10 years of NUS Master of Landscape Architecture

NUS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Department of Architecture

School of Design and Environment

National University of Singapore

4 Architecture Drive

Singapore 117566

Editor-in-Chief

Hwang Yun Hye

Editors

Diehl Jessica (Dr)

Endo Kenya

Feng Yuanqiu

Guo Lehana

Lin Ervine (Dr)

Tan Puay Yok (Dr)

© INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS, 2020

ISBN: 978-981-14-4966-6

E-Book ISBN: 978-981-14-4967-3

Title: 10 years of NUS Master of Landscape Architecture, 2009-2019

Cover Design: Studio Vanessa Ban

Printed By: Welon Printing Co.

All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission of the publisher.

The publisher does not warrant or assume any legal responsibility for the publication’s contents. All opinions expressed in the book are of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the National University of Singapore.

This book is a compilation of 10 years of the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) Programme at the National University of Singapore. The first section contains the background of the programme and its importance in Singapore. The second section summarizes works what students and faculty members have done to envision urban nature and the human environment as part of our programme. The last section is an overview of the MLA team, contributors, and alumni’s reflections on our MLA journey.

As with the past 10 years, we are excited for what the future of the programme will bring. We continue to advance our collective understanding on emerging demands of landscapes and to advocate for stewardship in safeguarding and enhancing urban landscapes. Our ambition is to surpass past achievements and continue to diversify and deepen our impact by the time we consolidate the next 10 years of NUS Landscape Architecture.

HISTORY OF MLA PROGRAMME IN NUS

CONTENTS

DESIGN STUDIOS

DEFORESTATION MANAGEMENT

LAND-WATER INTERFACE

RE-WILDING SINGAPORE

LANDSCAPE & URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE

NEIGHBOURHOOD LANDSCAPES

PRODUCTIVE LANDSCAPES

LANDSCAPE PLANNING

LANDSCAPE IN HIGH DENSITY ENVIRONMENTS

URBANISING REGIONS

LANDSCAPE AS NECESSITY

FOREWORD

HO PUAY PENG HEAD, DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE

I would like to congratulate the Master of Landscape Architecture programme on the 10th anniversary of the launch of the programme at NUS. This is the only professional programme on landscape architecture offered in Singapore and in ten years, it has achieved a universal renown that we are proud of. The past ten years have allowed the programme to mature and make significant contributions to landscape education and research, both locally and regionally, and certainly internationally. The most obvious harvest is the education of more than 100 alumni who are contributing enormously in the landscape sector in various parts of the world. They acquired the knowledge and skill from the programme and are able to make a difference in the locale they are now working. We are proud of the alumni and would want to work with them continuously to advance the profession of landscape architecture.

In both teaching and research, MLA programme and faculty members work closely along the national agenda of Singapore in creating a ‘City in Nature’. Through many design studios and research projects, the scope, characters, strategies, and methods for implementing this agenda were explored and tested with design solutions. The results had been both pragmatic and speculative, and contribute to making Singapore the epicenter of tropical landscape and urban nature. I am sure it will continue to provide leadership in professionalism and research in landscape architecture and studies.

I would like to thank all students, alumni, faculty members and admin staff who had given so much to make this 10-year journey a great success. Without your efforts, we will not be able to reach this milestone. We are looking forward to greater things to come, not least the introduction of the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture programme: the formation of a substantial creative prowess for landscape research and practices at NUS.

PARTNERSHIP IN TRANSFORMING SINGAPORE’S LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY

LEONG CHEE CHIEW (DR) & ER KENNETH (DR) DEPUTY CEO & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NATIONAL PARKS BOARD

The greening of Singapore

Singapore’s greening movement began in earnest in the 1960s with our founding Prime Minister’s vision of a Garden City. Over the years, with continued urbanisation, greenery became increasingly vital for liveability in our small and highly built-up island state. With growing environmental concerns, the mitigation of urban heat island and the impacts of climate change has also become a priority. Against this backdrop, the vision has evolved from Garden City to City in a Garden, and now, City in Nature. This presents the landscape industry with tremendous opportunity for growth as well as concomitant challenges regarding capacity, skill, professionalism and standards.

The landscape industry

The industry is currently worth about $861 million in revenue and employs some 12,000 persons. It comprises of companies that provide services such as plant nurseries, landscape architecture & design, landscape implementation and horticulture management.

Enlarging the green estate

Singapore is one of the greenest cities in the world, and will become even greener in the years ahead. In Master Plan 2019, our 7,800 ha of green spaces would increase by another 1,000 ha in the next 10-15 years. The 340 km of park connectors would increase by an additional 160 km by 2030, and would include the Round Island Route, Rail Corridor and the Bukit Timah-Rochor Green Corridor, part of which will be an innovative skypark over Bukit Timah Canal. The 120 ha of skyrise greenery would increase to 200 ha by 2030.

Capacity building

NParks set up the Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology (CUGE) in 2007 to prepare the industry for future demands. CUGE has been instrumental is training a previously unskilled workforce. NParks’ industry development initiatives through the Landscape Productivity Roadmap in 2011 focused on skill development and improving productivity. CUGE also enhanced professional development through the introduction of professional certification like the Certified Arborist, Certified Practising Horticulturist, Certified Park Manager and Certified Playground Inspector. Initiatives like the Landscape Productivity Grant incentivised mechanisation. The Progressive Wage Model was implemented through the efforts of the Tripartite Cluster for Landscape Industry (TCL) to make the salaries of landscape workers more competitive as they become better trained and more highly skilled.

In tandem with efforts to raise standards of horticulture and arboriculture, NParks took over the management of greenery on lands owned by HDB, PUB and SLA. NParks’ tree registry system would be expanded to include trees in Town Council areas to facilitate higher standards in tree management. To strengthen greenery management, CUGE conducts research in arboriculture, horticulture and ecology. NParks’ tree management regime adopts the highest international standards, and in certain areas, surpass them. To ensure long-term stability for the industry, NParks took on the role of providing land for landscape nurseries, and the promotion of technology and productivity in the use of such land.

Challenges faced by the landscape industry

In spite of efforts to improve training, skill development and productivity, the industry continued to be perceived as menial and low paying, with little prospect for career advancement. The ageing workforce was not being replaced by young talent. Other more competitive industries were attracting the graduates from the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL). Although there was some

“...The City in Nature vision..the new paradigm ...of restoring nature back into our city”

mid-career recruitment of those displaced from other industries, the number was small. A transformation was urgently needed.

Landscape Sector Transformation Plan (LSTP)

In 2017, stakeholders including the landscape contractors, professional associations, institutions of higher learning, union and government agencies came together to deliberate on what was needed of the industry in order to sustain the greening vision. The opportunities were clear to the stakeholders. Greenery in Singapore was increasingly more complex, and a highly skilled workforce would be required to sustain it. Beyond the basic productivity initiatives, more needed to be done to raise professionalism and make the industry attractive.

City in Nature

The industry’s commitment to transformation was timely. The City in Nature vision was announced by the Ministry of National Development in March 2020. The new paradigm would be to plan and develop with the view of restoring nature back into our city. Nature would permeate urban infrastructure to soften its harshness, restore balance in the ecosystem and ensure liveability. In so doing, Singapore’s natural heritage and rich native biodiversity would be safeguarded for future generations of Singaporeans. Four broad thrusts would be involved: (i) build upon the nature reserves to ensure a healthy ecosystem, (ii) restore nature in gardens and parks, (iii) integrate nature into the built environment, (iv) strengthen connectivity between our green spaces. The active support and participation of the entire community would underpin the vision and would foster closer bonds between Singaporeans and a deeper sense of stewardship and ownership for the environment.

Some of the key initiatives under City in Nature include planting 1mil trees over the next 10 years; strengthening Singapore’s natural capital, the nature reserves, with the addition of 250 ha of nature parks; and restoring native habitats in 50% of all gardens and parks. The aspiration is to make every road a Nature Way so that the forest environment along our roads would contribute to a cooler Singapore. Hotspots of highest temperature like industrial areas would also be greened up.

Skills and technology needed for a City in Nature

To become a City in Nature, we would need to revolutionise the way gardens and parks are designed, and streetscapes are planted, so that nature becomes our assurance of liveability, and defence against the impacts of climate change. We would need to equip ourselves with new tools, and leverage on technology and digitalisation.

Building on existing strengths to manage our growing population of trees, modelling techniques such as the Tree Structural Model (TSM) would predict the impact of environmental conditions such as wind speed on the structural integrity of trees. This would help guide pruning interventions to improve tree stability. Changes in stability would also be detected by wireless tree tilt sensors for timely intervention. Lidar (Laser in detection and ranging) technology would map the locations and physical attributes of trees. We would have tools to detect decay in roots below the soil surface and to efficiently manage contractors’ vehicle fleets. A landscape library for Building Information Modelling would also be available.

Beyond these, the application of disciplines like ecology increase greatly. The conservation of pollinators like bees would be strengthened. Night vision equipment would enable a better understanding of the behaviour of nocturnal animals. Innovations like the Roadway Animal Detection System would help protect animals from becoming roadkill. Predictive modelling would help establish the complementarity between habitats for better planning. For example, the application of this tool together with radio tracking of birds, provided scientific evidence to support the conservation of Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat by establishing that it complements Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. GPS tracking of migratory birds would provide insights into the migratory routes along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Technology would be key in the City in Nature.

Implementation of the LSTP

The LSTP was launched in May 2019. The LSTP’s objective was the creation of a professional and productive industry through six thrusts, these being industry standards, digitalisation &

mechanisation; education & training; progressive contracting; making available land for nursery plots; exporting services; and whole of government support for the industry.

The Skills Framework for Landscape Industry was also approved by Skills Future Singapore was a key reference standard mapping out the training and skills needed for the growth of the industry, as well as to support the career progression and pathways for the workers and professionals.

Collaboration with tertiary institutions

As part of the LSTP, NParks and the Institute of Education (ITE) collaborated in revamping the NITEC and higher NITEC curriculum of the urban greenery & landscape courses. Students and their parents were assured of the career opportunities in the landscape industry and the pathways for advancing the students’ education and professional development. The image of menial labour was debunked. Instead, students were equipped with wide ranging higher value skills in design, nature conservation, ecology, arboriculture, horticulture and park management. ITE also introduced a Work Study Diploma, the curriculum of which was formulated in collaboration with the industry. Student-run parks and the Work Study Diploma offer students the opportunity to clock working experience which would enable them to fulfil the prerequisites for professional certification even while they are studying. To provide further exposure for the students, NParks also facilitated the collaboration with Australian institutions like the Australian Institute of Horticulture and Roma Street Park for training and attachment opportunities for the students.

“...We need to revolutionise... so that nature becomes our assurance of liveability and defence against the imapct of climate change.”

NParks set up Bedok Town Park as the first student-run park in July 2019. Under the mentorship of NParks staff, ITE students became adept in using advanced technology for tree inspection, designing and constructing therapeutic, nature-play and butterfly gardens, setting up a bee hotel, and applying skills in data management, playground inspection, tree climbing and the use of drones and labour saving machinery including the robotic lawn mower. They would be primed to hit the ground running in the private and public sectors upon graduation.

Partnership was also forged with the polytechnics and universities. Mr Peter Lim set up a scholarship to support students pursuing tertiary education in the fields of horticulture and animal science. Disbursement of the scholarship awards would be through NParks’ Garden City Fund. To strengthen their curriculum, NParks would offer to teach modules in areas like ecology and nature conservation, as well as to implement staff exchanges with the IHLs as a means of providing their students the skills needed to manage a City in Nature. NParks expanded the student-run park scheme by setting aside Clementi Woods Park for the training of Ngee Ann Polytechnic Diploma in Landscape Design and Horticulture students. The Landscape Industry Association of Singapore would also help to train the students in Bedok Town Park and Clementi Woods Park, strengthening the interaction between students and seasoned industry professionals.

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

NParks has been sending its scholars for undergraduate studies in Bachelor of Environmental Studies, and postgraduate studies in Master of Science (Environmental Management) and Master

“...NParks was pleased to work with the National University of Singapore ...at the early stages of conceptualising the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture course.”

of Landscape Architecture. NParks was very pleased for the opportunity to work with the National University of Singapore (NUS) at the early stages of conceptualising the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) course. A BLA that equips local landscape architects with wide skillsets and understanding of tropical urban ecosystems, conservation, ecology, native biodiversity, and biophilic design would be a boost to the industry. The BLA would satisfy the demand for locally trained landscape architects, and also support the Government’s push to internationalize Singapore’s landscape industry leveraging on its international renown as a green city, for which a pool of well-trained landscape professionals would be key. The BLA would also expand the pathway for ITE and polytechnic students to further tertiary education. The BLA was greatly welcomed by the landscape industry when it was announced.

An exciting future for young talent

NParks will continue to work with the IHLs to prepare their graduates for a forward-looking landscape industry.

Graduates will find themselves in the forefront of an industry that will embrace new areas of knowledge and skills. These include learning to manage wildlife for harmony between people and nature; extending knowledge and expertise to the region and beyond for complementary in sustaining key habitats for migratory birds; engaging the community more extensively for coownership and stewardship of the City in Nature; and realising the benefits that nature brings to the health and wellbeing of the populace. All these, and more, would challenge young talent and provide engaging careers.

A decade of the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) programme is an important milestone. To mark it with the launch of the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) is farsighted. As partners in the landscape industry journey, we offer NUS our warmest congratulations!

HISTORY OF MLA PROGRAMME IN NUS

WONG YUNN CHII (DR) HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE (2007-2017)

We recognize that gardens, parks and landscapes amidst our urban settings do marvelous things to our lives. Making us happy and healthy. Thrilling us to the wonders of nature’s beauty and diversity. Reminding us of the fragility of life itself. Yet, while we accept them as a part of us, we often take them for granted; habituated in assuming that they ‘just happen,’ and they ‘will always be there.’ The mildness of our weather and fecundity of our land continues to bequeath us these gifts. While the assumptions are partly true, it is also foolhardy for us to believe in their natural perpetuity. More so in the context of urbanized Singapore.

In the first place, our physical developments continue to place demands on whatever is left of our ‘natural’ places. Gambier and pepper plantations devastated the primary forests in the early years of our colonial settlement. Closer to our time, the competition for scarce land resources to fulfil an imagined standard of living, and the pressures of global climate changes, all extoll greater loads to whatever is left of our natural settings.

For this reason, the study of and the care for nature, landscapes and the cultivation of new ones is vital for our national survival and resilience. The journey to this realisation is long in its making; and a decade ago, we took the first step. It resulted in the first graduate professional program in Landscape Architecture.

It was a journey with numerous false starts; perhaps the time was not right due to the exigencies of other educational concerns. In the chronicles to chart the genesis of our landscape architecture program, these ‘start-stops’ punctuate our institutional awareness, nudging us along to do the right thing. We count among these earlier pioneers as caring individuals, advocating the discipline as worthy for pursuit: in the eighties through the nineties, Damien Mugavin, Edmund Waller and finally, Ong Boon Lay. Boon Lay succeeded in moving along a white paper on Master studies in landscape architecture at NUS, in collaboration with SILA (Singapore Institute of Landscape Architecture). And it was his dogged effort that finally secured the support and approval of the Ministry of Education. As the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program’s inaugural director, Boon Lay’s interest in holistic environmental design, formed during his doctoral studies at Cambridge, underpinned and shaped the program’s pedagogical ethos.

“...The study of and the care for nature and landscapes and the cultivation of new landscapes is vital for our national survival and resilience...We took the first step a decade ago when we created the first graduate professional programme in Landscape Architecture.”

We recognized from the start that the Landscape Program at NUS is uniquely positioned to be among the best in Asia. Firstly, in joining the orbit of associated design endeavors already in place, namely architecture, urban design, integrated sustainable design and industrial design, it completes belief in comprehensive and integrated design. Secondly, in the context of an island city state, it is defined by the responses to the special challenges to inculcate a special cluster of skills and knowledge system. Thirdly, in the context of island-archipelago Southeast Asia, in the face of the environmental challenges caused by the inter-linked global climatic warming, denudation of natural areas, and rapid urbanization, landscape architecture’s cascading scales of attack were especially poignant. Over the next six years, Jörg Rekittke, the Program’s second director, was instrumental in formalizing the instructional rubrics for realising these goals. Cases and projects sited in Singapore and the region quickly demonstrated the urgency of both design actions and research knowledge needed. And under the leadership of Tan Puay Yok, a heightening of research knowledge to sharpen the designer’s tool sets.

