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Walkability in Singapore

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Sustainable Urban Development in Singapore

Part of the book series: Sustainable Development Goals Series ((SDGS))

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Abstract

In Chapter 2, we pointed out that Singapore was a typical third-world country when independence was thrusted upon her. The roads were dirty. The city was overcrowded with thousands living in slums or squatter settlements without proper running water or sanitation. Economic development was the main driver of government policies. Sustainable development took a backseat.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Ng and Mendelsohn (2005).

  2. 2.

    CO2 receives greater attention because of its more globalised effects. The Kyoto Protocol has set up a global CO2 market to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Singapore is a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Singapore ratified the UNFCCC in 1997 and acceded to the Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC in April 2006. In 2009, Singapore pledged to reduce emissions by 16% from business-as-usual (BAU) levels by 2020. Singapore’s decision to accede to the Kyoto Protocol in April 2006 has been described as nationalistically orientated “to protect the country’s international image and to benefit from the economic opportunities that the protocol opens up”. It represents a significant shift in Singapore’s policy towards CO2 emission, from denying its obligations to set emission targets as it clings on to its developing country status to the announcement of putting in place a plan to reduce carbon intensity.

  3. 3.

    As reported by Singapore’s National Climate Change Secretariat. https://www.nccs.gov.sg/singapores-climate-action/singapore-emissions-profile/. Accessed on 25 January 2023.

  4. 4.

    Ho (2009, October 30).

  5. 5.

    Singapore’s commitment pales in comparison with the 40–50% cut committed by China but aligns closely with the United States declaration to reduce US greenhouse gas emissions by 17% of 2005 levels by 2050 under the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. Cheam (2009a, December 3).

  6. 6.

    Gunasingham (2009, October 30) and Nur Dianah Suhaimi (2009, October 31).

  7. 7.

    See “We are disappointed so far: PM” The Straits Times, 22 December 2009.

  8. 8.

    The Climate Action Plan in 2016, which outlines Singapore's strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. The plan set a target to reduce the country's emissions intensity by 36% from 2005 levels by 2030, and to stabilise emissions with the aim of peaking around 2030. The plan also includes measures to increase energy efficiency, promote the use of renewable energy, and encourage sustainable transportation. In 2019, The Climate Action Plan was updated to Climate Action Plan 2030, which includes the nation's plan to become carbon neutral by 2050. The plan set a target to reduce the country's emissions intensity by 36% from 2005 levels by 2030, and to stabilise emissions with the aim of peaking around 2030. The plan also includes measures to increase energy efficiency, promote the use of renewable energy, and encourage sustainable transportation.

  9. 9.

    While Singapore wants to contribute to the success of international meetings rather than be a spoiler and block the talks by attaching conditions, Singapore’s strategy also implicitly claims the right to development while rejecting emission reduction if this might adversely affect its rate of economic growth. Any carbon emissions reduction, as the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources noted, cannot “compromise economic growth” as doing so would be akin to “shooting ourselves in the foot”. Cheam (2009b, December 3).

  10. 10.

    The plan includes specific initiatives and targets such as:

    • Increasing the proportion of green cover in Singapore to 35% by 2030.

    • Improving water quality in Singapore's reservoirs and waterways.

    • Reducing the carbon footprint of buildings.

    • Improving the energy efficiency of buildings and vehicles.

    • Promoting sustainable transportation, such as cycling and electric vehicles.

    • Enhancing biodiversity and protecting endangered species in Singapore.

    • Encouraging sustainable consumption and production.

  11. 11.

    Lopez and Wong (2017).

  12. 12.

    Temperature in Singapore may reach 33 degree Celsius in the day and humidity level of 100% during prolonged raining seasons with mean annual relative humidity of about 84%. Direct irradiance from sunshine is about 120 Watts/m2.

  13. 13.

    Koh and Wong (2013).

  14. 14.

    Olszewski and Wibowo (2005).

  15. 15.

    Government of Singapore (2022).

  16. 16.

    See SG Press Centre (2012).

  17. 17.

    See Alfred and Goodman (2020); Easton & Ferrari (2015); Eldeeb et al. (2021); Gehrke and Wang (2020); Guzman et al. (2020); Tao et al. (2020). In 1885, British inventors John Kemp Starley and William Sutton offered the Rover bicycles with two equally sized wheels, a chain, direct steering and a stell frame. The design improved in 1888 with John Dunlop’s pneumatic tires. Interestingly, unlike cars, which has changed dramatically over the years, bicycles design has remained remarkably consistent and conservative.

  18. 18.

    Lopez and Wong (2017).

  19. 19.

    Public transportation in Singapore is extensive and generally affordable. It encourages people to ride their first and last mile trips on motorised vehicles which can save them time to reach their next destination. Parents who desire to walk or cycle more can park their cars at home after dropping off their young children at schools and proceed to work by public transportation. The bus service enhancement programme was carefully designed to increase the number of buses on the road. By expanding the MRT network to approximately 360 kilometres by 2030, Singapore aims to enhance accessibility and connectivity for its residents. This ambitious plan is set to bring significant benefits, with the goal of ensuring that 8 out of 10 households will be within a convenient 10-minute walk of a nearby train station.

  20. 20.

    In 2016, new set-up companies like Ofo and Mobike offered bike-sharing services in Singapore.

  21. 21.

    Extracted from Singapore Yearbook of Statistics 2018 published by the Department of Statistics Singapore. See also Elvik (2010).

  22. 22.

    Ng (2022, November 28).

  23. 23.

    Kok (2023, January 13).

  24. 24.

    Lee (2022, June 18).

  25. 25.

    Chua (2022, May 27).

  26. 26.

    Quoted in https://www.ridenjoy.sg/make-the-most-of-the-season-by-following-these-simple-guidelines. Accessed on 18 July 2022.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. PSB Academy, Singapore, Singapore

    Melissa Liow Li Sa

  2. Kaplan Higher Education Institute, Singapore, Singapore

    Sam Choon-Yin

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Correspondence to Melissa Liow Li Sa .

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Liow Li Sa, M., Choon-Yin, S. (2023). Walkability in Singapore. In: Sustainable Urban Development in Singapore. Sustainable Development Goals Series. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-5451-3_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-5451-3_3

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