Then, there are practical challenges. Existing buildings and infrastructure must be demolished and replaced, construction waste transported and processed. All of this can also release what is known as end-of-life embodied carbon. So brownfield redevelopment comes with financial, time and environmental costs too.
What about building on the empty fields we sometimes see in our neighbourhoods? Some have argued that the pockets of green spaces interspersed across the island could also be tapped for housing.
But not every site may be able to support meaningful housing development. Adding even a few blocks to an existing neighbourhood could strain existing amenities (such as supermarkets, preschools and clinics) and transport infrastructure. So the size of such fields will affect their suitability.
In an ideal situation, we would be able to keep all our forests and heritage spaces. However, the reality is that as Singapore continues to grow and develop, we will need to find more spaces to accommodate our growing needs.
Even taking a “brownfield first” approach, it may be inevitable that we will need to turn to some of our green spaces. Then the challenge is how to do it in a way that is sensitive to our ecological spaces and biodiversity.
Continue reading...
What about building on the empty fields we sometimes see in our neighbourhoods? Some have argued that the pockets of green spaces interspersed across the island could also be tapped for housing.
But not every site may be able to support meaningful housing development. Adding even a few blocks to an existing neighbourhood could strain existing amenities (such as supermarkets, preschools and clinics) and transport infrastructure. So the size of such fields will affect their suitability.
WHAT A CITY IN NATURE MEANS
In an ideal situation, we would be able to keep all our forests and heritage spaces. However, the reality is that as Singapore continues to grow and develop, we will need to find more spaces to accommodate our growing needs.
Even taking a “brownfield first” approach, it may be inevitable that we will need to turn to some of our green spaces. Then the challenge is how to do it in a way that is sensitive to our ecological spaces and biodiversity.
Continue reading...