wild places | wild happenings | wild news
make a difference for our wild places

home | links | search the site
  all articles latest | past | articles by topics | search wildnews
wild news on wildsingapore
  Today Online 26 Jan 05
Green, the colour of money
How NParks CEO convinced Govt to set aside 94ha for recreational gardens
Tor Ching Li chingli@newstoday.com.sg

FOR National Parks Board (NParks) chief executive Dr Tan Wee Kiat (picture), money does grow on trees. "Just look at nature 'cities' around the world such as Central Park in New York City: the real estate value around the park rises so much that you can really intensify the development around the beautiful piece of open space," he said.

That was the tack he and his NParks staff used to convince the authorities that dedicating 94 ha of prime waterfront land in the city to not one, but three recreational gardens was not a waste of space.

Of course, there was also the moral argument: All Singaporeans should own a piece of the new downtown at Marina Bay, and have access to enjoy it. "Making the decision to have a public green space means that we are finally thinking beyond just making money," said Dr Tan, 62, who won a Public Administration Gold Medal at the 2003 National Day Awards.

On a more practical level, the Singapore Botanic Gardens was being overstretched, with visitors there for leisure, academic and research purposes. The Gardens by the Bay will be dedicated mainly to recreational use: Rowing, running, cycling and even rock concerts.

The iconic decision for such a public space didn't come about without its fair share of scepticism. Said Dr Tan: "It required economists to say 'yes, it makes economic sense' and planners to say 'yes, it gives you a total package', as well as getting the approval of the Public Utilities Board; among others. It was beyond my narrow ambit as a parks person.

"For the money boys, having such a valuable piece of property set aside for greenery is like being left empty and fallow. But to Singaporeans, it is ours."

However, if Singapore's economy were not on firm ground, the Gardens by the Bay project--scheduled for completion by 2010--would not have been possible.

As one of the agencies giving input to the Urban Redevelopment Authority's master planning process, Dr Tan said NParks has been "quietly" pushing for public space in the form of parks.

"NParks is now growing to be more than just about parks, but a total lifestyle," he said. "Of course, there were periods when people in charge were more concerned about the economy--and rightfully so. For them, the thought of such valuable space not used for making money was just hard to fathom. "To have space dedicated to fun ... fun meant not working!

"But now, we have embraced the total concept of live, work and play. And we have the space and resources to do it." The Government has not set a budget for the Gardens by the Bay. The cost of rejuvenating the current 52-ha Botanic Gardens tallied some $120 million.

As one of the 11-member international jury for the Gardens by the Bay international design competition, launched last Friday, Dr Tan said what would set the winning design apart would be its ability to make Singapore's recreational dimension appealing to locals and visitors alike.

"We already have the economy, business, competence, infrastructure and safety facets. Now how about the leisure facet to complete the package?" said Dr Tan. It is such things that will keep Singaporeans in Singapore, instead of opting to retire overseas. "A lot of things are provided here--safety, no corruption--but I want to be able to enjoy nature after work, without having to pay and arm and a leg for it. I want to feel I own the best part of Singapore though I personally can't afford to," he said.

"So, the Government will protect my interest in that respect. Gardens are the best way of developing space for public enjoyment."

And the Gardens by the Bay will be that cornerstone in transforming Singapore from a Garden City into a City in a Garden, said Dr Tan.
links
Related articles on Singapore: general environment issues
about the site | email ria
  News articles are reproduced for non-profit educational purposes.
 

website©ria tan 2003 www.wildsingapore.com