The achievements of the MLA over this past ten years were obtained through the perseverance of a few core faculty and a battery of adjunct appointments consisting of professionals and scientists. We count among them Henry Steed, Shawn Lum, Bianca Maria Rinaldi, Wolfgang Wende, Philip Paar, Stefan Benard, S K Ganesan, Veera Sekaran, Otto Fung, Lim Swee Ting, Long Seen Hui, Sherman Stave and Tan Peck Chong. Puay Yok and Yun Hye, our remaining core faculty steered the program to what it is today, a program of substance and significance, truly fitting and extending the Program’s vision. To all these dedicated individuals and a decade of graduands from the MLA Program who believed in our unique objectives, we thank them for holding the line and building the course.

OVERVIEW OF NUS MLA

TAN PUAY YOK (DR) PROGRAMME DIRECTOR, NUS MLA (2015 - CURRENT)

In teaching the only graduate programme in landscape architecture in Singapore, my colleagues and I are constantly reminded of the overriding purpose of our work—the NUS MLA must make a difference through our graduates and the academic and professional activities of the MLA faculty. It is timely now, as I look back on the past decade and ahead to the next one, to share my reflections on the key premises that have guided us in shaping the MLA programme.

My colleagues and I agree that three key factors should guide our programme. First, we must build the strength of our programme in Asia, not only because it is where we are, not only because the next century is touted as the Asian century, but because there is so much that landscape architecture can do as a profession to make Asian growth more benign to the environment, one that assures the conservation of natural heritage and cultural landscapes. The sheer diversity of ecosystems, climate, geography, culture, and heritage, as well as the immense socio-ecological challenges brought about by very rapid land development, population growth, the growing middle class, large coastal populations threatened by climate change, etc., presents a rich backdrop within which to ask an urgent question—how can landscape architecture make a difference in Asia, to people, the environment, practice, and education?

Second, as we look out, we must also remember to look in, to Singapore. NUS MLA is taught in what is widely recognised as the greenest high-density city in the world. Despite its small land mass, high population density, and high-rise environment, Singapore is remarkably, very green. While this achievement offers useful lessons in how policy, laws, governance, and science can work together, critical questions must also be asked. Should Singapore be a reference, a model for other cities? Can a green city be also ecological, and if so, how does landscape architecture play a role? How do we leverage opportunities for our students to learn real-life lessons in engaging policy makers and the community? Wonderful opportunities exist for us and our students; to take advantage of them, we must eagerly and skilfully engage partners to work with us.

Third, landscape architecture is like geography, a very broad discipline, so we need to find our own niche within it. Landscape architecture is a messy discipline that appears to claim intellectual and professional space in the design of home gardens, indoor and semi-indoor green spaces in buildings, large gardens, and parks, (nature-based) urban and large-scale infrastructures, green space planning, regional planning, etc. Landscape architecture draws on knowledge from arts and aesthetics, plant sciences and ecology, construction and technology, hydrology and hydraulics, physical sciences and social sciences, etc. In fact, the list of disciplines with which landscape architecture is associated has expanded in recent years. This is not necessarily a problem in an evolving discipline, but what should the NUS MLA focus on, given the inadequate curricular space and teaching resources to maintain adequate breadth and depth? This is not unique to us. Every design school is faced with the same challenge. Some choose to focus on representation as a core emphasis, some specialize in sustainable design, and others take a more grounded approach to promoting realizable design. Still others encourage a more speculative approach to envisioning the future. All aspects are valuable, but no school can afford to teach all. Over time, NUS MLA has used the term “research-centric approach to design” as a distinguishing feature of the programme. What this means for us is that in teaching design, we emphasize rigour in systematic analysis of the site to define problems and identify potential, and the information gained is combined with knowledge of the sciences to derive interventions that are represented spatially and graphically. In promoting the link between science and design, we provide a means for faculty members to bring their research into teaching and to use teaching as a resource for their research. As none of us will ever know every scientific discipline in depth, our teaching faculty must necessarily know the blind spots and gaps in a design task, co-opt the necessary expertise, and in so doing, enrich their teaching, their students, and themselves.

“... In teaching design, we emphasize rigour in systematic analysis of the site to define problems and identify potential...”

In short, NUS MLA extracts lessons from Singapore, sets its sights on Asia, and uses research as an approach to ground design through the application of scientific knowledge.

How have we done, and where do we go from here?

I am not ashamed to say that we have done well. For many years, MLA has operated with a very lean faculty team, and have about 100 graduates who make us proud. About 70% are in practice; 20% are in a regulatory role in government agencies but remain in the urban planning, landscape planning, and landscape design disciplines, and the remaining 10% have gone on to do research or are in academia. Many are in senior positions in their workplace, and a handful have started their own practice. Many of the local graduates are actively engaged in local professional organisations, promoting landscape architecture to the younger generation. Leakage from the profession is low, and we hope that many will keep the passion as they develop their careers in whichever field they select.

Have they made a difference to shaping developments in Asia? I believe they have, each in his or her own small way. Have we claimed a mindshare among the few hundred MLA programmes in the world over the last ten years? I would like to think so, from the ever-increasing application numbers each year and the near doubling of our class size. This is where credits must be given to my past and present colleagues, as well as the leadership in the Department of Architecture and School of Design and Environment for believing that landscape architecture is a core domain in its educational mission.

But we are clearly not “there” yet, simply because the discipline is evolving, new techniques and tools that need to be taught are constantly developing, and the knowledge domains from which we draw theories and contents in landscape architecture education are shifting. I see three tasks ahead of us in NUS MLA.

First, we must keep pace with rapid advancement in digital and remote sensing techniques and incorporate them in our teaching. It was not that long ago that remotely obtained images from airborne drones took hours to be stitched together to be used for visualisation and design. Now, there are abundant software that now only do this quite effortlessly, they also produce DEM and DSM for design applications that would again have taken many hours of site measurements in the past to produce. LiDAR-produced point clouds should, in a few more years, become a viable platform for landscape design, and when coupled to environmental models, enable a performancebased method of landscape design. Thanks to the hyper-realistic visualisation methods from the gaming industry, visualisation techniques deployed for landscape design have grown by leaps and bound, and it is now almost routine to see fly-through and fly-over of landscape designs in design competitions. We need to enhance our teaching to ensure our graduates are ready for industry expectations when they graduate.

Second, we all recognise that the big challenges confronting societies today cannot be solved by a single discipline, certainly not landscape architecture alone. Indeed, it would be foolhardy to suggest that landscapes, or anything green, are a panacea to all the environmental challenges in the world. Global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, etc. can only be managed through interdisciplinary collaborations. Although landscape architecture has a role, more often than not, in real life it is combined with other professions. We should and can step up our efforts in interdisciplinary collaborations, such as with architecture, urban planning, or even non-design disciplines, such as conservation biology and social sciences, to reinforce the need for interdisciplinarity in practice. Useful lessons can also be learnt from our past experiences in running joint studios with colleagues here in the school and with other universities.

“... We all recognise that the big challenges confronting societies today cannot be solved by a single discipline...”

Third, we should diversify our student composition. Cross-learning between students from different socio-cultural backgrounds and with different emphases in landscape architecture education at the Bachelor’s level is an enriching experience for MLA students. Friendships are forged during the two years here, and over time, these can turn into valuable professional networks. Over the past decade, in addition to our local students, we have had students from Columbia, China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Japan, and Thailand, with exchange students from New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. Student numbers from other countries remain low, however, compared to India and China, and we should particularly explore means to increase the representation from other Asian cities to enrich the experience of our students.

The year 2020 marks an important year for landscape architecture education in Singapore. Having mooted the idea for many years, we will launch the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture in the academic year 2020/21. Finally, we have a bridge between a diploma and a master degree in the national academic programme for landscape architecture. The next 10 years is therefore, not just about MLA, but about how MLA and BLA will collectively shape the golden years of landscape architecture education in Singapore. We have high expectations, and my colleagues and I are eagerly looking forward to making our contributions.

“...We should and can step up our efforts in interdisciplinary collaborations, such as with architecture, urban planning, or even non-design disciplines, such as conservation biology and social science...”

DESIGN STUDIOS

39 Design studios since 2009

15 Asian cities including Singapore, Phnom penh, Manila, Jakarta, Mumbai. Bangalore, Shanghai, Seoul, Taipei, Udaipur, Bali, Malacca, Sukabumi

10 Studio topics that relate to socioecological issues of landscape change in high-density Asian cities

30 International student awards including ASLA, IFLA, SILA, VCA, and BSD

35 Publications including studio books, book chapters, conference proceedings, and academic papers

The Landscape Design Studio, a core module in the MLA programme, aims to develop higher level skills and knowledge in landscape architecture through design projects. Projects are undertaken to explore a multitude of socioenvironmental issues in complex urban areas, especially in Singapore and other Asian cities. Studio features multifaceted relationships between open space, infrastructure, community, ecology, policies, and society as springboard for design development. Through these projects, students learn to understand contested issues, demands, acquire fundamental skills and techniques to synthesise knowledge, and develop logical thinking from concept development to outcomes. Thirty-nine studios conducted over ten years, led by eleven tutors with different expertise, have cumulated into a spectrum of design studios covering the ten following topics: deforestation management, land-water interface, re-wilding Singapore, landscape & urban infrastructure, landscape and mobility, neighbourhood landscapes, productive landscapes, landscape planning, landscape in high density environments, urbanizing regions, and landscape as necessity.

Photo by Hu Zhijie (MLA’15)

1. DEFORESTATION MANAGEMENT

The four studios in this section focus on developing landscape design strategies to manage and mitigate the impacts of secondary forest loss in Singapore.

AY 12/13-1 LA4701

BUKIT BROWN LANDSCAPE SCENARIO

Tutor: Hwang Yun Hye

(Supported by Lum Shawn)

KEY THEMES

Socio-ecological value of urban forests; Highdensity urban development; Design strategies to minimize environmental impact of deforestation; Urban development scenarios for ecologically sustainable estates

Students: Sandilya Atreyee, Chen Jiahui, Cheong Wan Ying, Lee Xiao Ling Lynn, Li Jinmu, Patil Mayura

AY 13/14-1 LA4701

PASIR RIS WOODLAND LANDSCAPE SCENARIO

Tutor: Hwang Yun Hye

(Supported by Lum Shawn)

Students: Chow Zhaoyu Jaden, Feng Yuanqiu, Goh Weixiang, Hu Zhijie, Kow Xiao Jun, Loh Peiqi, Uraiwan Songmunstapon, Wan Jing, Xu Haohui, Xu Lanjun, Xu Yan, Zhang Shangyu

AY 15/16-1 LA4701

TENGAH FOREST ESTATE

Tutors: Hwang Yun Hye, Feng Yuanqiu

(Supported by Lum Shawn)

Students: Chang Mei Fen Pearlyn, Chen Jumin, Chen Wei, Liu Yu, Pu Wenjun, Qian Xuanyu, Su Yuting, Tan Wenbin, Wang Yuqian, Zhang Qingqing, Widodo Amanda Dwiyani, Chandra Amanda Jennifer, Chia Ming Kuang, Neo Jasmine, Nur Afiqah Bte Agus, Wang ChaoChao, Wu Yu-Chen

AY 16/17-1 LA4701

TAGORE LANDSCAPE SCENARIO

Tutor: Hwang Yun Hye

(Supported by Lum Shawn)

Students: Chandra Amanda Jennifer, Bai Zhuhui, Dai Junwei, Sun Hao Jen Ashley, Wu Yitong, Yan Ran

CALIBRATING

TIMESCALES

by Feng Yuan Qiu (MLA’15) who

developed an alternative timeline of open space development to allow interim uses and maturation of landscapes in a rapidly changing urban environment.

Secondary forests in Singapore are often viewed as temporary. Based on land use designations in the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Master Plan, most could become residential, commercial, institution, or reserve sites over the next 10–15 years. These urban forests presently occupy a significant proportion of land, with important functions in the socio-ecological system of the city—biological, biophysical and social-cultural. When developing forested sites, it is important to take this into account and manage long-term socio-ecological consequences.

In response to the issue of secondary forest loss, four design studios between 2012 and 2016 studied forests projected to be cleared in the near future. Situated in the south of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, Bukit Brown woodland (Studio 2012) is a living museum—a cultural and ecological hot spot— but the new four-lane highway is planned to cut through the 200ha woodland. Despite its small size (2ha), Pasir Ris woodland (Studio 2013), in the north-eastern tip of Singapore, is a haven for endangered birds and an invaluable asset for nearby residents. Tengah forest (Studio 2015) is one of the largest secondary forest sites (720ha) connecting the central to western catchment. Tagore forest (Studio 2016) is an important stopover for wildlife moving from the central catchment nature reserves; it has distinctively rich biodiversity and contains rare freshwater streams.

Common questions investigated in the studios were the following: How can we compensate for the potential socio-ecological impacts of deforestation while meeting commercial and housing demands? Should the woodland be largely conserved or could it be developed in an environmentally responsible fashion? Beyond

simply preserving the site, can novel design prototypes infuse greater ecological functions and diversity into the urban context? How can design improve well-being and promote a stewardship ethic in city dwellers by bringing nature closer to everyday life?

The first half of each studio began with a theoretical understanding of urban ecology and tropical urban forests, with intellectual input from urban ecologists. Intensive fieldwork captured the spatial characteristics and locality of the assigned forests. Guided by members of Nature Society Singapore Group and environmental surveyors, students collected data for design decision-making, including types and locations of habitats, valuable plant species, animal movement, landforms, natural water flows, microclimate, soil quality, and site history. Students also interacted with residents in the periphery of the woodlands to understand socio-cultural attachment to nature. The second half of the studio was the design development stage; it included prioritizing ecological, biophysical, and socio-cultural values of the sites, envisioning future landscape scenarios based on the ecosystem value assessment, experiencing iterative design process, and applying designs.

As the plots targeted were slated for high-dense housing development, student proposals focused on the design of residential neighbourhoods, synthesizing social, ecological and aesthetic considerations. As development encroaches into green spaces all over the island, a set of design proposals to address the secondary forest context is imperative to manage the social and ecological consequences.

INTERWOVEN WATERSCAPE by Wu Yitong (MLA’18) mimicked the structure and systems of the freshwater streams in Tagore to create a multi-layered and water-sensitive/self-sustainable neighbourhood offering more socio-ecological services.

URBAN GREENERY AS A LOCAL HABITAT by Kow Xiao Jun (MLA’15) identified strategic movement trajectories of fauna and inserted local habitats for targeted species into urban greenery including green roofs, home yards and streetscapes

SYNC-BIOSIS by Chang Pearlyn (MLA’17) and Wang ChaoChao (M.Arch’17) proposed a phase development based on value mapping of the forest whilst considering ecological regeneration and restoration as a premptive design action.

promoted sustainable resource management by maximizing the use of

materials

FROM LAND TO PLACE by Chen Jiahui (MLA’14)

on-site

like topsoil, trees, mulch, and water.

LIVING IN A FOREST Based on a mapping of unique landscape features and elements to evoke distinctive Tengah forest characteristics, Zhang Qingqing and Su Yuting (MLA’17) developed a sense of place by integrating everyday life in a residential neighbourhood with the landscape.

