GEOG 1.4 : ORGANISATION OF NEIGHBOURHOODS IN SINGAPORE

Define nested areas.

An area located within a larger area.

Define pricincts.

An area with 400 to 800 residential units; a public housing planning concept in Singapore.

Define synergies .

Improved results when two or more people or organisations work together.

What are spatial scales ?

Spatial scales refer to the extent of an area in which a phenomenon or process take place. Scales can be at different hierarchines including globa,regional and even local. Global areas consist of many regions, then countries, and then even smaller spatial units within countries such as provinces or districts.

Why is knowing of spatial scales important ?

Knowing spatial scales helps us understand how events and processes at one spatial scale may affect people and nature at other spatial scales. Examining phenomena and processes at different scales can provide us with different perspectives based on the spatial patterns and trends observed.

What are the spatial scales in Singapore ?

In Singapore, the island is distrubuted into more than 20 towns. In each town, there is a town centre with a concentration of activities. Each town centre may serve as the commercial and social hub for residents living in its neighbourhoods.

Why do some town centres have intergrated transport hubs such as bus interchanges and train stationss near shopping malls ?

The convienience of such town centres may attract visitors from other towns to visit, making it viable for large shopping malls to be located there. It may also attract businesses to locate their offices in these town centres, as they can take advantage of lower costs and reduce travelling time for their workers. EG : The Bishan bus interchange and train station make it very convenient for visitors from other towns to visit Junction 8 mall.

What is the purpose for having large gathering places in town centres ?

So community activities can take place.

What does the design of town centres help us with ?

To understand Singapore’s larger and longer-term goals.

Name an example of designing of town centres for SG’S longer - term goals .

The roads in the proposed Tengah’s town centre will run underground to encourage walking and cycling at the ground level. This contributes to our goal of reducing carbon emissions and enhancing liveability.

What spatial hierarchies can we observe in Singapore ?

In Singapore, there are nested areas of different sizes, beginning with a single residential unit. Each of these residential units is part of a precinct , which is part of a neighbourhood that is located within a town. A neighbourhood comprises a few pricincts , and a few neighbourhoods make up a town.

What is a precinct ?

A precinct is between 400 and 800 residential units form a precinct. Facilities are often within close proximity , serving residents’ everday needs. Amenities in neighbourhood can also be in a precinct scale. Children’s playgrounds, community gardens and covered linkways are always located near to each other, enhancing convenience and accessibility as well as catering to various needs. How

Descibe the distributions of facilities in a precinct.

Facilities are often within close proximity , serving residents’ everday needs. Amenities in neighbourhood can also be in a precinct scale. Children’s playgrounds, community gardens and covered linkways are always located near to each other, enhancing convenience and accessibility as well as catering to various needs. However , some other facilities are spread throughout the precinct to meet the resident’s needs. Bus stops are spread out in regular intervals such tat there is a bus stop near every apartment block, which ensures most residents in the precinct can have easy access to the bus stops.

What is a neighbourhood?

A neighbourhood serves between 4000 and 6000 residential units. Each neighbourhood comprises of a few pricincts .

What is a town ?

A town is made up of a few neighbourhoods. The town’s neighbourhoods can be found surrounding the town centre , which enables all residents to travel to and from the town centre conveniently .

Describe the featues and facilities found in towns in Singapore .

In Singapore, each town has a wide range of facilities and features that enhance residents’ convenience and meet their everyday needs. These include : Extensive roads , cycling and pedestrian networks in each town that enable residents to travel easily from one precinct to another or from one neighbourhood to the town centre. Shops and schools that serve residents. Facilities at the neighbourhood and precinct also complement one another to serve residents. Facilities at the neighbourhood also have integrated facilities that bring together amenities under one roof. EG : The Bukit Panjang Interchange is located next to a train station and it also has community spaces , eldercare and childcare centres , food outlets and a medical centre.

What is the purpose of town planning in Singapore ?

To serve residents and provide for nature at distinct levels of the precinct , neighbourhood and town. Creates connections and synergies across precincts , neighbourhoods and towns.

How are towns planned out in Singapore ?

Land in each town is mostly allocated for housing , industrial and commerical development. Remaning land is set aside for roads , schools , parks and other essential facilities. Facilities at the precinct , neighbourhood and town levels enable each town to be self - sufficient and provide employment opportunities and also often complement each other. EG : Tengah is Singapore’s first ‘‘ forest town ‘‘ that will feature a 5km long forest corridor to support a rich biodiversity in the town. The key features of Tengah will revolve around nature and the community , creating a town where future residents can experience being ‘‘ At Home with Nature ‘‘. At the town level , a dedicated network will enable residents to travel conveniently within Tengah on foot or by cycling. At the neighbourhood level , residents will have opportunities to form together at community gardens.

How does town planning allows for connections and synergies to be created ?

Connections and synergies are created to help achieve sustainability. Long - term plans at the national level seek to achieve this by optimising scarce land resources to cater to the diverse needs of current and future generations. EG : In SG , the Urban Redevelopment Authority ( URA ) coordinates the long-term planning for Singapore , which involves multiple stakeholders and agencies. The Long-Term Plan maps out land uses and infrastructure needs in Singapore over the next 50 years , where plans are reviewed every ten years.

Diverse needs , competing land uses and space for key infrastructure , train lines and cycling networks are also considered.