biodiversity and different native arboreal species and wildlife relying on the nature network, WY-TO is tasked with leveraging our narrative design expertise to highlight the importance of safeguarding this natural capital.
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Our Team based our research and thematic curation on the archives unearthed. These materials inform relationships shared with the reserve and the topography. Further research on the trail told a lesser-known story of Singapore's history and revealed even more intricate connections in the short 5km ecosystem. For example, the adaptive reuse of one of the disused quarries saw itself transformed into a water retention pond that also frames a scenic geology view of the 2nd highest peak in Singapore. It has also become a recreational pitstop for nature lovers as well as a quiet respite for communities.
Other than public initiatives as part of a Nation's agenda, NbS can also be implemented at different scales by private developers and diverse stakeholders.
Completed in 2024, Arborescence, located at Angers, France, is a 35m tall vertical garden that demonstrates how architecture can be innovatively conceived to seamlessly blend Nature into built environments. The mixed-use scheme proposes balancing local urban density challenges with the abundance of landscaped terraces on all levels. Accordingly, the architecture morphology is sinuous in form – similar to a tree. The organic canopy layers enable the expansive terraces to receive natural light and flourish as living green buffers. Beyond the provision of fresh air, soft barrier privacy, and absorbing noise, these vegetated biodiversity strips also contribute to reinstating an ecological corridor at urban scale.
An open-soil central garden is strategised as part of a self-reliant thermal regulator year-round for the ensemble. In summer, the garden reduces surface runoff while intensifying cool island effects. Thus, enabling cool breeze to be circulated throughout the 3 compact massings that unfold in a wide South-facing facade. This positioning is further leveraged in the winter months for the garden's maximum solar gain. The soil now functions as a thermal mass, absorbs sun radiation in the day and gradually releases heat at night. Thus, regulating drastic temperature swings – a common occurrence in cold climates. Thereby allowing inhabitants optimum comfort in both outdoors and indoors, without being overly reliant on active systems throughout the seasons.
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In times of climate uncertainty and ever-changing conditions, NbS present a calibration opportunity for robust urban frameworks that are agile and resilient. The perspective of enlisting Nature and ecosystems as valued partners guides more holistic, considered design. Thereby initiating interdependent, reliable sustems that are outlined by reciprocal relationships for the collective good to thrive in future-ready environments.