RELATED OUTCOMES

STUDENT DISSERTATIONS

Chang Meifen Pearlyn (MLA’17) Fragmentation by infrastructure development: Protecting our Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR), 2016-2017 (Poster presentation at 55th IFLA conference 2018)

Wu Yitong (MLA’17) Spatial pattern analysis of secondary forest in Singapore, 2017-2018

STUDENT AWARDS

2017 SILA Student Design Awards, Outstanding Contextual Analysis and Investigation Award (Gold) & Outstanding Graphic Presentation Award (Silver), Interwoven waterscape of Tagore forest estate, Wu Yitong (MLA’18)

2016 SILA Student Design Awards, Planting Design Award (Bronze), Sync-biosis, Chang Mei Fen Pearlyn, Wang Chao Chao (MLA’17)

2015 SILA Student Design Awards, Outstanding Graphic Presentation Award (Bronze), Rethinking water sensitivity in Pasir Ris Neighbourhood, Xu Hao Hui (MLA’14)

2014 SILA Student Design Awards, Best Design Showcase & Outstanding Contextual Analysis and Investigation Award (Silver), Calibrating timescales, Singapore, Feng Yuanqiu (MLA’15)

2013 SILA Student Design Awards, Best Design Showcase & Outstanding Graphic Presentation Award (Gold), Fading edges between man and nature Bukit Brown, Patil Mayura Anil (MLA’13)

2013 SILA Student Design Awards, Planting Design Award (Bronze), Connective communities Grafting, Bukit Brown, Lee Lynn (MLA’14)

PUBLISHED PAPERS

Tan, P. Y., Feng, Y., & Hwang, Y. H., 2016, Deforestation in a tropical compact city part a: understanding its socio-ecological impacts, Journal of Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, Vol. 5, No. 1, 47–72

Hwang, Y. H., Feng, Y. & Tan, P. Y., 2016, Deforestation in a tropical compact city part b: urban ecological approaches to design, Journal of Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, Vol. 5, No. 1, 73–92

Hwang, Y. H., Feng, Y., 2016, Forest estate, Tengah design studio: ten landscape architectural tactics for managing deforestation in a high-density tropical city, CityGreen , Singapore, No. 12, 46–53

STUDIOBOOKS

Hwang, Y. H. (Editor), 2017, Tagore Forest Estate, CASA, NUS, ISBN 9789811119545

Hwang, Y. H. and Feng Y.Q. (Editor), 2016, Tengah Forest Estate, CASA, NUS, ISBN 9789810990947

Hwang, Y. H. (Editor), 2014, Pasir Ris woodland landscape scenarios, CASA, NUS, ISBN 978-981-078845-2

Hwang, Y. H. (Editor), 2013, Bukit Brown landscape scenarios, CASA, NUS, ISBN 978-981-07-5314-6

2. LAND-WATER INTERFACE

The six studios introduced in this section challenged participants to examine urbanization processes on the interface between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

AY 10/11-2 LA4702

KEY THEMES

Studio Walang Iwanan – Pasig River, Manila, Philippines

Tutor: Rekittke Joerg

Understanding the interactions between land and water; Evaluating existing relationships between urban, social and hydrological systems; Multi-functional landscape solutions

Students: Bharihoke Gauri, Guo Yunjia Lehana, Hou Suya, Lin Shengwei Ervine, Muhammad Yazid Ninsalam, Mehta Neha, Nur Syafiqah Nahadi, Nur Syuhada Limat, Sng En Ai Rebecca, Soh Han Jie, Teo Hui Yi Rachel

AY 11/12-2 LA5702

Project Ciliwung – Ciliwung River, Jakarta, Indonesia

Tutor: Rekittke Joerg

Students: Bharihoke Gauri, Guo Yunjia Lehana, Hou Suya, Lin Shengwei Ervine, Muhammad Yazid Ninsalam, Mehta Neha, Nur Syafiqah Nahadi, Nur Syuhada Limat, Sng En Ai Rebecca, Soh Han Jie, Teo Hui Yi Rachel

AY 12/13-1 & 2 LA4701 & LA4702

Landscape in the River & City in the River – Ciliwung River, Jakarta, Indonesia

Tutor: Rekittke Joerg, Girot Christophe

Students: Yap Lai Fong Anna, Fu Maoying, Heng Juit Lian, Pham Le Anh, Mak Ronnie, Wong Ruen Qing, Darne Shamy Vivek, Yeo Jiahao, Zhang Rong

AY 13/14-1 LA4701

The Big Village – Ciliwung River, Jakarta, Indonesia

Tutor: Rekittke Joerg

Students: Sandilya Atreyee, Chen Jia Hui, Cheong Wan Ying, Li Jinmu, Lee Lynn, Patil Mayura

AY 15/16-1 LA5701

The Beach – Infrastructure for Paradise – Bunaken National Park, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Tutor: Rekittke Joerg

(With assistance by Muhammad Yazid Ninsalam)

Students: Tao Yibei, Sun Yunzi, Poh Qiying, Chen Anzhuo, Deepika Amonkar, Cheok Zhi Ning, Tan Li Wen Ashley, Lim Cherlyn, Agarwal Anushree

AY 17/18-1 LA4701

Re-Imaging Sungei Pandan Landscape – Sungei Pandan, Singapore

Tutor: Hwang Yun Hye, Yip Sui Ling Melissa

Students: Fan Lei Helen, Gao Chen Chen, Kong Lingchang, Kuan Wai Tuck Victor, Lam Si Yun Swan, Liu Xiaolei, Nur Azilla Bte Nazli, Wang Hanfeng, Wang Zhe, Xu Linxin, Xu Yuexin, Yao Haomu, Yong Keng-Whye Raymond

Human settlements have long been interwoven with water. The cradle of human civilisation is considered to be Mesopotamia, the fertile flood plains within the Tigris–Euphrates river system, while historically, many cities have been established along coastlines because of the benefits garnered by proximity to the sea. Today, over 50% of the world’s population lives closer than 3km to a surface freshwater body, with only 10% living farther than 10km away. Yet our fragile and highly interdependent relationship with water is threatened by rapid urbanisation and mismanagement of this valuable resource. Landscape architecture is one of the disciplines that has answered the call to provide real world solutions so that our interfacing with water will be both ecologically sustainable and economically viable.

A series of studios examined extremely challenging sites with issues of water degradation and asked how landscape architecture could provide an alternative lens to understand the problem and prescribe a landscape-driven solution. Design studios were carried out along highly contested rivers, such as the Pasig River in Metro Manila, Philippines (MLA’12). Students were also faced with the stark reality of informal settlements on the Ciliwung River in Jakarta, Indonesia, where extreme flooding is an issue (MLA’12 and MLA’13). Interfaces with the sea were explored in two other studios considering the contradictory drivers of tourism, development, and conservation in coastal regions of the Bunaken National Park in North Sulawesi, Indonesia (MLA’16) and in the remaining natural coastal habitat of Singapore along the Sungei Pandan (MLA’19).

Landscape architecture, as the name implies, has traditionally dealt with the terrestrial issues of landform, vegetation, ecology, and design-related spatial interactions. Hydrological considerations, while critical in areas such as irrigation and drainage, are often a secondary concern. How, then, can landscape architecture be more directly involved in issues of fresh water and coastal management? Does landscape architecture even provide a solution to real world problems, such as ecological degradation stemming from social imbalance, devastating floods due to improper stormwater management, or loss of natural habitats because of economic pressure for development? How do we rekindle the imagination of politicians, engineers, inhabitants, and other stakeholders so that they look to a landscape-first approach for alternative solutions to alleviate multiple problems simultaneously?

As with most studios, the first few weeks consisted of site visits often guided by locals or other experts in various fields of study beyond landscape architecture. In Manila, the nongovernmental organisation (NGO) Gawad Kalinga hosted the students and exposed them to the realities of informal settlements; the organisation seeks to find multiple possible methods to improve the lives of its inhabitants and to lift them out of poverty. Along the Ciliwung River in Jakarta, studios interfaced with the Future Cities Laboratory, as well as various universities in Indonesia (University of Indonesia and Bogor Agricultural University), to tackle the complex issue of flooding coupled with the looming pressure of replacing what is left of the natural river system with a highly engineered one. In Bunaken National Park, students interacted with resort owners and residents whose livelihood depends on tourism intertwined with the protection of the

endangered costal ecosystem. Lastly in Sungei Pandan, students were asked to highlight the value of natural resources and ecological services such as the remnant mangrove forest on site, and propose ways to integrate them into urban environments.

The analytical phase was followed by design development. Students were given extremely challenging sites with underlying issues and tasked to provide tangible solutions to alleviate the conditions of each site using an iterative design approach.

PASIG JEEPS, group work by MLA’12 Students proposed an integration of land and water based transportation systems, leveraging off the iconic Jeepney (a local form terrestrial transportation) and converting it into a boat to be used in this new hydrological transportation network

RHYTHMN OF THE RIVER, group work by MLA’13 analysed the swelling and subsiding of the Ciliung river. When urbanism extends into the flood plains, there is an inevitable problem once the river starts to flood (right and bottom)

FLOODLINES, group work by MLA’13 A reorganisation of the urban typology, with housing units combined to elevate the units above the predicted flood levels and free up the remaining space for more social functions.

PROJECT CILIWUNG, group work by MLA’12 extracted transects from the sites and conducted local interviews to determine the existing flood levels.

Extremely challenging site conditions call for unconventional solutions. Students working on the Pasig River in Manila leveraged the local informal land transportation system of jeepneys to design interventions. This is coupled with programmatic solutions of a water-based transportation system to reintegrate the once disjointed residents with the river system by providing both economic and recreational opportunities. Along the flood-prone Ciliwung River in Jakarta, the first batch of students took avantage of local knowledge of the flood levels and performed in-depth analysis of the heterogeneity of the site. The results were employed to prescribe a series of acupunctural flood resilient interventions, designed to allow safe passage in the case of a flood, and provide a multitude of potential social and ecological benefits. Subsequent studios built on this work by understanding even more detail the historical flood levels and the “rhythm of the river”, with students asked to recommend

typological changes to the housing units and urban fabric by introducing flood resilient dwellings and landscapes. In Bunaken National Park, students proposed a reorganisation of the terrestrial road network to redirect access to the numerous resorts by land instead of sea. These networks would interface with strategically located jetties to protect the remaining fragile mangrove belt along the coast. This, in turn, would allow the reestablishment of the previously damaged mangrove to make way for a sea-based access to each resort. Lastly, the Sungei Pandan studio included ecological principles and in-depth site analysis. Students developed masterplans that reimagined the possibilities of intertwining development with ecologically sensitive landscape design.

INFRASTRUCTURE FOR PARADISE, group work by MLA’16 is a proposal that consolidates access points to limit the impact on the remaining at-risk coastal regions, along with a proposed improvement to the terrestrial network linking these access points.

REFORESTATION, group work by MLA’16 proposed reforestation effort along the original sea bound access (one per resort) can be put in place to repair the damaged mangrove belt, protecting the existing shoreline from erosion.

MASTERPLAN (top) by Fan Lei Helen (MLA’19) and COLLAGE PERSPECTIVE (bottom) by Xu Linxin (MLA’19) are two of the many design proposals by students to demonstrate their ability to materalise their designs into reality.

LIVING MACHINE, by Wang Han Feng (MLA’19), in plan and isometric section, proposed the integration of multiple functional and ecological uses within the land-water intermediate zone.

(cont’d) LIVING MACHINE, by Wang Han Feng (MLA’19), masterplan and collage perspective, proposed the integration of multiple functional and ecological uses within the land-water intermediate zone.

NATURING URBAN, by Fan Lei Helen

collage perspective, proposed strategies to resolve the tension between urban and natural habitats, leveraging on native habitat structures in Sungei

(MLA’19),

Pandan.

RELATED OUTCOMES

STUDENT DISSERTATIONS

Zhang Qingqing (MLA’17), Analysis of coastal landscape change in Singapore, 2016-2017

AWARDS

2014 International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) APR International Student Design Competition (2014), 1st Prize: Team Awards, Landscape in the River, Studio 12/13-2

2014 SILA Student Design Awards, Best Design Showcase (Bronze) & Outstanding Contextual Analysis and Investigation (Gold), The Big Village, Studio 13/14-2

2013 SILA Student Design Awards, Outstanding Site Studies/Analysis and Investigations (Silver), Studio 12/13-1, City in the River

2012 SILA Student Design Awards, Best Design Showcase (Gold) & Contextural Analysis and Investigations Award (Silver), Studio 11/12-2, Project Ciliwung

2011 SILA Student Design Awards, Best Design Showcase & Outstanding Site Studies/Analysis and Investigations, Studio 10/11-2, Studio Walang Iwanan

STUDIO BOOKS

Hwang, Y. H. (Editor), 2018, MLA studio: Re-Imagining Sungei Pandan Landcape, CASA, NUS, ISBN 9789811164606

Eugen von Ransonnet, Chromolithograph Published in Eugen von Ransonnet, Skizzen aus Singapur und Djohor, 1876, Courtesy of the National Museum of Singapore, National Heritage Board

3. RE-WILDING SINGAPORE

The three studios in this section considers how tropical biodiversity may be reintroduced into Singapore’s highly urbanized environment.

AY 09/10-1 LA4701 & 5701

Urban Jungle

Tutor: Rekittke Joerg, Hwang Yun Hye

KEY THEMES

Tropicality; Rewilding urban green spaces; Alternatives to manicured landscapes; Heterogeneous and multi-tiered structures; Intended wildness; Human-nature coexistence; Spontaneous vegetation in the city; Human-wildlife interaction

Students: Cai Hanwei Leonard, Tai Shijie, Chua Yong Kiat, Yue Jonathan, Tan Yit Chuan, Xu Jingyi, Tang Rachel, Yung Yvonne, Lum Geraldine, Yip Ching Lok, Toh Chong Ji, Tan Yi Wei, Hoo Xin Yu, Cheng Chu Jie, Carelnina Shiela

AY 10/11-1 LA4701 & 5701

Orchard Central Park

Tutor: Rekittke Joerg, Hwang Yun Hye

Students: Yung Yvonne, Lum Geraldine, Yip Ching Lok, Toh Chong Ji, Tan Yi Wei, Hoo Xin Yu, Cheng Chu Jie, Carelnina Shiela, Tan Yi Wei, Bharihoke Gauri, Guo Yunjia Lehana, Hou Suya, Lin Shengwei Ervine, Muhammad Yazid Ninsalam, Mehta Neha, Nur Syafiqah Nahadi, Nur Syuhada Limat, Sng En Ai Rebecca, Soh Han Jie, Teo Hui Yi Rachel, Fiserova Alice

AY 14/15-1 LA4701

Redefining the PCN

Tutor: Hwang Yun Hye

(With support from National Parks Board)

Students: Agarwal Anushree, Chen Anzhuo, Cheok Zhi Ning, Lim Li Xuan Cherlyn, Amonkar Deepika Nihar, Liu Yuehua, Poh Qiying, Sun Yunzi, Tan Li Wen Ashley, Tao Yibei, Yuan Yishuai

Singapore has dramatically changed from a natural tropical primary forest to a manmade urban jungle, with open lawns and single-tiered vegetation common found in its contemporary landscape. However, bringing back the tropical biodiversity to the city through rewilding could be a means of restoring both the physical and socio-ecological authenticity of the tropical landscape. A diverse and complex tropical ecosystem that benefits from tropicality has the potential to achieve this goal, even in a high-dense compact city context.

To tackle the issue, in a series of three studios on rewilding Singapore, students were asked to respond to the following questions: Can designers introduce a genuine tropical landscape effect into the city? To what extent do existing urban green spaces accumulate ecological value while serving anthropocentric demands? Can designers creatively adapt the dynamism of tropicality, including the spontaneity, messiness, and irregularity of multi-tiered vegetation, to generate a new kind of three-dimensional landscape architecture? Can design promote a healthier lifestyle for city

dwellers that is closer to nature? The aim of three studios was to propose prototypes of alternative urban greenery to infuse greater ecological functions and diversity into the highly managed built environment through rewilding.

As a test bed for rewilding Singapore, the three design studios selected the remaining primary forests, such as Bukit Timah Nature Reserve/ Central catchment, as “landing” sites that could serve as reference points for understanding the original characteristics of Singapore’s authentic nature. Selected design sites varied – from a free choice of various landscape typologies across the city (MLA’10) to a 2.2km central shopping street, one of the biggest tourist draws, as well as a central traffic spine (MLA’11 and MLA’12) to the 150km Park Connector Network (PCN) across Singapore that includes recreational trails, concrete canals, forest edges, urban parks, and residential and industrial zones (MLA’16).

In the Urban Jungle studio, tutors emphasized the regrowth cycle of a tropical rain forest (left graph by Benuaq Dayaks of Datarban, Southeast Asia Sustainable Forest Management Network, 1993) and application of multi-tiered vegetation structures in high dense built-up environments (right image).

allowing ample and flexible space for human flow and vegetation growth

INTERIORISED STREET by Toh Chong Ji, Tan Yi Wei, Sya Fiqah, and Mehta Neha (MLA ‘11 & MLA’12) drew their inspiration from the interior qualities of tropical rainforests and envisioned a park as an “interiorised” space connecting streets and indoors and contributing to an entirely different shopping experience (Left)

THREE DIMENSIONAL LANDSCAPES by Teo Rachel, Fiserova Alice, Lin Ervine, and Syuhada (MLA’12) sought to design a park to maximise vegetation mimicking the massive forest structure and species diversity while

(Right)

Each studio began with on-site learning through a field trip to a rainforest. With an understanding of the forest formation process and the complex interactions between abundant flora and fauna, students found their inspiration through observation of wildlife. Sketches of the forest structure drawn during the trip were used as a foundation in the later stage of design. In addition, informative and intellectual input sessions given by experts in biology, horticulture, and urban ecology helped students understand the theoretical significance of mimicking the original tropical landscapes of Singapore. In the first half of each studio, students were asked to navigate potential design sites while conducting site analysis and exploring ideas to envision “rewilding” using various models and design representations. After justifying design sites and design approaches, individuals or small groups of students explored designs during the rest of the studio. The design tasks included visualization of “before and after” landscapes on various spatial and temporal scales.

