TOWARDS A CREATIVE MILIEU: A RESEARCH ON THE EXTENT URBAN PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE INNOVATIVE CLIMATE OF SINGAPORE

Abstract

Singapore is in the process of rebuilding its economic structure. From an efficientdriven economy to an innovative‐driven one, the ability to develop its own marketable brands and services will enable the nation to remain economically competitive. However, there are a couple of issues that will need to be addressed for this vision to materialize on top of the already valiant efforts made by the government. The city‐state being built on the very notion of efficiency – with its seamless transportation and meticulous landuse optimization – could be the very obstacle in achieving her vision of an innovative‐driven economy. The purely topdown approach in ‘dictating’ the way people use and view the city robs any spirit of initiative and the ability to appropriate space from its inhabitants. In addition, unaffordable spaces within the city further hamper any form of entrepreneurship. (conformed mentality) Innovation is the realization of a creative idea and creativity is a fundamental and intrinsic human characteristic. To harness this intrinsic energy, the environment needs to change in order to facilitate a switch in attitude and mindset towards creative processes, and sufficiently provide opportunities for these processes to be practiced within the city. The paper will uncover and dissect initiatives that could contribute to a creative environment, on the urban and architecture level: with urban incubators, convergence centers, and unprogrammed public spaces addressing the macro‐scale; and the advantages spaces of encounter, spaces that stimulate, spaces for reflection and spaces to play, can contribute on the micro‐scale. This is followed by an analytically consideration of the adaptability and extent, such initiatives can be applied and explore in the context of Singapore.