REGENERATION OF MANGROVE HABITATS IN SINGAPORE : URBAN ECOLOGY CENTER AND PARK

Abstract

Singapore has often been labeled as a Garden City but upon closer inspection, the distributions of terrestrial habitats are badly skewed towards managed vegetation with low ecological value. Singapore suffers from dramatic loss of ecologically important habitats like primary rainforests and mangrove habitats with up to 99% loss of original cover. Often framed as a zero sum game between human activity and conservation efforts, the thesis proposes a new paradigm of habitat regeneration in the Singapore context focused on the co-development of human activity with nature. Mangrove habitats are selected for regeneration as it presents various advantages in terms of time frame, complexity of intervention, area required and comparative ecological value gained compared to other terrestrial habitats. A canalized river site in Sembawang in Northern Singapore is selected as a site for regeneration as it was once a mangrove environment with various favorable physical, environmental and social factors. On an urban level, the idea of urban metabolism is explored between various components in the surrounding urbanscape, where “waste becomes food”. Various industries were assessed in terms of technology feasibility, suitability and waste streams and a sequence of development of suitable activities are suggested to bridge the existing gaps and close the material flow loops between human and the regenerated mangrove environments. At the building level, the design performs a function as a sanctuary during the process of regeneration and serves also to accelerate and shorten the time taken for this process with the program of a mangrove nursery. The time estimated to complete regeneration planting efforts is 3 years where plant growth would reach >4m. Socially, the building and the surrounding landscape serve to increase understanding of the mangrove environment and complements the existing park connector loop present in the area. On a macro perspective, the design forms part of a larger proposal for co-development of human activity with nature.