50 YEARS OF URBAN PLANNING IN SINGAPORE

by Heng Chye Kiang

50 Years of Urban Planning in Singapore is an accessible and comprehensive volume on Singapore's planning approach to urbanization. Organized into three parts, the first section of the volume, 'Paradigms, Policies, and Processes', provides an overview of the ideologies and strategies underpinning urban planning in Singapore; the second section, 'The Built Environment as a Sum of Parts', delves into the key land use sectors of Singapore's urban planning system; and the third section, 'Urban Complexities and Creative Solutions', examines the challenges and considerations of planning for the Singapore of tomorrow. The volume brings together the diverse perspectives of practitioners and academics in the professional and research fields of planning, architecture, urbanism, and city-making.

Genres: Nonfiction, Urban Planning

322 pages, Hardcover

Published October 27, 2016

Reviews

[Enzo Miguel De Borja · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of essays provides a comprehensive narrative of how Singapore transformed itself from a poor and vulnerable fledgling city-state into a first-world country that puts others with more human and natural resources to shame.

The authors emphasized the centrality of political will, meticulous planning and execution, constant reevaluation or assessment, responsible and forward-thinking leadership, and a whole-of-society approach to Singapore's success. I was impressed by how Singapore's leaders in the latter half of the 20th century adopted ideas on greening, sustainable urban design, community building, public transportation, and other aspects of city life decades before they became popular.

However, several of the essays could have been better written. Most of the authors also tended to neglect any of Singapore's experiences with failure that may prove even more insightful for readers. Moreover, there was no mention of Singapore's progress with democracy and individual rights and liberties - things that I consider indispensable in the good urban life.

Nevertheless, it would be wise for Filipinos (especially our public officials) to realize that aspiring to be the "next Singapore" would be foolish without understanding the two country's different historical contexts, economic and social realities, cultural practices, and governance systems and bothering to apply the lessons that the Singaporeans have taught the world.

[Fabian Terh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is more political history than urban planning. While some essays do cover various urban planning concepts, they tend to take on a sycophantic undertone heaping praises on political leaders and the government for everything they did right, rather than adopt a critical perspective in acknowledging both good and bad decisions. For example, so many essays discussed the COE vehicle quota system and how it has been effective at limiting the private car population, but not a single article mentioned how Singapore's car policies has led to an exceptionally high car usage rate. Another example: many essays discussed the government's success at reducing congestion, but not a single one about road widening and induced traffic demand, or how so much land has been wasted on roads in a land-scarce nation.

Overall, this book provides an okay, albeit biased, overview of Singapore's urban planning successes, while failing to adequately discuss its failures.

[Lianna Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's really interesting and insightful. Amazing radical ideas that are proving to be extremely successful. It got repetitive at some points, but overall, it was really informational.

[Ben Wong · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only the first half is readable