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  Channel NewsAsia 15 Jun 06
URA, NParks start work on Marina Bay Landscape Masterplan
 By Wong Siew Ying, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Tree-lined streets and floral-scented side-walks are part of the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) Landscape Masterplan to add colour and character to the Marina Bay area.

And it is already in the works with the National Parks Board (NParks), sourcing for trees and plants from overseas. Yellow rain trees decorate the Botanic Gardens, and many more like them will soon be planted beside the future downtown Business Financial Centre, giving it a rich golden glow.

Meanwhile, the Jelutong species will line streets like the Bayfront Avenue. NParks has started sourcing for plant materials from nurseries locally and in Malaysia. The right species will be cultivated and transported to Singapore, then nurtured to help them adapt to the new environment, before they are transplanted to the actual site.

In crafting the Landscape Masterplan, the NParks team had to consider the width of the planting space at the site, as well as the types of vegetation that could provide a home-grown look and yet distinguishes the Marina area from the rest of Singapore.

Simon John Longman, Director, Streetscape, NParks, said, "We are using forest species in an urban setting, so the biggest challenge is to ensure that these are adaptable to an urban environment...special needs like sufficiency of space for the roots to grow, to be stable...they also need to counter the exposure and harsh conditions along the road."

NParks says proper planning will be done to ensure tree branches do not encroach on to the roads and their roots are contained - especially with large trees like the Sepetir that will be planted along the Central and Marina Boulevards.

URA says it is also working with building developers on the Landscape Masterplan. Bernard Chan, Senior Architect, URA, said, "For the roads that we are constructing together with the Land Transport Authority, (the) government will put in the rest of the trees, so realisation of the scheme will come about quite soon."

Visitors can also look forward to a visual treat with different colour planting schemes throughout Marina Bay. - CNA/ms
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