Overall, the rewilding Singapore studios were geared towards enhancing floristic biodiversity and protecting the structural complexity of urban landscapes with a view to attract various faunal species back to the local ecosystem and bringing nature closer to urbanites.

PCN AS A FOREST EDGE by Agarwal Anushree and Lim Cherlyn (MLA’16) reshaped the relationship of humans and wild animals by retrofitting edges between high-rise residential areas and dense forest to soften/remove major barriers in the urban matrix.

RELATED OUTCOMES

STUDENT DISSERTATION

Sun Hao Jen Ashley (MLA’18) Classifying NUS campus lawns based on floristic potential on rewilded lawns in Singapore, 2017-2018

Feng Yuanqiu (MLA’15) The socio-cultural value of wild growth - uncovering the design potential of secondary forests in Singapore, 2014–2015

Darne Shamy Vivek (MLA’13) Green roofs as local habitats in Singapore: observation biodiversity on four extensive green roofs (Presented at IFLA conference 2014), 2012–2013

STUDENT AWARDS

2015 SILA Student Design Awards, Planting Design Category (Gold), The PCN as a forest edge, Agarwal Anushree, and Lim Li Xuan Cherlyn (MLA’16)

2011 SILA Student Design Awards, Outstanding Graphic Award Category (Gold), Orchard Central Park, Toh Chong Ji (MLA’11), Nur Syafiqah Bte Nahadi (MLA’12), Neha Mehta (MLA’12) and Tan Yi Wei (MLA’11)

PUBLISHED PAPERS

Hwang, Y.H, Yue, Z.E., 2019 Intended wildness: utilising spontaneous growth for biodiverse green spaces in a tropical city, Journal of Landscape Architecture, JoLA spring

Hwang, Y.H., Yue, Z.E., Patil Mayura, 2019, Urban Wild Initiative: rewilding urban green Spaces to enhance biodiversity, CityGreen , no. 17, P34-39

Hwang, Y.H., Yue, Z.E.J., Ling, S.K. and Tan, H.H.V., 2019. It’s ok to be wilder: preference for natural growth in urban green spaces in a tropical city. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening , 38, pp.165-176.

Hwang, YH, YUE, Z.E., Tan, Y.C., 2016, Observation of floristic succession and biodiversity on rewilded lawns in a tropical city, Landscape Research Journal , Vol. 42, 678-694

Hwang, Y. H., 2010, Observation of urban spontaneous vegetation as landscape material, Journal of Landscape Architecture in Asia , Vol. 5, 61-71

Hwang, Y. H., Rewilding urban landscapes: functions and its application as a greening policy, Handbook of Urban Ecology, Ian Douglas ed., Second Edition, Routledge (forthcoming)

STUDIO BOOKS

Hwang, Y. H. (Editor), 2015, MLA studio: Redefining the park connector network: prototyping the PCN for an ecologically sustainable city CASA, NUS, Nparks ISBN 978-981-09-3712-6

MLA students engaged in field work in a secondary forest to understand the growth pattern of forest vegetation, as guided by Lum Shawn (Dr).

4. LANDSCAPE & URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE

This section introduces four studios that considers how landscape elements can simultaneously function as urban infrastructure, integrating contemporary disciplines of landscape architecture, civil engineering, and urban planning.

AY 10/11-2 LA5702

Everyday Cycling in Singapore I

Tutor: Hwang Yun Hye

(With support from Tampines Town Council)

KEY THEMES

Infrastructure network; landscape connectivity; Mobility infrastructure; Walkable and cyclable city; Healthy urban movement; Multi-functional landscape infrastructure; Adaptation and augmentation of existing infrastructure networks; Neighbourhood walkability

Students: Yung Yvonne, Lum Geraldine, Yip Ching Lok, Toh Chong Ji, Tan Yi Wei, Hoo Xin Yu, Cheng Chu Jie, Carelnina Shiela

AY 11/12-1 LA5701

The Singapore Trail

Tutor: Rekittke Joerg

Students: Bharihoke Gauri, Guo Yunjia Lehana, Hou Suya, Lin Shengwei Ervine, Muhammad Yazid Ninsalam, Mehta Neha, Nur Syafiqah Nahadi, Nur Syuhada Limat, Sng En Ai Rebecca, Soh Han Jie, Teo Hui Yi Rachel

AY 14/15-1 LA5701

The National Mall

Tutor: Rekittke Joerg

Students: Chow Zhaoyu Jaden, Feng Yuanqiu, Goh Weixiang, Hu Zhijie, Kow Xiao Jun, Loh Peiqi, Uraiwan Songmunstapon, Wan Jing, Xu Haohui, Xu Lanjun, Xu Yan, Zhang Shangyu

AY 18/19-1 LA5701

Everyday Cycling in Singapore II

Tutor: Hwang Yun Hye

(With support from Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC))

Students: Wang Hanfeng, Xu Yuexin, Yong Keng-Whye Raymond, Kong Lingchang, Kuan Wai Tuck Victor, Liu Xiaolei, Xu Linxin, Yao Haomu, Wang Zhe, Lam Si Yun Swan, Gao Chenchen, Fan Lei

A “BACKYARD” NETWORK FOR CYCLING by Hoo Xin Yu (MLA’11), proposed the retrofitting of underutilized local access roads in a residential estate to create safe and pleasant cycling routes that minimize pedestrian and vehicular conflicts.

EVERYDAY CYCLING, EVERYWHERE CYCLABLE by Liu Xiao Lei, Kuan Victor, Xu Linxin, and Yao Haumu (MLA’19) aimed to address mobility gaps in the Gimoh and Biopolis areas through three strategies: 1) diversifying mobility networks, 2) modifying topography and microclimatic conditions, and 3) introducing new cyclist friendly amenities and information systems.

THE SINGAPORE TRAIL, groupwork by MLA’12 emphasizes the potential of the KTM as an ecological connector and refashions the old railway line as a linear national park that links adjacent parks and nature reserves.

Physical infrastructure, by which we mean the essential connective systems and pathways that move humans and materials across space, traditionally lies within the purview of civil engineering. However, dissatisfaction with the unintended societal and ecological consequences of these systems and pathways has prompted designers to question the supremacy of engineering logic in their design and placement and to seek alternatives. As ecosystem services become more valued by cities, blue and green landscape elements are increasingly conceived as a form of infrastructure that needs to be preserved, augmented and created. The four studios under this theme responded to the opportunities offered by Singapore’s urban landscape to create new infrastructure networks.

Everyday Cycling in Singapore I (MLA’13) and II (MLA’19) were interlinked studios exploring how the car-oriented landscape can be retrofitted to promote cycling, while supporting other social and environmental functions. In Singapore, a mere 0.9% of the working population commutes via bicycle. Physical obstacles, unshaded pathways, and conflicts with vehicular and pedestrian traffic create a daunting commute for potential cyclists. In the first studio, students considered how various business and residential districts can be retrofitted to become more cyclistfriendly at a range of urban scales. The second studio was specifically sited in One-North, a technology and innovation hub where 46,000 employees work in research facilities and business offices. In this studio, students considered how retrofitting cycling amenities may help to alleviate traffic congestion woes in the district. Key questions driving design projects included the following: How can more people be convinced to cycle rather than drive?

How can the car-oriented landscape be retrofitted to be safe and pleasurable for cycling? What other socio-environmental functions might these new cycling-friendly routes support?

The Singapore Trail (Studio 2011) and The National Mall (Studio 2014) were studios linked to proposals for repurposing the defunct Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) railway line that once transported goods and people between Singapore and Malaysia. In many cities, obsolete infrastructure networks present important opportunities for new forms of landscape connectivity. Compared to other popular railway repurposing projects, such as the Highline in New York or the Promenade Plantee in Paris, the KTM railway is massive –running across nearly the entirety of the islandstate from North to South. The Singapore Trail studio emphasized the potential of the KTM as an ecological connector and refashioned the old railway line as a linear national park linking adjacent parks and nature reserves. In this studio, students focused on preserving the spontaneous vegetation along the railway and selectively inserted new amenities to enhance user experience without detracting from the quality of the existing landscape. The social dimensions of this cross-island connector were highlighted in The National Mall. In this studio, students proposed extending the railway line to the Marina Bay promenade, thereby creating a direct link between industrial fringes, residential heartlands, and the epicentre of business and tourism in Singapore. The old KTM was envisioned as an important civic space and mobility corridor, where the increasingly diverse Singapore population might meet and associate.

an important civic space, biodiversity icon and mobility infrastructure for Singapore in this iteration of the KTM railway project.

THE NATIONAL MALL, groupwork by MLA’15 proposed the retrofitting of the railway line to become

RELATED OUTCOMES

STUDENT DISSERTATION

Cherlyn Lim Li Xuan (MLA’16) Assessing connectivity for a seamless cycling experience in the Tampines intra-town cycling network, 2015–2016 (Oral presentation at GASS conference 2016)

Gauri Bharihoke (MLA’12) Study on Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM) Railway for Everyday Cycling.

Guo Yunjia Lehana (MLA’12) Politics, Public Participation and Public Space: An Analysis on the Public Participation Process in the Design of the Rail Corridor in Singapore

Hou Suya (MLA’12) A Framework for Identification and Evaluation of Culture Landscape: Case Study of Singapore KTM Land

Lin Shengwei Ervine (MLA’12) The Intersection of Aesthetics, Ecology and Economy in the Planning of Clementi Woodlands along The Green Corridor

Neha Mehta (MLA’12) Visual Landscape Quality Assessment of The Singapore Trail

Nur Syafiqah Bte Nahadi (MLA’12) Is the Public’s Perception of Nature an Important Factor in the Design of the Singapore Trail

Nur Syuhada Bte Limat (MLA’12) The Aesthetic Value of Spontaneous Vegetation and its Conservation as a Possible Strategy for a Landscape Corridor Design in the KTM Track

Sng En Ai Rebecca (MLA’12) The Linear Park and Urban Liveability: A Study of Singapore’s KTM Railway Land

Soh Han Jie (MLA’12) Environmental Education in Parks: Influence of Naturalness on User Experience in Singapore

Teo Hui Yi Rachel (MLA’12) Assessment of KMT as an Ecological Corridor in Singapore

STUDENT AWARDS

2012 SILA Student Design Awards, Contextual Analysis & Investigations Award (Bronze) , Studio 11/12-2, The Singapore Trail

2012 Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) – “Journey of Possibilities” Competition, 1st Prize in Inclusiveness, Accessibility and Resolving Conflicts category, The Singapore Trail, MLA’12

2011 SILA Student Design Awards, Planting Design Award, Backyard network for cycling, Hoo Xin Yu

PUBLISHED PAPERS

Feng, Y. & Rekittke, J. (2015). “Ideas for a ‘National Mall’ in Singapore: an academic approach to revive the former rail corridor site.” CITYGREEN , Issue 11, p.56-65.

STUDIO BOOKS

Hwang, Y. H. (Editor), 2019, Everyday cycling in Singapore 02: prototyping a cycling network for OneNorth district, CASA, NUS, ISBN 9789811401879

Hwang Y.H. (Editor), 2011, MLA studio: Everyday cycling in Singapore, CASA, NUS, ISBN 9810899750

5. NEIGHBOURHOOD LANDSCAPES

The three studios in this section reimagined neighbourhood landscapes, paying close attention to questions of place identity and community participation.

AY12/13-1 LA4701 Studio

Reimagining HDB Landscape

Tutor: Hwang Yun Hye

(With support from Jurong Town Council)

KEY THEMES

Tangible and intangible cultural heritage; Community-based participatory design process; Environmental ownership; Landscape services of residential housing estates; Place-making in Singapore’s public housing estates

Students: Yap Lai Fong Anna, Fu Mao Ying, Heng Juit Lian, Pham Le Anh, Mak Ronnie, Darne Shamy Vivek, Wong Ruen Qing, Yeo Jia Hao, Zhang Rong

AY 16/17-2 LA4702 Studio

The Cultural Landscape of Whampoa

Tutor: Diehl Jessica Ann

Students: Chandra Amanda Jennifer, Bai Zhuhui, Dai Junwei, Sun Hao Jen Ashley, Wu Yitong, Yan Ran

AY18/19-1 LA4701 Studio

Landscape Services in the HDB Heartland

Tutors: Endo Kenya, Yip Melissa

(With support from Housing Development Board)

Students: Bao Lixia, Chai Tianqi, Chan Wing Fai, Chen Beifei, Chen Nan, Dai Yuke, Dong Yitong, Eingeel Jafar Khan, Hou Yanru, Isabel Villegas Molina, Jiang Jiahang, Li Ziheng, Liu Ye, Manasi Prabhudesai, Mitali Kumar, Muhammad Rahmat Bin Khairudin, Radha Waykool, Tang Mengjiao, Toh Zi Gui, Vinamra Agarwal, Yang Xiaowen, Yu Xi, Zhang Qinqin

Since the early 1960s, Singapore’s Housing & Development Board (HDB) has provided affordable public housing. Today, over 80% of Singaporeans live in HDB flats. However, today’s changing socio-cultural context requires the rejuvenation of HDB landscapes to consider rapid economic growth, greening policies, and innovative technologies. At the same time, there is a need to celebrate the diverse multicultural heritage of Singapore residents through landscapes designed to avoid the anonymity of a global city: landscapes must have meaning and also ground us. Neighbourhood landscapes

are not isolated patches but are embedded in larger ecosystems. These landscape connections are easily overlooked, as ever-increasing densities and building heights decrease human engagement at ground level, reinforcing residents’ negative mindset about the effects of tropical climate, noise, and other environmental discomforts on outside activities. There is a need to develop new socio-ecological strategies to bring residents outside and connect them with nature and their neighbours.

RESILIENT LANDSCAPE IN HDB by Jiang Jiahan (MLA’20) was proposed with a vision to treat and retain stormwater on site in the short-term, then mimic the natural water cycle to create a better microhabitat in the long term. This was a result of having identified that the site had an extensive area of hard surface and many channelized drains.

Studio 2011 conducted door-to-door surveys, focus group discussions, and a photographic poll to learn about the daily needs and conditions of the HDB residents in Yu Hua.

IN-AND-OUT CONNECTION by Zhang Rong (MLA 13) transformed HDB void deck space as connected landscapes that facilitate inter-neighbourhood interaction and enjoyable outdoor activities while ensuring barrier-free access to all in-out spaces for pedestrians.

MULTIFUNCTIONAL SPACES - TRANSFORMING HDB CARPARKS by Mak Ronnie (MLA’13) considered underutilized and thermally uncomfortable car parks in HDB as potential design site, and proposed a multifunctional spaces with large canopy trees that can be used for day markets and sport fields in the daytime.

Three design studios between 2011 and 2018 studied three resident housing estates in Singapore. Built in the 1980s, Yu Hua HDB estate (MLA’13) was Singapore’s first green neighbourhood. Teck Ghee (MLA’20) was built in the 1970s. Together, they represent two typical housing estates in the Singapore heartland. Centrally located Whampoa (MLA’18), one of the oldest residential neighbourhoods in Singapore, is a mix of HDB, condo, and landed houses and has a large aging population. Common questions investigated in the studios were the following: Can the increased intensity of neighbourly interaction increase environmental ownership? What is the best way to enhance environmental qualities while meeting various demands? How can we provide more customized space to enhance the quality of the place? Can landscape contribute to change residents’ indoor-centred life style? How do we mediate between centralized policies and ecological vision to achieve genuine sustainability? How do we re-imagine the HDB landscape at different scales? How do we enable more people to enjoy their neighbourhood area? How do functions, meanings, values and histories create visible and invisible layers in the landscape? Can we look to our landscape and the places around us to tell us who we are? What innovative methods / technologies are available to optimize limited land spaces? Will the space be friendly to wildlife as well? Will the proposed schemes or principles be flexible enough to be implemented in other estates in Singapore?

