10 principles for liveable high density cities

1. 10 Principles for Liveable High Density Cities: Lessons
from Singapore
Posted on January 24, 2013 by Robert Krueger
New Publication Shows How UrbanDensityCanBe ManagedwithInnovative Planning,Development and
Governance
SINGAPORE (January 24, 2013) – Innovative planning,design anddevelopment practices that emphasize a “people-first”
focus can help ensure that rapid urbanizationdoes notcompromise liveability and sustainability,accordingto a new
publication by the Urban Land Institute(ULI) and Singapore’s Centre forLiveable Cities (CLC).
10 Principles for Liveable HighDensity Cities:Lessons fromSingapore draws upon Singapore’s successfulurbanization
experience – despite its populationdensity,the city-statehas consistently ranked favorably in various surveys measuring
the liveability and sustainability ofcities aroundthe globe.
The ten principles in the publication were developed during two workshops hostedin 2012 by the CLC and ULI Asia
Pacific, bringing together62thought leaders,experts and practitioners fromdifferent disciplines related to urban planning
and development.Discussionsat the first workshop centredaroundthe fourcasestudydistricts in Singapore that both
organizationsconsiderto be bothdensely populatedand highly liveable:the mixed-use downtown district ofMarina Bay;
the commercial corridorofOrchard Road,and two newpublic housingdevelopments in Toa Payohand Tampines.The
ideas and principles sogenerated were furtherdeveloped,corroborated,and condensed into tenprinciples.
Read the report.
In the foreword to the publication,MrKhaw Boon Wan,Singapore’s MinisterforNationalDevelopment,points to the
lasting benefitsofbuilding cities forpeople.“The inexorable trend ofurbanpopulation growth in modern times is not
likely to stop.Even forcountrieswith no shortage ofland,the growth oftheirurban populations has confrontedtheircities
with constant challengesto thequality oftheirliving environment…ForSingapore,these challenges have been
compounded bythe limitations ofits size as a small island,” he said.“Maintaining a good quality,liveable high-density
urban landscape in which all Singaporeans canfind and make a home is crucialto the survivalofthe Singapore nation.”

2. “Expansive,rapid urbanization is adding challenges to the business ofbuilding cities thatare prosperous,liveable,and
able to withstand time and change,” notesULIChief Executive Officer Patrick L. Phillips. “Through ourworkwith the
CLC, we are aiming to demonstrate howwell-planneddesign anddevelopment is the foundationfora physical
environment thatis conducive to a competitive economy,sustainable environment anda high quality oflife. Ultimately,
cities are about what’sbestforpeople,not buildings orcars.The places that are built to reflect this reality will have a
competitive edge in ourglobalized economy.”
“Singapore is seenas a high density,high liveability development model.We sawsome relevance ofSingapore’s
experience to others,particularly emerging cities,many ofwhomare high densityand wantto raise the quality oflife for
theirpeople.We hope this joint publicationwill contribute in some way towards people having a more optimistic viewof
living in high densitycities,” said Khoo TengChye,Executive Director,CLC.
Each of the 10 principles in the publication reflects Singapore’s integrated modelofplanning anddevelopment,which
weaves togetherthe physical,economic,socialand environmentalaspects ofurban living.The ten principles are:
 Plan for long-term growth and renewal –A highly dense city usually does nothavemuch choice butto make efficient
use ofevery square inch ofits scarce land.Yet city planners need to do this in a way that does notmake the city feel
cramped and unliveable.A combinationoflong-termplanning,responsive land policies,development controland good
design hasenabled Singapore to have dense developments thatdo not feeloverly crowded,and,in fact,are both functional
and aesthetically pleasing.
 Embrace diversity, foster inclusiveness – There is a need to ensure that diversity is not divisive,particularly in densely
populatedcities where people live in close proximity to one another.Densityand diversityworkin Singapore because
there has always beena concurrent focuson creating a sense ofinclusiveness throughencouraging greaterinteraction.
 Draw nature closer topeople – Blending nature into the city helps softenthe hardedges ofa highly built up cityscape
and providesthe city dwellers pocketsofrespite fromthe bustle ofurban life. By adoptinga strategyofpervasive greenery
and by transforming its parks and waterbodies into lifestyle spaces forcommunity activities,Singapore integratednature
with its dense developments.Nearly halfof Singapore is nowundergreencover,which is not only aesthetically pleasing,
but also improves the airquality and mitigates heatfromthe tropicalsun.
 Develop affordable, mixed-use neighbourhoods – The ease ofliving in a compact neighbourhood that is relatively self-
containedcan add to thepleasure ofcity living.With density,it becomes more costeffective to provide common
amenities.Neighbourhoods in Singapore’snewtowns have a mix ofpublic and private developments which are served
with a full range offacilities that are easy to access and generally affordable.
 Make public spaces work harder – Often,parcels ofland that adjoin orsurroundthe city’s infrastructure are dormant,
empty spaces.Singapore hassought to maximize the potentialofthese spaces by unlocking themforcommercial and
leisure activities,The idea is to make all space,including infrastructuralspaces,serve multiple uses and users.
 Prioritise greentransportand building options – An overallreduction in energy consumptionand dependence addsto
city sustainability.Singapore hasadopted a resource-conscious growthstrategythat relies on planning,design andthe use
of low-energy environmentalsystems forits buildings.It has alsodeveloped an efficient public transport systemand well-
connected walkwaysto give city dwellers transport alternatives to driving.

3.  Relieve densitywith variety and add greenboundaries – A high-densitycity need not be allabout closely packedhigh-
rise buildings.Singapore intersperses high-rise with low-rise buildings,creating a skyline with more characterand
reducing the sense ofbeing in a crowded space.
 Activate spaces for greater safety – Having a sense ofsafetyand security is an important quality-of-life factor.As
Singapore became denser,designsofhigh-rise public housingestates were modified to improve the “visualaccess” to
spacesso thecommunity can collectively be the “eyes on the street,” helpingto keep neighbourhoods safe.
 Promote innovative and non-conventional solutions – As a city gets more populatedand built up,it starts facing
constraintson land andresources,and hasto oftenlookat non-traditionalsolutions to getaround thechallenges.To ensure
sufficient water,Singapore developedreclaimed waterunderthe brandname NEWater-to drinking and industrial
standards.
 Forge “3P” (people, public, private) partnerships – With land parcels in close proximity to one another,the effectsof
development in one area are likely to be felt quickly and acutely in neighbouringsites.The city government and all
stakeholders need to worktogetherto ensure they are not taking actions that would reduce thequality oflife for others.
URA launched theSingapore RiverONE partnership to getthe various stakeholders to feela strongerownership of
Singapore Riverso that socialand economic activity in the precinct would be developedin a coordinated andsustainable
manner.
“Fornew cities that are forming and oldercities that are redeveloping…the ten principles can be a starting point forcity
planners,developersand dwellers to triggerideas abouthowtheywant theircity to evolve andbe shaped,”states the
publication.“Creating a highly dense yet liveable city,while not always easy,is very possible.”
NOTE TO EDITORS AND REPORTERS: The 10 Principles for Liveable HighDensityCities:Lessons from
Singapore report is nowavailable for download.
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