Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/222535
Title: INVESTIGATING THE INFLUENCE OF SINGAPORE �S GREENING POLICIES ON INCULCATING BIOPHILIA
Authors: LOEI DEREK
Keywords: Dean's Office (Environmental Management)
2020-2021
Master's
MASTER OF SCIENCE (ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT)
MEM
Lin Shengwei Ervine
Issue Date: 13-Aug-2021
Citation: LOEI DEREK (2021-08-13). INVESTIGATING THE INFLUENCE OF SINGAPORE �S GREENING POLICIES ON INCULCATING BIOPHILIA. ScholarBank@NUS Repository.
Abstract: As Singapore evolves from a “Garden City” (1967), to a “City in a Garden” (1998) and to a “City in Nature” (2020), the greening efforts include the formulation of new policies, fine tuning of existing policies, launch of new initiatives, programmes and certifications, to support the greening vision. Over the last decade, the idea of inculcating biophilia in the general populace has gained traction in Singapore and across Asia1. The Government Agencies such as Urban Redevelopment Board, National Parks Boards and Housing & Development Board (HDB), have been advocating the concepts of Biophilia and shifting the focus towards Singapore as a biophilic city in the recent years2. In 2013, HDB introduced the HDB Biophilic Town Framework, to guide the incorporation of greenery into the functional landscapes, to enhance the natural environment and the well-being of residents3. The framework encourages the intertwine of nature with the built environment to promote a greater sense of place and create liveable spaces. The greening policies have physically manifested into the implementation of more park spaces, park connectors, nature ways and skyrise greeneries. Beside greening infrastructures, Community-In-Bloom initiatives and programmes from the Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology, provide the community and industry stakeholders, with more awareness, knowledge and hands-on experience. The Garden City Fund, a registered charity, was established to partner organisations and individuals to contribute to Singapore’s greenings and promote the sense of ownership. These efforts are publicised on Agencies’ social media platforms for awareness and outreach. With the downstream manifestation of the myriad of greening policies, Singapore has seen the completion of projects with a high emphasis on greening during the past 10 years. These projects include the revamp of BishanAng Mo Kio Park (2012) and the Jewel Changi Airport (2019). These projects have garnered international and local awareness and strengthened the Singapore’s identity of “City in Nature”. As Singapore continues to introduce new greening efforts, fine-tune greening policies and implement greening projects, it is timely to investigate whether the citizens are aware of the greening efforts, the changes in biophilic tendencies over time and the correlation between the degree of awareness and biophilia. A public survey for the general population and a survey for invited experts were launched to seek answers. The surveys concluded with 612 respondents from the general population and 23 respondents from the “Expert Group”. The results disproved the hypothesis of “Awareness of the government’s greening efforts, initiatives and policies have led to an increase in biophilia”. The study has shown that “Awareness” is not a key driver to increase biophilia. Through the survey, it was found that the physical manifestations of the greening efforts have the most impact on biophilia. There was an increase in biophilic tendencies within the general population but the study did not find a correlation between awareness of greening efforts and the increased biophilia. The disproving of the hypothesis is a timely reminder for the policy makers not to be fixated on a single strategy to enhance biophilia.
URI: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/222535
Appears in Collections:Master's Theses (Restricted)

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