The island nation of Singapore is perhaps one country which has scaled dizzying heights in a short span of time. Efficient bureaucracy and able leadership have helped this vibrant and hi-tech nation catapult into one of the most lovely and successful places in the world.

What comes to one’s mind while thinking of Singapore is the tree-lined streets, skyscrapers in huge numbers, eco-friendly environment, fabulous infrastructure....the list simply stretches on. The country, though tiny in size, has 60 islands with 4.5 million people. Every drop of water that flows from its taps is ultra-clean and the place is absolutely pollution-free with utmost importance given to recyling of waste products.

This republic nation suffered severe crisis initially after it achieved independence in 1965. Soon, it embarked on a modernisation spree that focussed on establishment of a manufacturing industry, developing large public housing estates. Since independence, its economy has risen consistently. And within 25 years of its freedom, the country evolved into one of the world’s most prosperous nations, with a highly developed free market economy and the highest per capita GDP in Asia, but for Japan.

Cigarettes cost you a fortune and chewing gum is banned here. No chewing gum means you can’t spit here. “You need to go to neighbouring Malaysia or other countries to buy the same if you are desperate to chew one.” To evolve a healthy Singapore, the government has initiated some stringent measures to keep its people away from ‘bad habits’. The horrific pictures of wounds and injuries on cigarette packs is one of the strong reasons that has brought down the number of smokers drastically, say many Singaporeans.

Perfect example Awareness on recycling of waste products like cans, plastics, bottles, etc, is being created at almost all the tourist spots in Singapore. Even in zoos, animals have been trained on proper disposal of waste products! And, although Singapore does not have any natural sources of water, it has been able to provide clean and sufficient water to its people.

Role model
Singapore’s infrastructure development is certainly a model for the developing nations. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is Singapore’s national land use planning authority, which has been instrumental in building quality real estate. URA draws up long-term strategic plans, as well as detailed local area plans, for physical development, and then coordinates to turn its plans to reality. An efficient land use plan has enabled Singapore to achieve strong economic growth and social cohesion. A professional way of managing and maintaining its real estate has given way to its continued economic progress and future development.

The URA has to take into consideration not just the needs of the city but all the needs of an independent nation and provide sufficient land for economic growth and future development. With a limited land area of about 699 sq km, URA faces many challenges in land use planning to house the needs of Singapore.

Not all the land area in Singapore can be developed. For example, water catchment areas occupy at least 40 per cent of the total land. There are height restrictions imposed by airport authorities on buildings. For instance, flats in housing towns around the Changi airport cannot exceed 12 storeys because of the flight paths of planes from Changi International Airport. A large space of land also has been set aside for military use.

Blessing in disguise
The space constraint seems to have come as a blessing in disguise for Singapore. The authorities focussed on raising skyscrapers, huge in number. Instead of scattering its facilities, successful attempts have been made to house everything at one place and in one building. High-rise buildings have also added to Singapore’s beauty.

Many of these buildings have at least a few floors in basements. The builders have not only taken the buildings higher in the skies but have also dug deeper under the ground. The URA feels, “Our challenge is to find smart solutions so that there will always be space for all our needs. One way is to create new land by reclamation off our seashore. The other way is to make the most of the land we already have. We intensify land use by locating various facilities together instead of separately. For example, we locate stormwater collection ponds under road flyovers; we build stack factories; we go underground; we locate train stations and bus stations over each other. We also constantly find ways to minimise constraints on development by using technology such as cleaner power station fuel to reduce buffer zones of pollutive factories, or we group such industries together and relocate them off shore.”

Awareness on recycling of waste products like cans, plastics, bottles, etc, is being created at almost all the tourist spots. Even in zoos, animals have been trained on proper disposal of waste products! Although Singapore does not have any natural sources of water, it has been able to provide clean and sufficient water to its people. “There’s no need to buy water in Singapore. Even water in toilets is ultra-clean. Just drink it,” say tourist guides.

Roads in Singapore
“We are holding Formula One Grand Prix on the streets of Singapore shortly,” says a proud Singaporean businessman. The high standards of development and road asphalt are simply magnificent. For countries like India where roads hardly bear the weight of vehicles, authorities in charge of road development here should be sent to Singapore to see how roads can host world-class events like Formula One Grand Prix!

The country’s worldclass connectivity makes the place a favourite tourist destination. It has an advanced metro system. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is a modern and cheap way of travel in Singapore. Ferry services, cable cars, mono rails, high-tech taxis, sight-seeing flights, etc, make a tourist’s visit to Singapore a memorable one.
Among some of the popular tourist spots of Singapore are Sentosa Island Resort, Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, Underwater World, Chinatown, Red Dot Design Museum, etc. Singapore presents its resources and tourist spots in a highly professional manner.