BICYCLE TOWN : BICYCLE NETWORK + BICYCLE AMENITIES CENTRE

Abstract

Singapore is a densely populated and urbanised island nation with a population density close to 7000 per square kilometre. As a compact state, Singapore has to contain all the necessary requirements of a complete nation, such as defence, industry, commercial, recreational and residential use within its 700 sq kilometres. In addition, these require Singapore to have a well connected and an efficient transport network. Its success is evident by the well planned and high density areas like Tampines and the Central Business District. In spite of the efficient land use, there are pockets of lands which by necessity and policy that resulted in a low population density. One example of such area is the relatively new Tuas industrial zone. Blinded by policy and manufacturing imperatives on large factory sites has resulted Tuas as a very low population density and a mono-functional industrial usage. This manner of land use results in certain unsatisfactory transport phenomenon such as daily congestion at Joo Koon Station which is currently the last MRT station on the East West Line. Although a further 6 station are planned to be added in 2016 to ease the daily congestion at this station, it is still unlikely to solve the problems of congestion at the train station as the issue of low population density is not addressed. Hence, this thesis proposes to address the conflicts of high capacity transport stations with low density land use by proposing a Bicycle Town to encourage bicycle as an alternative mode of transport. The Bicycle Town will consist of two parts: A Bicycle Network that spread across Tuas and a Bicycle Amenities Centre which extend from Joo Koon MRT Station.