THE URBAN ALGAE WEB : CAPITALISE + CLEANSE + CONNECT

Abstract

Singapore has 32 major waterways that lead to 15 reservoirs. The waterways occupy a total length of 93km (width ranging from 20m to 80m) which is twice the length of the entire island. The thesis explores the possibility of using these water spaces to create a new urban landscape which attempts to bridge the ‘faultines’ created by the waterways.

As Singapore becomes more urbanised, the quality of waterways that lead to their respective reservoirs would be compromised. In order to use these water spaces and introduce water-based activities in these waterways, the water of this stormwater network needs be cleansed. The thesis proposes an Urban Algae Web which aims to cleanse the stormwater by removing nutrients from the waterways and in the process grow algae. The algae biomass recovered from the water can then be harvested to be used as fertilizer, cosmetics and biofuel.