INTEGRATING PLACEMAKING IN FACILITIES PLANNING AND DESIGN FROM THE STUDY OF SINGAPORE RIVER

Abstract

Current facilities planning and design (FPD) approaches are starting to display its inability to cope with emerging challenges arising from changing demographics, sustainability challenges, limitations in public participations and balancing redevelopment and heritage preservation. Due to these changes, there is a need to redefine ideal places perceived by the public and adopt new approaches, such as placemaking, to shape the developments in Singapore to manage the new demands.

Placemaking is a relatively nascent planning approach and concept that encourages community involvement to deliver ideal places, which enjoys economic and social vibrancy, strong sense of community and home, possesses distinctive outlook and good accessibility, tailored for the community.

Singapore River serves as representation to surface inadequate effects of past FPD approaches and feasibility of placemaking in Singapore. Preliminary interviews and expert case study on Singapore River identified flaws in current facilities arising as a result of earlier approaches, whilst showing inadequate receptiveness and positivity on Singapore River One initiatives based on principles lacking of placemaking. Lessons on public-private partnership, diversified initiatives continued monitoring and communication and challenges on placemaking were drawn from the qualitative study. Survey and post survey interviews findings reinforce earlier discovery on ineffectiveness of earlier FPD approaches and displayed confidence in placemaking-based approach as a sustainable solution.

The author distilled placemaking knowledge from placemaking institutes, professionals and study of Singapore River to recommend a framework, consisting of key success principles, process, personnel and desired outcomes, to guide placemaking implementation and ensure retention of identity and attractiveness of places in Singapore.