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The southern tip of Singapore, where Marina Bay is located today, has been a window to the world for the city state since its early days as a trading port in the 1800s, when the area served as the centre for commercial activities and a point of entry for visitors and immigrants. Following its independence in the mid-1960s, Singapore gradually developed and implemented an integrated approach to urban planning, and the transformation of Marina Bay is perhaps its most successful example.\n<\/p>\n
In the late 1960s and 70s, the nation saw the need to plan for the longer term and to grow the city centre to attract investment, talent and tourists. This resulted in the conceptualisation of Marina Bay, and the decades-long development began in 1971 with ambitious land reclamation efforts. By the late 1990s, 360 hectares of land had been reclaimed to support the vision of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) \u2013 Singapore\u2019s national land-use planning and conservation authority \u2013 for Marina Bay to serve not only as an extension of the central business district, but also a vibrant waterfront district with many attractions plus ample green and blue spaces.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Today, the area is home to many of the city state\u2019s iconic landmarks and continues to evolve as a sustainable, energetic place designed for people to live, work and play around the clock.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cSingapore takes a long-term and integrated approach in urban planning to comprehensively balance different demands and priorities, such as economic growth, social inclusivity and environmental protection,\u201d says Fun Siew Leng, URA\u2019s chief urban designer. \u201cThis allows us to steward our limited land resources to support sustainable development, and to ensure that the needs of our nation, city and people are met.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Fun adds that Marina Bay\u2019s success is the result of URA\u2019s holistic approach to land-use planning and urban design, as well as its close partnerships with other government agencies and private-sector developers. For example, URA introduced the concept of \u201cwhite zoning\u201d to provide market flexibility and encourage a good mix of commercial, residential, hotel and entertainment developments in Marina Bay, resulting in interconnected \u201clive-work-play communities\u201d across the area.\n<\/p>\n
URA also ensured the entirety of Marina Bay is highly accessible. Eight Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations spanning four lines dot the area, while key landmarks such as Marina Bay Sands and the ArtScience Museum are connected by a 3.5km waterfront promenade. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cThoughtful urban design was prioritised in the planning of Marina Bay,\u201d Fun says. \u201cFor instance, buildings along the waterfront are kept low and framed by taller skyscrapers at the back to safeguard views and create a visually dynamic skyline with pleasant and pedestrian-friendly areas.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
The parks and open spaces are also designed to be \u201cintegrated into the larger green and blue networks in the area\u201d, according to Fun. \u201cMore than 100 hectares of land was set aside to develop Gardens by the Bay. Today, the three interconnected gardens create extensive green frontages for the developments around the district, bolstering Singapore\u2019s \u2018City in Nature\u2019 identity.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Marina Barrage, set at the mouth of the Marina Channel, serves three key functions. It has a 10,000-hectare catchment area that collects rainwater to boost Singapore\u2019s water supply, and it also helps reduce flooding risks in low-lying areas. In addition, its sloping turfed roof has become a popular public green space for recreational activities.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
The decades-long journey to transform Marina Bay into the centrepiece of Singapore\u2019s cityscape is far from over. The expansion project for Marina Bay Sands to add more events and entertainment facilities, including a fourth tower and a new waterfront venue called NS Square, are prime examples of the nation\u2019s continuing efforts to enhance this urban design masterpiece and stay competitive on a global level.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cJust as we are never done planning and building Singapore, works to develop and enhance Marina Bay continue to evolve,\u201d Fun says. \u201cThese efforts will ensure that Marina Bay and its surrounding areas will remain vibrant and relevant for current and future generations of Singaporeans and visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n