Can Singapore inspire Laos to build water-smart cities?
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Singapore: the beautiful city state, famed for its lush gardens, splendid food, culturally diverse communities, and the cocktail Singapore Sling. I was there last week for the World Bank’s 2016 Urban Week. The event brought together leading city officials from all over the world and staff from international organizations. It was an excellent exchange on how to tackle urban planning in a sustainable and integrated way. One lesson that emerged from the gathering is that
. Singapore is itself a prime example of a city that has understood the importance of connecting disaster risk management, urban planning, and quality living.
I currently live in Lao PDR. This country faces some of the same problems that Singapore is confronted with, including flooding. As Laos continues its social and economic development, the country would do well in keeping some of Singapore’s urban innovations in mind so as to avoid creating cities that become disaster hotspots. The planners at the Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority as well as the National Water Agency have identified natural disasters and climate change as serious challenges to development. They are an example to follow when it comes to implementing key disaster risk management strategies, such as combining green (i.e. natural) and grey (i.e. engineered) solutions and using urban revitalization and multi-purpose infrastructure to manage disaster risk.
For example, Singapore’s drainage and water retention infrastructure often doubles as parks. . The city preserves its trees and implements a strategic tree planting program that not only reduces flood risk but also improves water quality and stores carbon. Despite its severely limited space, the city is continuing to expand its green spaces, and it plans to have 0.8 hectares of land for parks per 1,000 citizens. When floods occur, the parks serve as flood retention areas. Many of these efforts are constitutive of the impressive ABC (Active, Beautiful and Clean) Waters Program. By integrating drains in parks, this program creates beautiful green spaces and rivers for all to enjoy. Wetlands, vegetable patches, cleansing biotopes, nature trails, tree plantations or butterfly gardens can all be found at the ABC drainage sites.
The city has also built reservoirs which hold flood waters in the event of heavy rain and which simultaneously are utilized as fresh water sources for the city. One example of a multi-purpose reservoir is the Marina Barrage which offers a 3 in 1 package. First, the facility pumps excess storm water out to the sea by means of pumps. Second, it provides water for the city. Third, it is a popular destination for outdoor activities in virtue of having pedestrian bridges, green viewing decks, and water sports opportunities.
Lao PDR has proven that it is committed to reducing disaster risk and has mainstreamed resilience into some of its planning documents and sectors. As Laos’s urban areas grow, the country can benefit from integrating some of Singapore’s commendable steps into its urban plans to prepare its cities for the future. to protect its valuable resources and wonderful people. I was thinking of this when I, on my return, enjoyed a beautiful sunset over the Mekong, where the sundowner of choice is not the famed cocktail from Singapore but Laos’ own classic: the Beerlao.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about blog. Regards
The article gives direction which cities should adopt
I am working with the Singapolre Business Federation (SBF), the apex and largest business chamber in Singapore with 22,500 companies as members. i read with interest your blog article and could not disagree with. here at SBF we are working with our companies to try to do business in Lao PDR and the urban infrastructure sector is an attractive way forward to push more solutions into Lao PDR. i am organising a seminar on Lao PDR with LNCCI's Mr Oudet Souvannavong and ECCIL's Ramon Busseler here in SBF, Singapore this Thusrday afternoon on 7 July 2016. In addition SBF will be organising a business mission from 4 to 9 Sept 2016 in conjunction with and to attend the ASEAN Business & Investment Summit as well as conduct meetings with businesses, government agencies. good if we can share notes and collaborate further.
thanks and best regards,
Alan Tan
Hi Alan,
Thanks for your interest in our blogs.
If you want to share any materials with us, please feel to send them to worldbankwater@worldbank.org.
Best,
Li