OVERLAPPING BOUNDARIES: ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF INCONSISTENT SUB-NATIONAL BOUNDARIES ON URBAN PLANNING AND IDENTITY OF PLACES IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

Geographical boundary is an important element in urban planning. Planners are tasked to plan for an area bounded by a defined boundary. Therefore, boundary affects land use planning, urban design, provision of amenities and identity of a place. Furthermore, boundaries construct the history and social memories of a place, and nudge the everyday behaviours of residents.

Different authorities in Singapore draw unique boundaries to divide Singapore into various districts for the agencies' respective functions. Inconsistency in these sub-national boundaries cause confusion and adversely affects the efficiency of continuous urban planning. The ambiguity of these boundaries hinder the development of a strong local identity and image of a place.

Using the context of Singapore's public housing New Towns, this research aims to assess the impact of inconsistent sub-national boundaries on the efficiency of continuous local planning and urban identity of a place. This research will critique existing boundaries and identify gaps in continuous planning, aesthetic of local infrastructure and brainstorm for suggestions to bridge the transition from large-scale master planning to precinct-level local planning. The research will assess whether there is a need to standardize the boundaries to improve coordination, local planning efficiency, better provision of last quarter-mile amenities; and ensure the boundaries coincide with the public's collective knowledge and social memories of a place.