Sustainability in the City: Nature and Wildlife in Singapore
Singapore’s Green Heart: Gardens by the Bay One of Singapore’s most iconic features is its ability to seamlessly blend urban development with green spaces. Located on reclaimed land in the Marina Bay area of the city, Gardens by the Bay is an expansive futuristic garden filled with Supertrees, floral displays, and two massive climate-controlled conservatories, the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest. Supertrees mimic the functions of real trees, serving multiple functions including providing shade, collecting rainwater and generating solar power. They’re covered in vegetation and look particularly spectacular at night when they come alive with a vibrant light and sound show. In addition to the Supertrees’ green features, the park also focuses on water management, energy efficiency and reducing its environmental footprint.
MacRitchie Reservoir: Hiking through the Treetops Adventure seekers will find MacRitchie Reservoir a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Here you can take the TreeTop Walk across a suspension bridge that offers panoramic views of the rainforest canopy. Take a stroll along the multiple boardwalks, explore the trails and lookout for wildlife including monkeys, monitor lizards and various bird species.
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve: A Birdwatcher’s Paradise For bird enthusiasts, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is a haven of avian diversity. This protected area is a vital stopover point for migratory birds, and offers visitors a chance to observe them in their natural habitat. The strategically placed hides and trails provide excellent opportunities for birdwatching and getting up close to various wetland creatures.
Palau Ubin: An Island Lost in Time Step back in time by visiting Pulau Ubin, an island that has preserved the rustic charm of Singapore’s past. This little haven has remained largely undeveloped, and is home to lush mangroves, tranquil lakes and thriving wildlife. You can rent a bicycle and head over on foot to explore the island’s trails to places like Chek Jawa Wetlands, Ubin Quarry and Ketam Mountain Bike Park. There’s also the opportunity to visit traditional kampong houses, authentic village houses on stilts.
Public Transportation: The Road to Efficiency Singapore boasts one of the most efficient and comprehensive public transportation systems – the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system. As well as extensive bus networks and the introduction of cycling lanes – an emphasis has been placed on encouraging sustainable commuting options by reducing traffic congestion and significantly lowering the city’s carbon footprint.
Sustainable Stays in Singapore It’s not just the city planners taking credit for green spaces in Singapore, they’ve led the way for hotels to focus on the importance of sustainability too. The ParkRoyal Pickering has won awards for the ‘World’s Leading Green City Hotel’ due to its stunning hotel-in-a-garden concept using 50 different plant species layered into the building. They’ve also used solar panels, electric cars for transfers, use lots of greenery in guestroom corridors and offer a plant-based menu at one of their restaurants ‘Lime’. The iconic Marina Bay Sands should also be mentioned for its green initiatives – they’ve reduced their carbon footprint by over 40% since 2012 and use an Intelligent Building Management System for automated control over heating, lighting and water, which helps conserve both energy and water.
I think we can all learn valuable lessons from Singapore’s dedication to creating a more sustainable and liveable urban environment.
