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Urban scholars have long pointed out that building upwards could result in a decline in street life and community ties. American-Canadian journalist and author Jane Jacobs, for one, often described the high-rise modernist apartments that were increasingly in vogue in the 1960s as \u201ctowers in the park\u201d that reduce street-level activity and isolate residents in higher floors.<\/p>\n
Pritzker Prize-winning architect Riken Yamamoto also recently pointed out that large scale urban developments can erode the social fabric of smaller neighbourhoods. In contrast to rural neighbourhoods, Yamamoto argued that most modern apartment buildings lack the civic and communal spaces necessary for fostering community ties among people. \u00a0<\/p>\n
It is a paradox that closer physical proximity in a high-rise, high-density city can also equate to social isolation and weak community ties.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That said, the reality is that Singapore\u2019s land constraints will make it hard to provide for all without building upwards. If building and living even higher is the way to go, we should turn our attention towards making super-tall residential developments livable, sustainable and inclusive.<\/p>\n
Concerns about fire safety mean that extremely high-rise projects will need even tighter fire safety regulations and stringent building codes. Firefighters will also need to be equipped with the skills and equipment for fighting fires in taller-than-usual buildings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n