The neighbourhood studios began with a conceptual and technical understanding of planning and demographics in Singapore through readings, lectures, and guest speakers. Students focused on collecting, interpreting

and presenting the diverse social life and rich cultural heritage of each community. There was an emphasis on informal interactions and observations and formal survey data collection to learn about the needs and preferences of the local residents. MLA class of 2018 also leveraged “Curating Whampoa” a concurrent interdisciplinary community project (Tsao Foundation, National Heritage Board, Dr. Thomas Kong). The second half of each studio focused on the development of feasible social and ecological strategies for improving the place identity of the HDB estate setting. Final projects ranged in scale and scope, including heritage trails, void deck interventions, and biodiversity forests to increase human-nature contact.

explored the historical land development changes in Singapore with emphasis on the development of the HDB from the 1960’s through to the current development.

Wu Yitong (MLA’18)

RELATED OUTCOMES

STUDENT DISSERTATION

Goh Weixiang (MLA’15) Potential of Domestic Gardening in Public Housing to Contribute to Biodiversity

Fu Maoying (MLA’13) Everyday Landscape in Transitional Urban Space: Integrating Nature and Architecture as a Singular Seamless Landscape

Mak Ronnie (MLA’13) Green Spaces in Public Housing in Singapore: A Precinct Level Documentation of Their Evolution Between an old and new housing estate

Zhang Rong (MLA’13) A study of Urban Green Spaces in Singapore’s residential towns

STUDENT AWARDS

2012 SILA Student Design Awards, Best Design Showcase (Silver) & Innovation Construction Award (Gold), Multi-functional space, Mak Ronnie (MLA’13)

2012 SILA Student Design Awards, Contextual Analysis & Investigations Award (Gold), Reimaging HDB Void deck: in & out, Zhang Rong (MLA’13)

PUBLISHED PAPERS

Cook [Diehl], J.A. (Editor), 2017, MLA studio: The Cultural Landscape of Whampoa, NUS.

Hwang Y. H. (Editor), 2012 MLA studio: reimagining HDB landscape, CASA, NUS, HDB, and Jurong Town Council, ISBN 978-981-07-0953-2

6. PRODUCTIVE LANDSCAPES

This section summarizes four studios on the productive potential of everyday landscapes – from food to raw materials.

AY 09/10-2 LA4702 Studio

Needle in a Haystack Gardens: Baseco

Tutors: Rekittke Joerg, Hwang Yun Hye

(With support from Gawad Kalinga)

KEY THEMES

Ecosystem service potential of urban landscapes; Productive design strategies for informal settlements; Involvement of communities in design and maintenance of public spaces; Fostering social inclusion and livelihood opportunities; Agro-ecological design strategies

Students: Cai Hanwei Leonard, Lum Qin Jie Geraldine, Yue Zi En Jonathan, Carelnina Shiela, Hoo Xin Yu, Zhang Fan, Xu Jing Yi, Tang Yin Yi Rachel, Tai Shijie, Yung Tsui Suen Yvonne, Cheng Chu Jie, Toh

Chong Ji, Chua Yong Kiat, Tan Yit Chuan, Tan Yi Wei

AY 2013 Special semester

Cambodia Edible Schoolyard

Tutor: Hwang Yun Hye

(With support from SMILE, Envirospace, and PSE)

Students: Chow Zhaoyu Jaden, Loh Peiqi, Goh Weixiang, Uraiwan Songmunstapon, Xu Haohui, Hu Zhijie, Xu Kaiming, Wan Jing, Feng Yuanqiu, Kow Xiao Jun, Zhang Shangyu

AY 17/18-2 LA4702

Productive Landscapes: Hebbal, Bangalore, India

Tutor: Diehl Jessica Ann

Students: Nur Azilla Bte Nazli, Gao Chenchen, Wang Hanfeng, Fan Lei Helen, Kong Lingchang, Xu Linxin, Yong Keng-Whye Raymond, Yao Haomu, Lam Si Yun Swan, Kuan Wai Tuck Victor, Liu Xiaolei, Xu Yuexin, Wang Zhe

AY 18/19-2 LA4702

Landscape of Necessity: Yelahanka, Bangalore, India

Tutor: Diehl Jessica Ann

Students: Vinamra Agarwal, Bao Lixia, Chen Beifei, Dong Yitong, Jiang Jiahang, Eingeel Jafar Khan, Li Ziheng, Toh Zi Gui, Shanika Tuinder, Yu Xi, Radha Waykool

Cambodia Edible Schoolyard (AY 2013 Special Term): An important stage of the design process is the iterative activity of idea generation, review and feedback, and design improvement. The short timeframe of Studio 2013 motivated students to generate sketches to gain feedback and iterate quickly.

MLA’13 (AY 2013 Special Term) created a framework for conceptualising the community engagement process from designers to end users.

The proportion of the world’s population living in urban areas is increasing dramatically. As of 2007, more people lived in urban than rural areas. It is predicted that by 2030, the worldwide population of urban dwellers will be nearly five billion, with approximately 92% residing in developing countries, mainly because of rural to urban migration. Consequently, cities are under pressure to meet growing populations’ need for access to safe housing, job opportunities, healthy food, and unpolluted living environments. Yet at the same time, rapid urbanization has resulted in disrupted and disconnected urban ecosystems (water, agriculture, flora and fauna), with detrimental impacts on the health and wellbeing of urban citizens, particularly disadvantaged groups. The key issues are: food accessibility and quality; associated environmental issues (e.g. water quality, waste recycling, environmental pollution); consumption patterns and food culture; participatory design and landscape stewardship.

In response to the issue of lack of community spaces and places to grow food, four design studios and one special semester project between 2010 and 2019 studied the potential for productive landscapes to provide social, ecological and economic benefits to local communities. Looking at three slum locations in Manila, Philippines, namely Baseco, Espiritu Santo and Bagong Silang, the first studio (MLA’10) aimed to generate realistic strategies for garden and structure design to improve environmental living conditions and provide long-term economic profit. Within a short six-week timeframe, the special semester project at PSE school on the western fringe of Phnom Pehn, Cambodia (MLA’14), implemented design proposals for vegetable gardens designed to meet 30% of the annual

vegetable consumption. Finally, the historic “Garden City” of Bangalore, India, faces severe water scarcity and loss of rural agricultural land due to urbanization and climate change; two studios (MLA’19 and MLA’20) focused on older unplanned settlements on the peri-urban fridge of the city.

Common questions investigated were the following: How can landscape architects adopt grassroots approaches to sensitively intervene in places beyond the reach of formal city planning? Can multi-functional landscapes be designed to beautify, purify and produce for communities? How can agro-ecological systems be integrated into landscape design? Beyond a single growing season, can designers be responsive to community needs such that the community appropriates and maintains the landscape to meet current and future needs? Can landscapes have a meaningful impact on urban food security at the community level?

Each studio began with a conceptual and technical understanding of agro-ecology and productive urban landscapes through readings, lectures, and guest speakers. Intensive fieldwork during overseas site visits captured spatial characteristics and enabled students to meet, interact with, and learn from the local community groups. Students collected a variety of data to understand ecological, social, economic, and built infrastructure conditions. Because the aim for designed landscapes was to produce food for consumption, sun, soil and water quality were investigated, as well as social conditions for long-term maintenance. The second half of each studio focused on development of feasible social and economic strategies and calculation of possible quantities and varieties of food. Final designs ranged from small scale container interventions to large scale productive blue-green infrastructure. The special semester project (MLA’14) condensed the process into six weeks and finished with a built project.

PRODUCTIVE END WALLS by Cai Leonard (MLA’10) tackles economic and spatial constraints in low-cost housing sites by generating “arable land” from under-utilized end walls. Through analyzing how villagers cultivate plants in unimaginable spots, this wall farming system integrates the villagers’ creativity as an essential component in unlocking the full potential of end-walls.

As part of a neighbourhood scale intervention in Hebbal, India, Kuan Victor (MLA’19) designed a master plan using the concept of transcending physical, social and psychological boundaries.

Having identified water pollution and trash in the open canal and a lack of public space for resident’s activities and children’s play, Wang Hanfeng’s (MLA’19) project was to transform the original canal into a vital and vigorous public space for people to do activities with cleaner water. This perspective shows filtration as the first of a series of landscapes to purify, enhance interaction, and ultimate utilize the canal as a community amenity.

As part of the Special Semestr project, MLA’14 documented the facade of the residential units at GK Tripura. Residents made used of their garden plots to grow productive vegetation for their consumption.

RELATED OUTCOMES

STUDENT AWARDS

2019 SILA Student Design Awards, Best Design Showcase (Honourable Mention), Productive Landscape A Framework for Women Empowerment, Bao Li Xia (MLA’20)

2010 SILA Student Design Awards, Gold Award & Best Research Award, Productive End Wall, Leonard Cai (MLA’10)

2010 SILA Student Design Awards, Gold Award, Productive Landscape for an Urban Village in Metro Manila, Tan Yit Chuan (MLA’10)

2010 SILA Student Design Awards, Bronze Award & Best Research Award, Backyard +++ (Research Entry), Tai Shi Jie (MLA’10)

PUBLISHED PAPERS

Diehl, J.A. (2019). A foodscape geo-narrative in an unplanned settlement in Bangalore, India: spatial visualization of in/formal spaces and habits. presented at the International Society of Participatory Mapping (ISPM) conference 17-19 June, 2019. Helsinki, Finland.

Diehl, J.A. and K.W. Yong (2018). Active learning in a participatory design studio: Enabling students to reach out to communities. Paper presented at Great Asian Streets Symposium / Pacific Rim Community Design Network / Structures for Inclusion December 14-16, 2018. Singapore.

STUDIO BOOKS

Diehl, J.A. (Editor), 2019, MLA studio: Landscape of necessity [electronic resource]: Re-envisioning productive urban landscape: A community based design studio in Yelahanka, Bangalore, India, CASA, NUS, ISBN 9789811418785

Diehl, J.A. (Editor), 2018, MLA studio: Grow Hebbal [electronic resource]: A community-based design studio in Hebbal, Bangalore, India - envisioning productive urban landscapes, CASA, NUS, ISBN 9789811190797

Hwang, Y.H. (Editor), 2013, PSE Logbook

https://www.google.com/maps/search/taiwan/@29.368509,113.1191393,846m/data=!3m1!1e3

Google Maps

Malacca, Malaysia

Baoshan, Shanghai, China

Shezidao, Taipei, Taiwan

7. LANDSCAPE PLANNING

The three studios here zoom out to the regional scale to explore the potential of landscape approaches in long-term planning for desirable economic and ecological outcomes.

AY 16/17-2 LA5702

KEY THEMES

Shezidao: From Contested Terrain to Wise Urbanism

Tutor: Liao Kuei-Hsien

Spatial and functional pattern analysis; Political and economic decision-making; Understanding landscape planning as a holistic system; Urban fabric transformation; Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches; Eco-tourism; Ecological planning strategies

Students: Chang Mei Fen Pearlyn, Chen Jumin, Chen Wei, Liu Yuahua, Pu Wenjun, Qian Xuanyu, Su Yuting, Tan Wenbin, Pang Yurong, Wang Yuqian, Zhang Qingqing

AY 17/18-1 LA5701

Landscape of Hope: Reclaiming Malacca

Tutor: Laura Cipriani

Students: Chandra Amanda Jennifer, Bai Zhuhui, Sun Hao Jen Ashley, Wu Yitong, Yan Ran

AY 17/18-2 LA5702

Operational and Functional Landscapes of Baoshan District

Tutor: Hwang Yun Hye

(With collaboration with NUS ISD Studio and Tongji University)

Students: Amanda Jennifer Chandra, Bai Zhuhui, Dai Junwei, Sun Hao Jen Ashley, Wu Yitong, Yan Ran

OUR XISHAWEI: ENABLING COMMUNITY, STIMULATING REVITALIZATION by Wang Yuqian, Su Yuting, Chang Pearlyn, and Tan Wenbin (MLA’17) aimed to propose wiser alternatives to the government’s “Ecological Shezidao” plan. They sought to enhance the local identity of and propose economic assistance for the existing Xishawei settlement to prevent gentrification following four main strategies: reorganising circulation and retrofitting roads, facilitating livable homes, celebrating community agriculture and promoting eco-friendly industry.

Many Asian cities are seeing complex and far-reaching changes in their spatial and functional patterns. This is a common consequence of the rapid urban land expansion caused by population densification and the pressure for urban renewal accompanying economic growth. For this reason, regional/ city scale interventions addressing social ecological impacts, including loss of natural resources, inadequate urban amenities, a high level of exposure to environmental pollution, infrastructure deterioration, and reduction of open spaces, are receiving greater attention from landscape designers and urban planners.

Three design studios envisioned planning principles and strategies as a cornerstone of sustainable, livable and resilient cities based on the following questions: Is there any opportunity to re-structure a city’s ecosystem to have a less detrimental impact on the environment while intensifying settlement and building morphologies? Before making site specific design interventions at the district scale, can landscape planners shape new urban forms and ecological networks at the regional scale? What is the best way to distribute natural resources towards inclusive and livable societies by manipulating topography, hydrology and vegetation? Can preemptive design/planning actions ameliorate the environmental consequences of climate change at the territorial scale? Can landscape planning studios in an academic setting use integrated datadriven and science-based approaches beyond administrative boundaries? Given the future development requirements and environmental issues, can we propose design solutions that will incorporate multiple operational and functional values into the urban context?

PRODUCTIVE LANDSCAPES OF MALACCA by Sun Ashley (MLA’18) focused on food and agriculture as pillars of development for the city. The project included a green network that improved the agricultural productivity of plantations in the agrarian landscape, waste recycling, and new forms of food production by designing a self-sustaining system for the community.

Shezidao, a flood prone peninsula sandwiched between the two major rivers of Taipei City, was chosen as the first studio site (MLA’17). As the area is home to thousands of socioeconomically disadvantaged households, the studio had a big task. How do residents cope with socio-environmental challenges, including flood risk, soil liquefaction, insecure land tenure, and ignored cultural identity? The second studio, in Malacca, a fortified city in southwestern Malaysia, dealt with the expansion of the contemporary urban fabric in a massive area of reclaimed coastal land (MLA’18). The site requires urgent responses to ecological degradation, rising sea level, soil protection, and a political and social crisis, while maintaining its cultural and historical

identity as a UNESCO heritage city. Baoshan, a big chunk of the northeastern part of Shanghai, rapidly transforming from extensive farmland into a major industrial district within the last two decades and more recently into high-dense mixed-used urban fabrics, was chosen for the third studio (MLA’18).

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN by Wu Yitong (MLA’18) was motivated by the culture and history of the land lost during reclamation. The project allowed past landscapes to reemerge and promote the economies of the future by inserting the local craft community and public art spaces along the old and new coastal line of the city. celebrating community agriculture, and promoting eco-friendly industry.

Studio 2018 ended with six showcase projects:

• A REVITALIZED GREEN AND BLUE INFRASTRUCTURE by Yan Ran (MLA’18) socio-ecologically linked the largest city park and other urban fabrics

• REMEDIATED LANDSCAPE FROM NEGLECT TO VALUE by Dai Junwei (MLA’18) transformed a polluted brownfield into an ecologically vibrant neighborhood

• REGENERATIVE LANDSCAPE by Sun Ashley (MLA’18) reconciled the industrial past with an ecological future

• CONNECTED LANDSCAPE OF THE BAOSHAN CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT by Bai Zhuhui (MLA’18)

• EVERYDAY ECOLOGY by Chandra Amanda and Wu Yitong (MLA’18 ) designed edge and in-between landscapes towards an inclusive new town

IN-BETWEEN LANDSCAPE: Inspired by the dynamics of the old town, Wu Yitong’s (MLA’18) project created adaptive landscapes to provide various ecological functions, encourage more interactions between residents and nature, ensure high productivity of local food supply and generate economic benefits towards an socio-ecologically inclusive lake community

As a part of the Shezidao studio, students participated in a five-day interdisciplinary workshop and public forum on the site, working with students of different disciplines from different universities in Taiwan. For the rest of the semester, they developed settlement-specific plans for three of the settlements in Shezidao based on outcomes from the workshop. The Malacca studio included a seven-day field trip to understand the territory through site investigation, collective brainstorming sessions and design development, featuring innovative methods of investigation. Finally, the Baoshan

studio created interdisciplinary teams of students in architecture and urban design under the ISD (Integrated Sustainable Design) programme in NUS and Tongji University for collective field work and site analysis. The studio resulted in five showcase design projects integrating findings from the previous layers. Through this process, students extended the role of landscape architect to project’s lead designer, the person who sets the tone for all site design decisions in collaboration with other design disciplines and who devises new strategies and design applications.

