SKY RECRE-ATIONAL HUB : RECLAIMING AIR SPACE ABOVE ECP EXPRESSWAY : RECONNECTING DISSECTED SPACES

Abstract

The premise of this thesis began with the issue of land scarcity that Singapore is facing with an increasingly high density population. It questions the current land planning strategy which does not take into account multiple land use. Expressways currently take up about six percent of Singapore’s total land area, and there is great potential to utilize the air space above these highways to meet future needs. This thesis believes in a paradigm shift in treating infrastructure as separate from traditional land use.

The site selected is along the ECP Expressway flanked by East Coast Park and Marine Parade HDB estates. This thesis aims to strengthen the existing weak linkage between the residential vicinity and the Park. This would help increase public accessibility to the parks and provide social integration to the existing site through the proposed programme- a dedicated place for a recreational hub integrated with a garden bridge which serves as a social linking bridge for park-goers, cyclists and pedestrians to easily cross over to and from the East Coast Park. Building above the ECP can also alleviate the stress of land use on the East Coast Park itself by freeing up the space at the park for more relevant social activities which require the outdoor environment.