Geography GEL 1

Place

locations or an area with unique physical and human characteristics. ——
Holds different meanings for people as it is derived from people’s experiences

Space

location/ geographical point on the earth’s surface

Environment

both physical and human environments which are interconnected and interdependent

Scale

fundamental levels of organization 

how are humans dependent on nature? [3]

provides us with essentials like air and water

depend on living organisms like bees to help pollinate crops and produce a continuous supply of food

maintain their physical and mental well-being.

one example of humans depending on nature

Therapeutic Gardens, designed to connect people with nature and help to reduce stress.
improving the physical, psychological and social well-being of its users. 

How are nature areas dependent on humans?

People in the neighbourhood may look after nearby nature areas, investing efforts to ensure that the plants and animals living there thrive. 

How do nature areas benefit people? [3]

1.  Lowering temperatures, ( trees provide shade, water evaporates from leaves cooling temp )

2.  Removing pollutants ( plants absorb pollutants)

3.  Providing recreational space. ( Offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities such as biking; camping; canoeing; hiking and rock climbing, reducing the severity and occurrence of chronic health conditions )

How do people benefit nature? [2]

1. Raise awareness about the value of nature areas, encouraging environmentally positive behaviour.

2. Organizing or participating in conservation efforts

How do people harm nature? [2]

1) Soil erosion and damaging vegetation

hiking along non-designated trails in nature areas may result in the trampling and damaging of vegetation, affecting their growth.

2) Worsening pollution and disturbing wildlife

Littering of metal cans, plastic bags and bottles by visitors, Wild animals can get cut by metal cans or become entangled with plastic containers and bags
Some animals may also mistake the litter for food — death.

How does nature disadvantage humans? [2]

Human-wildlife conflicts

due to urban expansion, growing interest in outdoor recreation and greening efforts by the nation to turn Singapore into a “garden city'“ — people and wildlife are brought closer together, increasing the frequency of human – wildlife encounters — local communities may not know how to react when they come across wildlife and may unintentionally provoke them, which may trigger the animals to attack.

Environmental protection may limit development

Some people in local communities may feel that the protection of nature is done at the expense of their needs. — For example, it was proposed to build the Cross Island MRT Line around, instead of under, the Central Catchment Nature Reserve to protect our largest primary rainforest — this however increased travelling time by 6 mins and around $2B more on construction costs.

results in increased inconvenience for people to protect the environment.

What is a sense of place?

• People develop a sense of place when they associate or attach importance, meanings and memories with locations

• It is a reflection of the relationship people have with the places around them.

How do people acquire a sense of place in their neighbourhoods?

1. Repeated encounters with objects and people — helps us to recall the features of places that we come across and associate meanings and memories with them.

2. Significant or memorable events at local landmarks or gathering places

Buildings or structures with distinguishing characteristics that are easily recognised — Highly visible and easy for most of us to remember [ may serve symbolic or historical purposes.]

MAY hold positive and/or negative memories.

feature public symbols that reflect a community’s response to a tragedy, (-ve)

How is a sense of place represented?

through different forms and types of media — reflects people’s ideas, memories and significance of the location.

How may representation of the sense of place enhance an individual sense of place

we respond well to representations that agree with how we feel about places in our neighbourhood. — Such representations add new layers of meanings to these places by revealing interesting information about them, thus enhancing our sense of place. — gain a deeper appreciation

How may representation of the sense of place contradict an individual sense of place

we may respond defensively to media content that challenges our sense of place.  — dismissing these contents, perceiving them as distortions or untruths. 

How can regions be classified?

1. Environmental characteristics: Nature or built-up areas

2. Human characteristics: e.g. Commercial or residential areas

3. Geographical location: e.g. East or West

What are spatial patterns in an area?

1. A non-random arrangement of services, objects, and events in an area

2. Recognisable shapes, geometry, clusters and repeated occurrences

— help us to understand the world around us and make decisions. 

Why the thingamajig is Where

What are spatial associations in the neighbourhood

How one thing is connected to another because they are near each other or in the same area. — children’s playgrounds are often located near adult or elderly fitness corners or Locations of train stations and bus interchanges.

creates convenience

What are spatial scales

Spatial scales are the different levels or sizes of an area that geographers study

local -- global.

What are spatial scales in Singapore

town centers — serves as the commercial and social hub for residents in its neighbourhoods — attracting visitors from other towns to visit

Why are social activities usually concentrated at the town centre?

Neighbourhoods surround the town centre→ a central spot for gathering→ enables residents to travel to and from the town centre conveniently

Integrated transport hubs make it accessible for visitors from other towns to visit

Large gathering centres located in town centres→ enable community events to occur regularly

Get a hint

How is town planning done in Singapore (objective)

1. Serving residents and providing for nature at precinct, neighbourhood, and town levels:

   • Majority of land allocated to housing, industrial, and commercial development

   • Remaining land→ roads, schools, parks, and other essential facilities

   • Facilities @ different spatial hierarchies often complement each other→ enabling each town to be self-sufficient and provide employment opportunities

1. Creating connections and synergies across precincts, neighbourhoods, and towns:

   • Created to achieve sustainability→ Long-term plans that optimise scarce resources to cater to diverse needs of current and future generations.

Precinct

• 400-800 residential units

• nearby facilities, serving residents’ everyday needs (playgrounds, community gardens, covered linkways)

• Facilities that are spread out (bus stops @ regular intervals, near every block→ accessible for residents)

Neighbourhood

• 4000-6000 residential units

• a neighbourhood = a few precincts

• >1 neighbourhood = a town

• Neighbourhoods surround the town centre→ enabling residents to travel to and from the town centre conveniently

Town

• a town = >1 neighbourhood

• Has a wide range of facilities→ enhance residents’ convenience and meet their everyday needs (extensive roads, PCN, shops and schools)

• Facilities complement one another, bringing amenities under one roof (HDB Hub, located right next to TPY bus interchange and MRT with shopping mall and tuition centres)

What are the facilities in a precinct that enhance residents’ convenience and meet their daily needs?

• Small shops

• Children playgrounds

• Exercise stations

• Community gardens

• Covered linkways

• Bus stops @ regular intervals

• PCN / cycling and pedestrian pathways - links one precinct / neighbourhood to another

What are the facilities in a neighbourhood that enhance residents’ convenience and meet their daily needs?

• Neighbourhood malls

• Neighbourhood parks

• Community centres

• Eldercare/Childcare

• Extensive roads

• PCN / cycling and pedestrian pathways - links one precinct / neighbourhood to another

• LRT

What are the facilities in a town that enhance residents’ convenience and meet their daily needs?

• Large shopping malls

• Large gathering places for community activities

• Schools

• Bus Interchange

• MRT