RELATED OUTCOMES

STUDENT AWARDS

2017 SILA Student Design Awards, Outstanding Contextual Analysis and Investigation Award (Silver), Living with water – phased adaptations, Pang Yun Rong, Pu Wenjun, Qian Xianyu, Zhang Qingqing (MLA’17)

STUDIO BOOKS

Hwang, Y. H. (Editor), 2019, Operational and functional landscapes of Baoshan District, CASA, NUS, ISBN 9789811407420

Cipriani Laura (Editor), 2018, Landscape of hope: reclaiming Malaca, CASA, NUS, ISBN 978981181399

8. LANDSCAPE IN HIGH DENSITY ENVIRONMENTS

The four studios here address socio-ecological issues in high-density cities.

KEY THEMES

Multi-functionality; Densification; Optimization of ecosystem services; Managing complexity of a living landscape; Time-sensitive design intervention; Multiscalar approach; Juxtaposing conflicting domains: Nature-human; Public-private; Permanent-temporary

AY 11/12-2 LA4702

Vertical City Asia Competition; Seoul

Tutor: Hwang Yun Hye, Low Boon Liang, Ng Wai Keen, Jürgen Rosemann (Collaboration with NUS MAUD and M.Arch)

Students: Yap Lai Fong Anna, Fu Mao Ying, Heng Juit Lian, Pham Le Anh, Mak Ronnie, Darne Shamy Vivek, Wong Ruen Qing, Yeo Jia Hao, Zhang Rong

AY 13/14-2 LA5702

Vertical City Asia Competition; Mumbai

Tutor: Rekittke Joerg

Students: Lee Xiao Ling Lynn, Patil Mayura, Sandilya Atreyee, Cheong Wan Ying, Li Jinmu, Chen Jiahui

AY 15/16-2 LA5702

Udaipur Studio

Tutor: Dreiseitl Herbert

Students: Lim Li Xuan Cherlyn, Tan Li Wen Ashley, Poh Qiying, Tao Yibei, Cheok Zhi Ning, Sun Yunzi, Amonkar Deepika, Agarwal Anushree, Chen Anzhuo

AY 16/17-1 LA5701

Intensification: Multiplicity of Landscape Layers; Singapore

Tutor: Ng Leonard, Ryan Shubin, Endo Kenya

Students: Chen Wei, Su Yuting, Qian Xuanyu, Liu Yuahua, Tan Wenbin, Pu Wenjun, Wang Yuqian, Chen Jumin, Kuhn Jacob, Pang Yurong

‘ THE MUMBAI EXPERIMENT - CONNECTING SOCIALLY AND SPATIALLY ’, group work by MLA’14 explored a social and spatial experiment of juxtaposing the rich and poor in the new building typologies. The proposed urban form is expected to gradually become a catalyst to generate new ways of living, engagement with public open spaces, and interactions with the surrounding natural environment.

Given the growing populations, many Asian cities have densified their urban cores, leaving little space for ecosystem services to play a role. By and large, socio-economic factors define the priorities for land use and occupancy patterns. However, Asian cities are always looking for new urban frameworks to address their social needs, regardless of how established they are – from rapidly growing metropolises to cities reaching their mature state. It is critical to collectively react to urbanization and explore preemptive measures to ensure a long-term livable environment for city residents.

In response to this need, all four studios dealt with the following common questions: Can

we find a balance between urban density and livability for city dwellers? Can we intensify land usage by juxtaposing conflicting domains: nature-human, public-private, and permanent-temporary? Can we accommodate and ensure sustainable multi-functionality within a given site? Answering these questions required careful analysis of the existing urban fabric, with dissection of a city’s spatial and functional “patterns” using geo-spatial analysis and ground-level observations. The most challenging aspect was to restructure such “patterns” while addressing the respective studios’ themes and each city’s socio-economic situation.

SOFT YONGSAN by Heng Juit Lian (MLA’13), Ling Diane, and Lin Stacy (B.Arch) crafted a masterplan encompassing building morphology, mixed-use strategy and various public space typologies creating reachable pocket-spaces for every intention within its organic urban fabric. The project took a humane and sensitive approach to a chaotic built environment, offering well-connected intimate spaces for every generation in the city.

INTEGRATION AND INTERACTION

- REDESIGN OF AN EVOLVED AND MERGED ECO-URBAN SYSTEM by Liu Yuehua (MLA’17) interwove resident and wildlife movement within the existing housing development by inserting multi-modes of greenery. Through a careful analysis of current residential typology, the proposal explored a new housing model that retrofits the ecological corridor knitting through the housing blocks, both horizontally and vertically.

RETHINKING HYDROLOGY IN PUNGGOL - USING WATER TO INTENSIFY ECOLOGY AND PUBLIC by Pu Wenju (MLA’17) focused on urban hydrology and interface between the reservoir. By manipulating the topography, waterfront spaces were transformed into a series of dynamic habitat zones, such as wetlands and marshes, where unique urban activities as well as vulnerable species could coexist.

The Vertical Cities Asia (VCA) International Design Competition focused on design explorations of and research into new architectural and planning models for the vertical, dense and intense urban environments in Asia. Two studios were carried out following this agenda: Studio 2012 in Seoul, South Korea and Studio 2014 in Mumbai, India. Reflecting contrasting socio-economic situations, the Seoul studio’s theme “Everyone Ages” emphasized rapidly aging societies and looked for spatial solutions to foster a new urban lifestyle and sense of belonging. Mumbai studio’s theme “Everyone Connects” asked students to come up with a new architectural and urban design framework to accommodate an additional 10,000 inhabitants within a given site, while ensuring human livability. The complex nature of the challenge required multi-disciplinary thinking. Thus, both VCA studios included architecture, landscape, and urban design students. Beginning with a weeklong field trip to the city of interest, students observed, identified and analysed underlying challenges. Over the semester, they developed coherent and context-sensitive urban strategies integrating landscape, urban, and architectural design principles.

Punggol studio (MLA’17) highlighted Singapore’s land scarcity issue. Students were asked to propose 60ha site’s masterplan from the vantage point of “intensification”. Instead of one place designed for one purpose, the studio sought design schemes with multi-scenarios and multi-usages, where natural systems were within the reach of urban dwellers. The first half of the studio was dedicated to site analysis of five topics: water, human comfort, ecology, community, and built structure. Two masterplans were developed for the mid-term review as a collective work from the research phase. The second half of the studio allowed students to probe a special issue or site to further develop their design interventions.

Udaipur studio in India (MLA’16) dealt with the government’s pressing need to introduce smart instruments into the urban environment to advance the city’s infrastructural management and enhance the residents’ quality of life. A week-long field survey and discussions with local planning authorities helped students to think critically about integrated planning methodologies, such as a liveable city performance matrix and GIS based planning. Human scale experiential designs were individually developed after macro- and meso-scale site conditions and patterns were analysed.

Group work by MLA’16 Udaipur Studio’s output consisted of macro-, meso- and site-scale design recommendations: the water system, and open spaces. The water system recommendation was derived from detailed site analysis and evaluation of existing infrastructural systems, including watershed, lake-side, river-side and city drainage system. Design solutions were targeted to mitigate underlying hydraulic issues in Udaipur’s water quantity and quality.

RELATED OUTCOMES STUDENT AWARDS

2017 SILA Student Design Awards, Best Design Showcase (Bronze) & Outstanding Contextual Analysis and Investigation (Bronze), Human Comfort and Natural Melody, Qian Xuanyu (MLA’17)

2014 SILA Student Design Awards, Outstanding Graphic Presentation (Bronze), The Mumbai Experiment, Mayura patil, Lynn Lee, Li Jin Mu, Atreyee Sandilya, Chen Jia Hui, Cheong Wan Ying (MLA’14)

2012 SILA Student Design Awards, Outstanding Graphic Representation Category (Gold), Two landscape strategies for avertical city, Seoul, Heng Juit Lian (MLA’13), Zhang Rong (MLA’13), Peh Li Lin Stacy, Yeo Wei Ling Diane, Ning Xianlin, Pether Then, Samantha Wong (B.Arch)

2012 Vertical City Asia Competition, Honourable Mentions, The Soft City, Heng Juit Lian (MLA’13), Peh Li Lin Stacy (B.Arch), Yeo Wei Ling Diane (co-supervision)

(cont’d) SOFT YONGSAN by Heng Juit Lian (MLA’13), Ling Diane, and Lin Stacy (B.Arch)

9. URBANISING REGIONS

This section showcases three studios have tackled issues related to the effects of rapid urbanisation at the fringes of many Southeast Asian megacities.

AY 14/15-2 LA5702

KEY THEMES

Landscape impact of urbanisation; Ruralurban migration; Urbanising fringes of Southeast Asian cities; Critical sustainability challenges

Bottomless Bali: An Endless City without Infrastructure

Tutor: Rekittke Joerg

Students: Feng Yuanqiu, Goh Weixiang, Hu Zhijie, Kow Xiao Jun, Loh Peiqi, Uraiwan Songmunstapon, Wan Jing, Xu Haohui, Xu Lanjun, Xu Yan, Zhang Shangyu

AY 15/16-2 LA4702

Landscape Architectural Approaches For An Urbanizing Agricultural Region, Sukabumi

Tutor: Hwang Yun Hye, Feng Yuanqiu

(With support from Bogor University)

Students: Chang Mei Fen Pearlyn, Chen Jumin, Chen Wei, Liu Yuahua, Pu Wenjun, Qian Xuanyu, Su Yuting, Tan Wenbin, Wang Yuqian, Zhang Qingqing, Yang Ruijie, Chung Chen

AY 18/19-2 LA5702

Kota Harapan Indah

Tutor: Herbert Dreiseitl

(With support from Dumai Putra Group)

Students: Wang Hanfeng, Xu Yuexin, Yong Keng-Whye Raymond, Kong Lingchang, Kuan Wai Tuck Victor, Liu Xiaolei, Xu Linxin, Yao Haomu, Wang Zhe, Lam Si Yun Swan, Gao Chenchen

Much of Asia is urbanizing rapidly. New cities are planned and built, young people migrate in large numbers from rural regions to urban centres, and agricultural land is converted to residential, commercial and industrial uses, all at an astonishing pace. How do we manage the landscape impacts of this frenzied urbanization? In light of our growing understanding of critical sustainability challenges, how should new cities in tropical Asia be planned and designed? The three studios under this theme explored the urbanizing fringes of Southeast Asian cities.

BOTTOMLESS BALI, group work by MLA’15 analysed the impact of rapid urbanization in Canggu. Many paddy fields are sold and converted into “villas” to accommodate visitors and meet the demand for holiday homes in Bali.

DESIGN CONCEPT |THE STORYOF ECOSTELLAR

Rejoint water system | Re-link ecological corridors | Re- establish external-connections these blue, green and mobility connections form the urban fabric of Ecostellar

D4 CELEBRATION

D3 OPTIMIZATION

MASTERPLAN |ITERATIONS / PROCESSES

D2 ADAPTATION

ECOSTELLAR by Gao Chenchen, Wang Hanfeng, and Kuan Victor (MLA’19) created a dynamic and integrated network by restoring hydrologic regimes, linking fragmented ecological systems and establishing connections between blue, green and grey elements of the urban fabric.

Top image: by Xu Linxin (MLA’19)

Bottom image: ECOSTELLAR by Gao Chenchen, Wang Hanfeng, and Kuan Victor (MLA’19)

In Bottomless Bali (AY14/15 – SEM 2), the studio found itself in Canggu, a Balinese town that is briskly shifting its core business from rice farming to surfing tourism. For its wellpreserved cultural practices, carefully cultivated paddy landscapes, and excellent waves, Bali has long been the subject of tourist romanticism and fascination. Today, tourism accounts for approximately 80% of the island’s economy. To accommodate visitors and meet foreigners’ demand for holiday homes in Bali, paddy fields are sold and converted into “villas”. This presents two critical problems. First, despite the modern and luxurious appearance of these new constructions, they are not built with sufficient waste treatment infrastructure, threatening the safety of food production in adjacent rice fields. Second, rice production in Bali relies on the careful management of water as it flows from paddies upstream to downstream, and the fragmentation of the water system by “villa” construction disrupts existing water sharing arrangements. The design proposal sought to address these two critical issues.

Landscape of Necessity 04 (AY15/16 – SEM 2) took place in Sukamaju village, an urbanizing town within the Jakarta Metropolitan region in Indonesia. Sukamaju is strategically located along a transport infrastructure that connects major metropolitan areas – Jakarta, Bogor, Sukabumi city and the Pelabuhan Ratu Bay. The village continues to grow and expand due to its economically critical location. The village faces problems caused by rapid and unregulated urbanization in an agricultural region: everincreasing traffic volume, economic inequality, and unemployment. Students sought to address some of these problems through landscape architectural interventions, proposing schemes to promote socio-economic resilience, alleviate traffic congestion and pre-empt anticipated

impacts of continued urbanization in residential neighbourhoods.

Kota Harapan Indah (AY18/19 – SEM 2) is a proposed new city development in the Jakarta Metropolitan Region that is anticipated to house 125,000 households on a 2,200ha plot. KHI aims to be the most liveable city in Indonesia – compact, mixed-used, transitoriented and sustainable. Presently, the site is a typical peri-urban region in Indonesia, comprising urban residences, agricultural areas, villages, and remnant mangrove forests. The studio partnered with Indonesian developer Damai Putra Group to generate landscape design schemes for a development to enhance waterfront resilience, showcase valuable cultural heritage, and preserve the integrity of ecologically valuable habitats. Students studied the socio-cultural and ecological context of the site in detail to arrive at three design proposals for the new city.

BORDERLESS JOURNEY by Zhang Qingqing, Pu Wenjun, Chen Wei, and Yang Ruijie (MLA’17) capitalised on the natural beauty and topography of the region to create a scenic drive with a few carefully inserted tourism developments, to create job opportunities and generate new forms of income for local communities.

RELATED OUTCOMES STUDIOBOOK

Hwang, Y. H. (Editor), 2016, Landscape of necessity 04: Landscape Architectural approaches for a sustainable oil-palm plantation community in Indonesia (collaboration with Bogor University)

10. LANDSCAPE AS NECESSITY

The four design studios here challenge participants to consider how landscape architects may engage in socio-economically vulnerable communities to mitigate the effects of natural disasters, supplement livelihoods and nurture a more liveable environment.

AY 12/13-2 LA4702

Flood-Resilient GK Community, Manila

Tutor: Hwang Yun Hye

(With collaboration with Gawad Kalinga)

KEY THEMES

Maximizing landscape productivity; Creating disaster-resilient communities; Developing tactical strategies to revitalize economically vulnerable urban settlements; Minimizing ecological vulnerabilities

Students: Sandilya Atreyee, Chen Jiahui, Cheong Wan Ying, Lee Xiao Ling Lynn, Li Jinmu, Patil Mayura

AY 13/14-2 LA4702

BASECO 2014 Urban Revitalization Strategies, Manila

Tutor: Hwang Yun Hye

(With collaboration with Urban Poor Association and Gawad Kalinga)

Students: Chow Zhaoyu Jaden, Feng Yuanqiu, Goh Weixiang, Hu Zhijie, Kow Xiao Jun, Loh Pei Qi, Wan Jing, Uraiwan Songmustaporn, Xu Haohui, Xu Lanjun, Xu Yan, Zhang Shangyu

AY 14/15-2 LA4702

Urban Revitalization Strategies for a Low-Income Community in San Jose del Monte

Tutor: Hwang Yun Hye

(With collaboration with EnPraxis, City of San Jose Del Monte)

Students: Agarwal Anushree, Chen Anzhuo, Cheok Zhi Ning, Lim Li Xuan Cherlyn, Amonkar Deepika Nihar, Liu Yuehua, Pang Yu Rong, Poh Qiying, Sun Yunzi, Tan Li Wen Ashley, Tao Yibei, Yuan Yishuai

AY 18/19-2 LA4702

Envisioning a Water Resilient Hebbal Kempapura, Bangalore

Tutor: Hwang Yun Hye

Students: Mitali Kumar, Sim Rui Jia Elsa, Dai Yuke, Yang Xiaowen, Tang Mengjiao, Zhang Qinqin, Muhammad Rahmat Bin Khairudin, Molina Isabel Villegas, Chen Nan, Manasi Venkatesh Prabhudesai, Chan Wing Fai, Liu Ye, Hou Yanru

The Landscape of Necessity studios paid attention to the radical role of landscape architects in issues of everyday landscapes in rapidly growing cities, especially those that confront low income urban residents experiencing environmental disasters, pollution, unemployment, crime, health issues, and social inequity on a daily basis. In compact tropical cities where land is overpopulated because of massive urban development,

disrupted and disconnected urban ecosystems are major issues. Although the increasing numbers of urban poor are generating international attention, a common practice of design interventions is to draw on globally developed “universal” approaches that exclude the poor. However, landscape architectural intervention must become a necessity, not a luxury.

