Gardens Of The World: Singapore

Singapore has laboured intensely to transform its Garden City into a City within a Garden. This vision was created by former, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in the 1960s. 

Prime Minister Yew sought to soften the look of Singapore’s dense concrete environment and improve the quality of life within the city.  Thus the beginning of Singapore’s journey to becoming one of the greenest countries in the world!

Photo by Lena Heckendorn from Pexels

GARDENS BY THE BAY

Stretching across a remarkable 101 hectares of land, Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay remain one of its most prominent features. First announced in 2005 by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at Singapore’s National Day Rally, the Gardens developed in the icon of the nation and its most visited attraction since its official opening in 2012. By 2018 over 50 million people had visited and enjoyed the Park.

The lush nature park consists of three waterfront gardens: Bay East Garden, Bay Central Garden and finally, Bay South Garden. At 54 hectares, The Bay South Garden is the largest of these three gardens and holds the main attraction of the park, the Supertree grove.

THE SUPERTREE GROVE

Towering over the gardens at a height of between 25 and 50 metres are the Supertrees. These tree-like structures are man-made with vertical gardens on each one of the Supertrees.  Their function is shading and working as environmental engines for the park. These Supertrees harness solar energy which is used for various functions of which lighting pathways is only just one such function.

THE FLOWER DOME

Another notable feature of the Gardens would be its Flower Dome. As mentioned in our Indoor Gardens of the World blog, The Flower Dome is where you can explore the world of endless spring. Inside the Giant Greenhouse, you will find a colourful display of Mediterranean and semi-arid flora from across the world.

Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, Singapore (Source: www.governmentarchitect.nsw.gov.au)

BISHAN-ANG MO KIO PARK

Formally Known as Bishan Park, the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park is one of the major green urban spaces in Singapore. The park was constructed as a buffer between Bishan New Town and Ang Mo Kio. The park is much more than that. Here one can find facilities which would appeal to just about everyone. The park features numerous play areas for children and since the introduction of the naturalised river, the park has seen an increase in winged visitors. Making it a go-to destination for avid bird watchers.

The Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park was also home to the Bishan Otter family. The family of smooth-coated otters first appeared in 2014 and caused quite the stir the following year when pictures of them were posted on Facebook.

Currently, the smooth-coated otter is classified as a critically endangered species. The arrival of the Bishan otter family, as well as many other otter families, is seen as a sign of Singapore’s successful greening policy.

Interested in more gardens of the world or perhaps in need of inspiration? Have a look at our monthly blogs here.