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  Today Online 10 Aug 06
A green spot close to our hearts
Gardens by the Bay plans figure big in Singapore's aim to become a global city
Tor Ching Li chingli@newstoday.com.sg

YOU might never have guessed it — but there could be a tree-hugger in every Singaporean. In a National Day survey conducted by Today, the upcoming Garden City by the Bay — incorporating three gardens that make up the National Parks Board's (NParks) Gardens by the Bay project, water sports, a reservoir and a giant Ferris wheel — was rated as the project Singaporeans were most excited about. It even ranked ahead of the likes of the multi-billion dollar Integrated Resorts, the Sports Hub and the plan to make Orchard Road pedestrian friendly.

Asked for his response to the survey, Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan said: "The Gardens will be for all Singaporeans to own, to enjoy, and to share with our family and friends. I am delighted by the positive feedback from the public. It shows that Singaporeans appreciate and have developed a bond with our parks and gardens and our greenery."

Other than giving each Singaporean shared ownership of a 94-ha prime property, the Gardens by the Bay is also meant to project Singapore as a truly global city in a global garden.

Last week, an international jury of 11 reviewed submissions from eight world-class bidders — selected from an initial pool of 70 interested entrants — depicting their vision of the Garden at Marina South, Garden at Marina East and Garden at Marina Centre. A winner will be announced in September, and the masterplan will then be the canvas upon which another competition of detailed designs will be held.

The three distinctly themed yet interconnected waterfront gardens will form the Gardens by the Bay, with phase one due for completion between 2009 and 2010.

According to Dr Tan Wee Kiat, NParks advisor and former chief executive, the final list of participants comprise internationally-renowned firms from the UK, US, Japan, Australia and Singapore.

Explained Dr Tan: "A key mission of the Gardens is to project the image of a modern Singapore to the world, to express to the rest of the world why Singapore is a contender as a global city."

The best team for the job will be the one best representing the context of the Gardens — such as Singapore's uniqueness as one of the largest cities on the equator, its position on the confluence of trade routes, and its role as a tropical garden with global ambitions. Indeed, a cool conservatory showcasing plants from temperate climates will be part of the 54-ha garden in the heart of Marina South.

It will also be home to the Singapore Garden Festival — which will be held for the first time this December — and other horticultural events.

Said Dr Tan: "Beyond transforming Singapore from a Garden City into a City in a Garden, we are also developing software that is needed to sustain our City in a Garden by involving the participation of the living communities in Singapore and nurturing a culture of gardening. One way to do this is to showcase examples of tropical gardens in this part of the world."

To be held at Suntec City Convention Centre in the ten days before Christmas, the exhibition will be on a scale equivalent to some of the established festivals in temperate cities, such as the famous Chelsea Flower Show.

Other than being Singapore's inaugural Garden Festival, it will also be the first show to bring together the best garden designers from around the world to create gardens and compete for top honours.

"This show will allow our locals to build up their expertise, confidence and provides a chance to practise their art," said Dr Tan.

NParks plans to make the Singapore Garden Festival a biennial show. Tickets are already available at Sistic outlets starting from $6.
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