REMEDIATING BASECO’S COASTAL LANDSCAPE by Goh Weixiang and Xu Lanjun’s (MLA’15) dealt with a significant amount of solid waste deposited along the coastal area of Baseco. The aim was to revitalize the coastal community through mangrove planting and derived community activity to contribute to the ecology and economy of this low income settlement.

The studios focused on the following questions: What do communities in the midst of socioeconomic crisis need in everyday life? Beyond basic shelter, what can make low-income communities move forward incrementally toward a self-sustained everyday life in the long run? Can landscape architects manage complex problems of communities in environmentally vulnerable areas with a lack of land resources and limited social and economic opportunities?

Can proposed design and management strategies enhance the quality of living and ameliorate the quality of the environment in the “global city” era? How should landscapes be considered in fast-growing high-dense development, and will the incisiveness/ importance of the poorer city dwellers grow? The series of studios began with an understanding of the need to make everyday landscapes more resilient to environmental change and healthier and more inclusive places to live for the urban poor.

DOMESTICATED LANDSCAPE by Feng Yuanqiu and Hu Zhijie (MLA’15) explored site-sensitive infrastructure systems and optimum spatial configurations to create liveable environments while coping with existing mechanisms of high-density slum dwellings.

REVITALISING WITH WATER, Design strategies of the studio team (MLA’14) included softening the river edge to increase room for water, increasing accessibility to the recreational areas, retrofitting streetscape and flood mitigation infrastructure, adapting to floods and improving the quality of water for everyday usage.

DROP BY DROP – EVERY DROP COUNTS by Molina Isabel Villegas, Chen Nan, and Manasi Prabhudesai (MLA’20) proposed rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling system in the household, community and neighbourhood. By reconnecting the age-old relationship with water resources and eco-friendly practices, this project minimized the dependency on the urban water supply to create a self-reliant neighbourhood.

Baseco studio tackled 57 hectares of reclaimed land off Manila Bay. It is home to 50,000 urban poor immigrants, including slum relocation sites funded by various local non-profit NGOs (MLA’15). Situated in the lowest topographical point in east-northern Manila, GK Brookside village is another slum relocation area where people are struggling with frequent and severe floods (MLA’14). Situated 45 km from Metro Manila and home to numerous relocation projects, San Jose del Monte (SJDM) faces overwhelming population growth and a lack of economic opportunities (MLA’16). Finally, Bangalore studio (MLA’20) focused on Hebbal Kempapura district on the periphery of Bangalore; it has a series of water related crises including water shortages, improper drainage systems, and polluted lakes.

Each studio comprised four phases: preliminary research, on-site fieldwork, scoping design tasks, and design development. The first two to three weeks of each studio was dedicated to gathering tangible and intangible information on the site at multiple scales before going to the site as a team. The second phase was intensive fieldwork usually guided by local stakeholders, including government agencies, managers in NGOs, community leader groups, and resident volunteers. With their help, sub-groups of students conducted onsite mapping, took measurements, and held interviews to determinethe demands of the chosen community. The third stage was to propose individual/small group projects by identifying site-specific topics and design sites based on the synthesis of accumulated materials from the previous two stages. Finally, each student delivered a set of design proposals and sequential planning of construction and

management envisioning better working, living and playing environments in the long run.

PRIVATE

Chatting, Relaxing, Leisure farming

TOWERVILLE’S BANTAY ILOG by Lim Cherlyn, Liu Yuehua and Sun Yunzi (MLA’16) proposed revitalising the watercourse by softening the edge of a riverside village while empowering economic activities along the slope areas and harnessing household scale-expansion for productive outdoor spaces.

STREET

Social spaces, Small shops, Children play space

RELATED OUTCOMES

STUDENT DISSERTATION

RIVERSIDE

Riverfront lookout, Chatting and relaxing space, leisure farming

Deepika Amonkar, The interrelationship between social inequity and the inequities of green space distribution in Mumbai, 2015–2016

STUDENT AWARDS

2014 SILA Student Design Awards Outstanding Contextual Analysis and Investigations (Bronze), Living with Water: Flood Resilience Community in GK Brookside, Sandilya Atreyee, Li Jinmu, Lee Lynn (MLA’14)

2014 SILA Student Design Awards, Best Design Showcase (Gold) &Innovative Construction Award (Gold), Remediating Baseco’s Coast by Engaging Community In Contribution to Mangrove Ecology, Goh Wei Xiang, Xu Lanjun (MLA’15)

2014 APR-IFLA Merit Award, Living with water: flood resilience community in GK Brookside, Atreyee Sandilya, Lee Lynn, Lee Jinmu

PUBLISHED PAPERS

Hwang, Y.H. and Feng, Y., 2019. 12 years after: lessons from incremental changes in open spaces in a slum-upgrading project. Landscape Research , pp.1-16.

Hwang, Y. H., Nasution, I., Amonkar, D., Hahs, A., Less greenery for the poor? Social inequity and green space distribution in tropical Asian megacities, Journal of Cities (Under revision)

STUDIO BOOKS

Hwang, Y. H. (Editor), 2019, Landscape of necessity: water resilient Bangalore, CASA, NUS, ISBN 9789811418563

Hwang, Y. H. (Editor), 2016, Landscape as necessity 04, CASA, NUS, ISBN 9789810999605

Hwang, Y. H. (Editor), 2015, Landscape of necessity 03: urban revitalization strategies for a low-income community in San Jose del Monte, CASA, NUS, ISBN 978-981-09-5748-3.

Hwang, Y. H. and Oscar (Editor), 2014, BASECO 2014: urban revitalization strategies for low-income communities in Manila, CASA, NUS, ISBN 978-981-09-1542-1

Hwang, Y. H. (Editor), 2013, MLA studio: Landscape of necessity 01: design strategies for a flood resilient low income community, CASA, NUS, ISBN 978-981-07-6777-8]

CORE LECTURE MODULES

The Landscape Core Lecture Modules expose students to wide-ranging landscape theories, methodologies, and technologies and are aimed at developing advanced skills and critical thinking. While some are oriented to practice and others take a research focus, all modules provoke a deep appreciation for the critical role of landscapes in the sustainability, liveability, and resilience of urban areas. Often linked with the concurrent design studio topic, they develop technical design skills in implementation detail and proficiency using cutting-edge software, explore timely topics like water urbanism and urban ecology in depth, and dive into theory, history, contemporary landscapes, and policy. Through the accompanying design studio projects, students are able to apply knowledge and skills gained in the lecture modules to real world problems in real design sites. Twentythree core lecture modules have been conducted over ten years, led by 30 full-time and visiting tutors with a broad range of expertise spanning research and practice.

Core Modules

LA4202 Planting design

LA4203 History and Theory of Landscape Architecture

LA4212 Topics in Tropical Forest Ecology

LA5201 Policy of Landscape

LA5222 Urban Ecology and Design

LA5301 Geodesign

LA5302 Detail design

LA5303 Urban greening: Techniques and Technologies

AR5954A Topics in Landscape Architecture

Past Modules

AR5954a Topics in Landscape Architecture: Water Urbanism (2018/19-1)

LA3201 Introduction to the History of Landscape (2008/09-2 - 2010/11-1)

LA3211 Tropical Plant Identification 1 (2008/09-1 - 2013/14-1)

LA3301 Tropical Urban Horticulture (2012/13-2 - 2013/14-2)

LA3701 Introduction to Landscape Design (2008/09-1 - 2013/14-1)

LA3711 Sketchbook 1 (2008/09-1 - 2013/14-1)

LA3712 Sketchbook 2 (2008/09-2 - 2013/14-2)

LA4201 Theory of Modern Landscape Architecture (2008/09-1 - 2013/14-1)

LA4212 Tropical Plant Identification 2 (2008/09-2 - 2013/14-2)

LA4301 Material and Design (2010/11-1 - 2017/18-1)

LA5301 Site Systems (2009/10-1)

LA5402 Professional Practice (2009/10-2 - 2011/12-2)

LA4202 Planting Design

The urban environment is very different from the environment in which plants have naturally evolved. For plants to thrive in the often challenging growth conditions in urban areas, two specific general conditions need to be met: favourable growing conditions and appropriate landscape design for groups of plants to thrive. This module focuses on:

(1) understanding unique growing urban conditions, covering aspects such as urban temperatures, water, nutrients, light and soil;

(2) designing planting areas to satisfy growth needs;

(3) understanding the plants suitable for different urban conditions; and (4) creating a planting design to ensure diverse groups of plants can thrive in urban areas. The module takes students through the whole spectrum of design with plants on a large and small scale, focusing on tropical plants, though the design theory can be applied to any climatic region. It includes field trips to view live examples.

LA4203 History and Theory of Landscape Architecture

In this module, human inhabitation and intervention in the landscape is traced from prehistoric times to the present, highlighting the relationship between humans and landscape in particular traditions and cultures. The coverage is broad, including both Eastern and Western traditions and ancient and modern practices. Emphasis is on comparative studies of different cultures and traditions rather than on detail and depth of any particular practice of landscape intervention.

LA4212 Topics in Tropical Forest Ecology (previously: Tropical

Plant Identification)

The module starts with an appreciation of the immense biodiversity of plants in our region, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of natural primary forests and the need to extend them by recreating them in the urban context. The module also covers the appropriate use of nonindigenous plants. It emphasizes the need to be ecological-minded when selecting plants, with particular attention placed on conservation; the beautification of place should not be done at the expense of making another landscape look less attractive. The business implications of matching the right plant to site, using quality plants, and then being able to care for them professionally are also covered. Lectures are augmented with field trips to illustrate the application of the principles discussed.

LA5201 Policy of Landscape (previously: Politics Of Landscape)

This module integrates design capabilities with ecological baseline knowledge to be applied in a landscape policy and decision-making context. It presents a review of current topics in landscape architecture and planning, considering environmental and nature conservation issues through lectures, readings and discussion. In a broad sweeping presentation of strategic, comprehensive regional design and landscape planning, as well as impact assessment issues, students are challenged to critique current practice and to reflect on the relevance of landscape policies to society. Guest lecturers provide a substantial portion of the lectures, presenting their perspectives based on their individual practices and careers.

LA5222 Urban Ecology and Design

Urban ecology is the study of ecosystems that includes humans living in cities and urbanising landscapes. It is an emerging, interdisciplinary field that aims to understand how human and ecological processes can coexist in humandominated systems and to help societies become more sustainable. It has deep roots in many disciplines, including sociology, geography, urban planning, landscape architecture, engineering, economics, anthropology, climatology, public health, and ecology - all of which are described in this class. The module is designed to introduce students to the fundamental principles of urban ecology so they can better integrate ecological principles in their future designs.

LA5301 Geodesign (previously: Site Systems)

This module focuses on developing the knowledge and techniques of site analysis and planning which are essential for sustainable landscape architecture. The module is named Geo Design because it emphasises the systematic thinking of site and site alternatives in a broad context, with the analysis supported by contemporary theories and methodologies in landscape and urban ecology. The tool of geographic information system (GIS) is used to develop advanced techniques in analysing, evaluating, managing and modelling.

LA5302 Detail Design

This module covers landscape construction techniques and detailing. The emphasis is on the integration of details in terms of performance and coherence of the overall design. The module explores consistency in the use of materials and adaptation of detailing to develophematic strategies to carry design conceptual ideals, engaging the interrelationship and interdependence of parts and whole, near and far, and small and large scales. Current examples of local and international designs are presented and critiqued.

LA5303 Urban Greening: Technologies and Techniques

This module introduces students to contemporary and emerging technologies and techniques that have become essential components of urban greening design and practices. It traces the origins of such technologies and techniques as responses to the challenges and opportunities of creating a green and ecologically-balanced urban environment, explains their scientific underpinnings, and illustrates the theory with examples of real-life applications. It emphasises the role of R&D in a continual process to improve the performance of greening in areas of sustainability, ecological health and liveability of the built environment. Topics covered include metrics used to measure greenery, technologies used to integrate greenery with the grey and blue elements of the built environment, and plants used as the basic building blocks of functional landscapes. The module includes lectures, class discussions, and site visits demonstrating real-life applications, as well as R&D in progress.

AR5954A Topics in Landscape Architecture

This module covers contemporary approaches and discourses in landscape such as landscape urbanism, water urbanism, ecological urbanism, landscape ecology, etc. Specific topics covered take advantage of visiting and adjunct faculty members who are experts in the different fields. Modules on landscape urbanism, landscape ecology, and water urbanism have been offered in the past.

RESEARCH DISSERTATION

Dissertation engages the student in a research project aligned to the academic interests of the student and is conducted under the guidance of a supervisor. It presents an opportunity for the student to investigate in depth a subject area of intellectual curiosity or of practical relevance to the professional practice of landscape architecture. The emphasis of the dissertation module is on adopting a scientific process to develop a central question or proposition, collect evidence, and produce a structured presentation of arguments in response to the questions being investigated. This process of self-directed inquiry and learning culminates in a substantial piece of written work that demonstrates a critical analysis of the pertinent issues and the use of scholarly methods in the presentation of arguments and perspectives. The dissertation projects complement the school’s research-oriented focus on the teaching of tropical landscape architecture. A total of 74 dissertations have been written between 20112019, several of which have been developed into academic papers and conference proceedings.

2011-12

Gauri Bharihoke: Study on Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM) Railway for Everyday Cycling.

Neha Mehta: Visual Landscape Quality Assessment of The Singapore Trail

Guo Yunjia Lehana: Politics, Public Participation and Public Space: An Analysis on the Public Participation Process in the Design of the Rail Corridor in Singapore.

Hou Suya: A Framework for Identification and Evaluation of Culture Landscape: Case Study of Singapore KTM Land.

Lin Shengwei Ervine: The Intersection of Aesthetics, Ecology and Economy in the Planning of Clementi Woodlands along The Green Corridor.

Muhammad Yazid Bin Ninsalam: Reverse Engineered Landscapes: Integration of Digital Visualization Processes within Analogue Workflows in Landscape Design.

Nur Syafiqah Bte Nahadi: Is the Public’s Perception of Nature an Important Factor in the Design of the Singapore Trail?

Nur Syuhada Bte Limat: The Aesthetic Value of Spontaneous Vegetation and its Conservation as a Possible Strategy for a Landscape Corridor Design in the KTM Track.

Sng En Ai Rebecca: The Linear Park and Urban Liveability: A Study of Singapore’s KTM Railway Land.

2011-12 (cont’d)

Soh Han Jie: Environmental Education in Parks: Influence of Naturalness on User Experience in Singapore.

Teo Hui Yi Rachel: Assessment of KTM as an Ecological Corridor in Singapore.

2012-13

Anna Yap Lai Fong: River Ecosystem Services and Urban Developments - Understanding the Changes in the Ecosystem Services of Klang River in relation to the Development of the City of Kuala Lumpur.

Fu Maoying: Everyday Landscape in Transitional Urban Space: Integrating Nature and Architecture as a Singular Seamless Landscape.

Heng Juit Lian: Harnessing Reclaimed and Recycled Materials in Singapore’s Landscape Architecture.

Pham Le Anh: Green Walls in Singapore: An Evaluation and Selection of Plants that are Suitable for Outdoor Green Walls and Supporting Biodiversity.

Ronnie Mak: Green Spaces in Public Housing in Singapore: A Precinct Level Documentation of Their Evolution Between an Old and New Housing Estate.

Shamy Vivek Darne: Greenroofs as Local Habitats in Singapore.

Wong Ruen Qing: Ideas of Nature in Cinema: An Investigation of the Theme of “Man and Nature” in Godfrey Reggio’s Films

KOYAANISQATSI (1982) and POWAQQATSI (1988) in Relation to the Notions of Nature.

2012-13 (cont’d)

Yeo Jia Hao: A Comparative Research Inquiry into the Divergent Notions of Nature and Landscape Between Taoism and Landscape Urbanism.

Zhang Rong: A study of Urban Green Spaces in Singapore’s Residential Towns.

2013-14

Atreyee Sandilya: Spatial Distribution of Urban Green Spaces in Cities and Its Role in the Ecology of Cities: Case of Delhi.

Chen Jiahui: Open Space and Density: How Open Spaces and Its Impact on the Visual Perception of High Density Urban Developments in Singapore.

