Read on Twitter
Re-Wilding the City – #LifeWithCovid Thread
We enjoyed ‘Nature is Thriving in Locked-Down Singapore’, Robin Hicks
https://www.eco-business.com/news/in-pictures-nature-is-thriving-in-locked-down-singapore-is-it-time-to-rethink-the-city-in-a-garden/ @NatureSocietySG, Foodscape Collective. It resonated with our experience of the city these past weeks. We asked colleagues for their thoughts
We enjoyed ‘Nature is Thriving in Locked-Down Singapore’, Robin Hicks
https://www.eco-business.com/news/in-pictures-nature-is-thriving-in-locked-down-singapore-is-it-time-to-rethink-the-city-in-a-garden/ @NatureSocietySG, Foodscape Collective. It resonated with our experience of the city these past weeks. We asked colleagues for their thoughts
1. Re-Wilding Pros and Cons
It has been great to see more wildlife in the city — an unexpected side-effect of the circuit breaker. Pros: better for biodiversity and many ecosystem services. Cons: some people find it looks untidy @DanRRichards
It has been great to see more wildlife in the city — an unexpected side-effect of the circuit breaker. Pros: better for biodiversity and many ecosystem services. Cons: some people find it looks untidy @DanRRichards
2. Reducing Temperatures
FCL research has shown that Singapore’s secondary forest reduces air temperature by 1.7 °C, which is more than double the effect of managed trees and turf. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1618866719304613 @DanRRichards @kwaniefung
FCL research has shown that Singapore’s secondary forest reduces air temperature by 1.7 °C, which is more than double the effect of managed trees and turf. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1618866719304613 @DanRRichards @kwaniefung
3. From City in Garden to City in Nature
NParks is already working on this, transforming a ‘city in a garden’ to a ‘city in nature’. E.g. Nature Ways policy; and research by Hwang Yun Hye NUS on integrating spontaneous vegetation to parks even rooftops @DanRRichards
NParks is already working on this, transforming a ‘city in a garden’ to a ‘city in nature’. E.g. Nature Ways policy; and research by Hwang Yun Hye NUS on integrating spontaneous vegetation to parks even rooftops @DanRRichards
4. Balance Functionality, Aesthetics, Ecology, Safety
Balance high ecological value of wild greenery with high functional value for dense cities. See Khoo Teng Chye (CLC), ‘Building a City in Nature’ https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-13-0713-3_4. (Thomas Schroepfer/Srilalitha Gopalakrishnan)
Balance high ecological value of wild greenery with high functional value for dense cities. See Khoo Teng Chye (CLC), ‘Building a City in Nature’ https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-13-0713-3_4. (Thomas Schroepfer/Srilalitha Gopalakrishnan)
5. Allow Patchiness
Make a ‘city in nature’ more evident: carefully cultivate patchiness: pocket parks, rooftops, pockets of wilderness to harbour native shrubs and grasses, while minimising management intensity and giving more space to native wildlife (Zuzana Drillet)
Make a ‘city in nature’ more evident: carefully cultivate patchiness: pocket parks, rooftops, pockets of wilderness to harbour native shrubs and grasses, while minimising management intensity and giving more space to native wildlife (Zuzana Drillet)
6. Don’t Forget Lawns
Lawns and navigable grass are still important. Managed turfgrass is strongly associated with the provision of social space and outdoor recreation in Singapore https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/5/2076 @ZDrillet @kwaniefung
Lawns and navigable grass are still important. Managed turfgrass is strongly associated with the provision of social space and outdoor recreation in Singapore https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/5/2076 @ZDrillet @kwaniefung
7. Interweaving Landscapes
The Railway Corridor, recently opened south of the former Bukit Timah station, interweaves wild and manicured vegetation. Planting plans, such as those by Piet Oudolf in NY High Line, help to cultivate the aesthetics of existing landscapes @prwurech
The Railway Corridor, recently opened south of the former Bukit Timah station, interweaves wild and manicured vegetation. Planting plans, such as those by Piet Oudolf in NY High Line, help to cultivate the aesthetics of existing landscapes @prwurech
8. Access to Open Landscapes
Wide pedestrian spaces in dense cities are a commodity much in demand. Touring on my bicycle, a mode of transportation receiving high appraisal in Europe in times of social distancing, I reached meadows in Singapore's Western Water Catchment @prwurech
Wide pedestrian spaces in dense cities are a commodity much in demand. Touring on my bicycle, a mode of transportation receiving high appraisal in Europe in times of social distancing, I reached meadows in Singapore's Western Water Catchment @prwurech
9. Mitigate Urban Density with Runoff
Efficient water drainage reduces risk of standing water in vegetation zones adjacent to residential areas. However, extensive urban development without sufficient reservoirs or overflow opportunities may result in dangerous floods @prwurech
Efficient water drainage reduces risk of standing water in vegetation zones adjacent to residential areas. However, extensive urban development without sufficient reservoirs or overflow opportunities may result in dangerous floods @prwurech
10. Reserved Urban Land
Land is left inactive in cities for many good reasons: geophysical and/or pollution remediation, land banking. Biodiversity still develops here. Can this be incorporated into future development designs and plans where feasible – Highline style? @stuff4jus
Land is left inactive in cities for many good reasons: geophysical and/or pollution remediation, land banking. Biodiversity still develops here. Can this be incorporated into future development designs and plans where feasible – Highline style? @stuff4jus
11. Maintain ‘Wild’ Landscapes
Parks like Bishan-AMK park, Jurong Lake Gardens, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve are popular, but people have concerns with ‘wild landscape’ very close to homes. Well-maintained greenery is important. (Thomas Schroepfer/Srilalitha Gopalakrishnan)
Parks like Bishan-AMK park, Jurong Lake Gardens, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve are popular, but people have concerns with ‘wild landscape’ very close to homes. Well-maintained greenery is important. (Thomas Schroepfer/Srilalitha Gopalakrishnan)
12. Re-Wilding Teaches Us New Ways of Seeing
(Izyanti Asa’ari)
(Izyanti Asa’ari)
