PLANNING FOR LABRADOR NATURE & COASTAL WALK : WHERE NATURE MEETS LEISURE IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

Singapore continues to support the preservation or development of nature areas in the face of competing land-uses and urbanisation. Using the Labrador Nature & Coastal Walk as a case-study, this report illustrated how cities can support sustainable nature areas that meet the at times competing needs of land-use, leisure and ecology. This is provided the planning, design, construction and operations stages are integrated and fulfill various development principles of sustainable nature-corridors. Cities continue to lose large expanses of nature areas irretrievably through rapid urbanization. Restorative attempts thereafter are often costly. Nevertheless, cities continue to look for innovative means to support nature areas as a way of improving the quality of life of their inhabitants. Cities should therefore preserve as much natural resources as possible, and implement nature areas based on these resources using sustainable principles. However, there is no single framework in implementing successful nature projects, and planners need to contextually determine the extent of sustainability in their projects.