Cheong Wan Ying: Opportunities for Enhancing Singapore Downtown Core’s Walking Experience through Urban Green Spaces.

Lee Xiao Ling Lynn: An Investigation of the Development of Ecological Capacity on Reclaimed Land in Singapore - Using Comparative Case studies of Marina Bay (South), Coney Island and Pulau Semakau.

Li Jinmu: An Assessment of the Potential of Spaces Underneath Flyovers and Nearby Traffic Islands to Deliver Urban Ecosystem Services in Singapore.

Mayura Patil: Planting Strategies for Urban Parks in Singapore to Increase Urban Biodiversity

2014-15

Feng Yuanqiu: The Socio-Cultural Value of Wild Growth: Uncovering the Design Potential of Secondary Forests in Singapore.

Low Peiqi: Design of the Singapore Botanic Gardens 1859-2015: Western Model and Local Adaptations.

Kow Xiao Jun: Effectiveness of Behavioural Design in Constructing Communal Landscapes.

Urawan Songmunstaporn Ling: The Evolution of Landscape Design in Bangkok Old Town: Thai Adaptation of Western Models Since the 1950s.

Goh Weixiang: Potential of Domestic Gardening in Public Housing to Contribute to Biodiversity Conservation in Singapore.

Zhang Shangyu: A Study of Urban Landscapes: Preference for Landscape Types in Restoring Mental Well-being.

Xu Haohui: Comparative Assessment of Spatial Structure of Urban Green Spaces Distribution and Urban Park Accessibility in Cities.

Hu Zhijie: The Spatial and Temporal Change of Green Space in Response to the Urbanization Process in Singapore Over the Last Two Decades.

Wan Jing: The Effects of Thermal Comfort and Shading Level on Different Park-Based Activities in Singapore Community Park.

Xu Yan: Design of Chinese Cemeteries in China and Singapore and their Transformation as Public Parks.

2014-15 (cont’d)

Xu Lanjun: Factors to Enhance Biodiversity of Green Walls in a Tropical City.

2015-16

Anushree Agarwal: Public Attitude and Preference Towards Landscapes in Singapore.

Chen Anzhuo: Greenroof Plant Selection for Urban Cooling and Drought Tolerance.

Cheok Zhi Ning: The Ability and Efficiency of Public Parks in Engaging Social Activities at Night.

Cherlyn Lim Li Xuan: Assessment of Cyclability in Tampines Town.

Deepika Nihar Amonkar: The Interrelationship Between Social Inequity and Inequity of Green Space Distribution in Mumbai.

Poh Qiying: Sustaining Community Gardens in HDB Flats from the Management Perspective

Sun Yunzi: Spatial and Structure of Green Space Distribution in New Developing Residential District and their Relationship to Spatial Equity.

Tan Li Wen, Ashley: An Assessment of Socio-ecological Factors that Affect the Formation of Novel Coral Ecosystems in Singapore.

Tao Yibei: The Effects of Vegetation in Mitigating Urban Land Surface Temperature in Singapore

2016-17

Chang Mei Fen: Development of Considerations for Edge Protection: A Case Study of the Central Catchment Reserve.

Chen Jumin: An Exploration of Village-in-City in China: A Case Study of Qilong Village.

Chen Wei: Assessment of Spatial Changes of Rural Settlements Arising from Airport Development.

Liu Yuehua: A Framework to Guide the Use of Space underneath Singapore’s Elevated Transport Infrastructure.

Pang Yu Rong: The Potential of Canal Naturalization in Singapore.

Pu Wenjun: Cultural Ecosystem Services of Mangroves in Singapore.

Qian Xuanyu: Community-Based Participatory Planning and Community Attachment in Singapore: “Hello Neighbour” Project in Tampines Central.

Su Yuting: Community-Based Ecotourism for Strategic Planning and Conservation of Cultural Identity in Chinese Historical Villages.

Tan Wenbin: Uncovering the Design Potential of Public Space to Facilitate Community Social Interaction in Singapore.

Wang Yuqian: Public Perception of a Nature Park in Singapore.

Zhang Qingqing: Changes of Coastal Landscape in Singapore.

2017-18

Amanda Jennifer Chandra - Urban Agriculture, Food Security, and Development Policies in Jakarta: A Case Study of Farming Communities at Kalideres: Cengkareng District, West Jakarta.

Bai Zhuhui: Richer Gets More Greenery? A Study of Bayannur City.

Dai Junwei: Assessing the Authentic Representation of the Chinese Garden Abroad: Case Studies of Two Overseas Chinese Gardens in USA.

Sun Hao Jen Ashley: Classifying NUS Campus Lawns Based on Floristic Potential on Rewilded Lawns.

Wu Yitong: Spatial Pattern Analysis of Secondary Forest in Singapore.

Yan Ran: Assessing the Visibility of Urban Greenery.

2018-19

Fan Lei: Integration of Ecosystem Services in Street Redevelopment of Informal Settlements.

Gao Chenchen: Temperature and Thermal Comfort Effects of Street Greenery in Singapore.

Kong Lingchang: Resource Flow Analysis of Rural Landslide Restoration Projects: A Case of Yame City, Fukuoko Prefecture, Japan.

Kuan Wai Tuck Victor: Public Perception on Nature in the Digital Community of Singapore.

2018-19 (cont’d)

Lam Si Yun Swan: Potentials for the Use of Therapeutic Landscapes in Palliative Care: A Case of Healthcare Providers in Hong Kong.

Liu Xiaolei: Does the Increased Focus on Landscapes in HDB Estates Lead to Higher Level of Ecosystem Services?

Wang Hanfeng: The Importance of Smellscape in Defining the Sense of Place.

Wang Zhe: The Intention of Rural and Urban Populations to Adopt an Agritourism Model as Part of Yame-shi Disaster Recovery.

Xu Linxin: A Research of UGS Spatial Characteristics towards Resilient Stormwater Management: A Case Study of Fuzhou Downtown Area.

Yao Haomu: Effects of Planted Forest on Shallow Landslides: Modelling Landslide Hazard through GIS-based Logistic Regression in 2017 Northern Kyushu Flood, Japan.

Yong Keng-Whye, Raymond: Understanding the Relationship between Migrant Workers and Open Green Spaces: A Study of the Importance and Usage of Green Open Spaces by Bangladeshi Migrant Workers in Little India, Lembu Open Space: “Minimart,” Singapore.

MLA TEAM

Her research, teaching, and professional activities focus on bridging between socio-ecological knowledge and landscape practices by developing actionable and contextualized design and management strategies in responding to fastgrowing Asian cities.

Introduction to Landscape Design (2010-2011), Sketchbook (2010-2014), Design Studio(2009Current), Detail Design (2010-2019), Dissertation (2012-Current)

Tan Puay Yok (Dr) Associate Professor, MLA Programme Director

His academic training is in horticulture science and plant physiology, and his research, teaching, and professional activities now focus on the science, policies, and practices of urban greening and ecology of the built environment.

Plant Science and Horticulture (2012-2013), Urban Greening: Technologies and Techniques (2012-Current), Dissertation (2012-Current)

His focus is the landscape architect’s practical task: designing for success and getting excellent projects completed. He stresses to students that making fine landscapes involves sensitive artistry and hardnosed technical construction and horticulture knowledge, and transforming urban hardness into landscapes for people.

Planting Design (2009-Current)

Hwang Yun Hye Associate Professor, BLA Programme Director

Steed Henry Adjunct Associate Professor

Her expertise is in the relationship between the built environment and human health and behavior. Research projects focus on health impacts of neighborhood walkability and access to healthy food and greenspace; social-spatial networks of urban farmers; and local urban food systems.

Design Studio (2017-current), Geodesign (2018-current), Dissertation (2017-current)

His teaching centres on plant diversity, forest ecology, and conservation. He also works closely with local environment and nature-related agencies and is active in nature conservation NGOs and civil society.

Plant Identification(2009-2018), Topics in Tropical Forest Ecology (2019-Current)

His research interests range widely and include urban and landscape ecology, especially as they relate to the conservation and management of urban ecosystems. His teaching focuses on providing students with the ecological knowledge to create liveable, healthy, and resilient cities in the future.

Urban Ecology and Design (2016-Current)

Diehl Jessica Ann (Dr) Assistant Professor

Lum Shawn (Dr) Visting Consultant

McDonnell Mark (Dr) Visting Associate Professor

He focuses on landscape design and blue-green infrastructures for liveable cities. In his research and worldwide projects, he is interested in solving environmental and socio-economic challenges, connecting technology with aesthetics, and encouraging people to respond to and take ownership of places.

Design Studio (2016-Current)

His interest is promoting and supporting environmental impact assessments, landscape planning, and new biodiversity offset approaches. His passion is highlighting the scientific potential of landscape architecture and landscape policies, particularly in the South-East Asian context.

Policy of Landscape (2010-Current)

He focuses on the adoption of emerging digital technology in landscape architecture and its potential to propel the profession forward. This includes the fusion of 3D, parametric and information modelling, city scale vegetation modelling, reality capture, virtual reality, rapid prototyping, and advanced manufacturing.

Design studio (Current), Digital Landscape (2019-Current), History & Theory of Landscape Architecture (2019 - Current)

Wende Wolfgang (Dr) Visting Associate Professor

Dreiseitl Herbert Visting Professor

Lin Ervine (Dr) Senior Lecturer

With a background in both architecture and landscape architecture, her passion is engaging communities and integrating urban hydrology, ecology, sustainability, and landscape architecture in urban spaces. Her project experience ranges from public realm urban-renewal projects to urban commercial and residential landscape design.

Design Studio (2017-Current)

His interest is the interrelationship of design, landscape infrastructure, and urban hydrology. His work includes interdisciplinary projects, with a focus on creating livable spaces that integrate infrastructural, ecological, and social values. He explores innovative, inter-disciplinary approaches in teaching and research.

Design studio (2016, 2018-current), Detail Design (Current)

She is interested in how cultural and aesthetic preferences for landscapes affect their environmental functions and in identifying design innovations to align the two. Her research uses a coupled agent-based and hydrologic model to examine how aesthetics affects human choices in stormwater management practices and urban hydrologic outcomes.

Design Studio (2015-2016)

Yip Melissa Visiting Lecturer

Feng Yuanqiu Instructor

Endo Kenya Lecturer

Past Faculty Title Modules Years taught

Baur Tobias Fabian Adjunct Assistant Professor LA4301 Material and Design 2015-2018

Bernard Stefan Visiting LA4301 Material and Design 2010-2012

Cipriani Laura (Dr) Visiting LA5701 MLA Studio: Country 2017-2018

Fung Otto Adjunct LA5402 Professional Practice 2009-2012

Ganesan S K (Dr) Adjunct LA4212 Tropical Plant Identification 2 2008-2012

Hahs Amy (Dr) Visting LA5301 Geodesign 2015-2017

Kim Soo Bong (Dr) Visiting Associate Professor LA 4701 MLA Studio: Quarter 2008-2009

Lao Kuei-Hsien (Dr) Visiting Associate Professor LA 5702 MLA Studio: Region 2017

Lee Yumi Visiting AR5954a Topics in Landscape Architecture: Water Urbanism 2018-2019

Lim Swe Ting Visiting LA4301 Materials and Techniques 2009-2010

Long Seen Hui Adjunct LA3701 Introduction to Landscape Design, LA3712 Sketchbook 2, LA4201 Theory of Modern Landscape Architecture, LA4702 MLA Studio: City

2008 - 2010

Ng Leonard Visiting LA5701 MLA Studio: Country 2016

Past Faculty Title

Ong Boon Lay (Dr) MLA Program Director, Senior Lecturer

Modules

LA3701 Introduction to Landscape Design, LA371 Introduction to the History of Landscape, LA3711 & 3712 Sketchbook, LA 4701 & 4702 MLA Studio: Quarter & City

Paar Philip (Dr) Visiting LA5301 Geodesign (previously: Site Systems)

Rekittke Jörg (Dr) MLA Program Director, Associate Professor

LA3711 & 3712 Sketchbook, LA3701 Introduction to Landscape Design, LA 4701-02 & 5701-02 MLA Studio: Quarter, City, Country & Region, LA5222 Urban Ecology and Design, LA5742 Dissertation

Years taught

2008 - 2010

Rinaldi Bianca Maria (Dr) Visiting

LA3201 Introduction to the History of Landscape, LA4203 History and Theory of Landscape Architecture

2009-2015

2008-2015

Toland Andrew Visiting Fellow

Yang Perry (Dr) Lecturer

History and Theory of Landscape Architecture

MLA Studio: Quarter

2010-2017

ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS

The search for true harmony between nature and the man-made environment has become ever more pressing, as the world continues to rapidly urbanize. The well-calibrated MLA programme has equipped me with the knowledge and skills to unlock the full potential of every site, creating sustainable, liveable, and resilient landscapes that contribute towards greater environmental health and human well-being.

I’ll always remember the intense and vigorous studio sessions which challenge me to question, investigate and justify, which enriched the design process for meaningful and creative design interventions. These skills have provided me leverage as a landscape architect in designing for Singapore’s parks and green spaces to achieve the City in a Garden vision.

To be in the MLA programme was both a privilege and an eye opener to be guided by the tutors in the various specialised knowledge and skill sets. The course influenced my formative approach to analysis, to be able to define an issue and not the problem, and to be able to discern the values of an integrated landscape approach and not mere superficial greening.

Cai Leonard, MLA’ 10 Deputy Director, (Landscape Design Office), Housing & Development Board

Xu Jingyi, MLA’ 10 Landscape Architect, Development Manager, Mandai Park Development

Tan Yit Chuan, MLA’ 10 Deputy Director, Landscape Architecture Branch, National Parks Board

The MLA programme has encouraged me to learn the ways of the land, people, and vegetation in this dense environment. It has also demonstrated the skills and criticality that help me in what I do now: managing Singapore’s public housing landscape design, design polices and studies in the Housing & Development Board.

I stumbled upon the MLA programme while considering a mid-career change but little did I know how deep down the rabbit hole I would venture. From being a student in the MLA programme to completing my doctorate and going full circle to teach landscape architecture! It’s been quite the journey and one that I am still continually learning and evolving from.

The MLA-NUS course instilled in me the foundation of landscape design – formulating a design vision, communicating that vision through visual expression and strong narrative, continually revising it through constant dialogue with mentors, and drawing up solutions to carry it through with various design tools introduced in the course. Beyond studio learning and mere planting aesthetics, we were introduced to real-world issues in the urban context, and how landscape architecture can, and should, be part of the solutions.

Hoo Xin Yu, MLA’ 11 Deputy Director, Landscape Implementation, Landscape & Design Department, Housing & Development Board

Carelnina Shiela, MLA’11 Associate, DP Green

Lin Ervine (Dr), MLA’12 Senior Lecturer, National University of Singapore

The satisfaction of improving the environment through meaningful design intervention inspires me to do the work at hand. Going on to pursue Doctoral studies allowed me to continue to grow the experiences taught within the Master’s programme.

The MLA programme gave us a solid foundation which we could build our careers on. And more particularly, it equipped us with an emphatic heart to care for and take action on global issues such as food shortage, rising sea water levels, and the like.

One of the highlights of the MLA course was to closely experience and engage in the issues related to landscape architecture in megacities of Asia. This led to a great shift in my perception of design and has pushed me to approach design more critically and also creatively in my professional work.

Ninsalam Yazid (Dr), MLA ‘12 Lecturer, RMIT (Australia)

Guo Lehana, MLA ‘12 Freelance Landscape Architect

Bharihoke Gauri, MLA ‘12 Intermediate Landscape Designer, Ekistics

Choosing to pursue landscape architecture is one of my best life decisions because I get to be involved in integrating the urban city fabric with natural systems and bringing people out and closer to nature. The MLA programme got us to understand site issues hands-on and allowed us to come up with practical and innovative design solutions.

Wong Ruen Qing, MLA’13 Lead Designer, Kompan Asia

I have come to value most the investigative and analytic hands-on approach that fuelled each of our landscape studios in the MLA programme, always beginning with a visit to the site and consistently thinking from the ground-up. I engaged with technical and aesthetic aspects of landscape and urban design, but also with larger political and philosophical issues.

Juit Lian, MLA’13

Being primed with sensitivities and skills to meet contemporary design challenges in landscape architecture were among the benefits from the MLA programme. I appreciated the local and Asia-Pacific region exposure through the coursework. The experience has prepared me with the critical thinking and creativity to address the design needs for liveable environments.

Heng

Executive Landscape Architect, Housing & Development Board

Yap Anna, MLA ‘13

Senior Landscape Architect, