Heng Chye Kiang & Low Boon Liang
APA
Kiang, H. C. & Liang, L. B. (1). New Asian public space: Layered Singapore. URBAN DESIGN International, 14(4), 231–246. http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/udi.2009.24
Keywords
Layers
,
Public Space
,
Singapore
,
Urban Transformation
Abstract
The city of Singapore has a very short history of 185 years. However, since 1972 , Singapore has been confronting significant transformations owing to different agendas and priorities of the city government. The present morphology of the city can be best described as the accumulation of different layers, carefully controlled and manipulated by the State through planning and design. Hence, the public spaces within the city are formed as a result of the interactions among these layers. The inclusion of each layer not only shapes the physical form of the public space, but also adds a newer set of meaning by adding new functional role within the existing fabric. This article is a result of the preliminary investigation of a research project that observes the urban transformation of Singapore from 1972 to 2005 within the framework of this layered morphology. It will delve deeper to discern and identify the layers that act as the main determinant for shaping the urban public spaces in Singapore.
Main finding
This research finds that the urban landscape in Singapore is a result of an accumulation of layers of intervention over time and categorizes the layers as follows: Colonial; State-Business-Land Sale; State-Residential-Community; Conservation-Related; Transport Node; and Garden City.
Description of method used in the article
Preliminary investigation of a research project that observed the urban transformation of Singapore from 1972 to 2005 within the framework of layered morphology.
Verdict
Theoretically interesting