5.0 Waterways a “Thread” of Development

As an advocate of Urbanism, features that provide continuity and tie together the urban fabric like a thick thread ties together the individual pieces of a quilt blanket always impresses me. An example that has been evolving over a number of years is the linear connector that goes from the Queenstown area of Singapore down the Singapore River and about 7.5km to Marina Bay.  

It serves as a playground for children, a jogging and bike path, a fishing and kite flying area, a walkway to and from school. In parts of the river edges it is densely developed with a mix of residential and commercial and bustling with night time dining and pubs. It gives relief between buildings and open space for living units to looks out toward, it is a quite area away from the traffic for morning walks or evening meditations. The linear connector can be considered a park, a pedestrian/bike way, a drainage channel and in fact it is all those put together.



Alexandra Park Connector -Covered Canal at HDB Estate

Condominiums near Roberston Quay

Mixed Used Development with water front F&B

 This necessity has been enhanced and used as a local and interconnecting amenity that is a huge plus to the quality of life for all the developments which it connects. One can imagine all the developments tied together on one side by this meandering parkway with water which is pedestrian and bike friendly. And on the other face the developments meet the dense urban city streets. This stark contrast gives all the residents of these developments the best of both worlds and a truly rich living environment! This stretch is not quite completed as described, but certainly the possibilities exist and can be a model for development.

Jiwa Studio

Singapore, October 2011
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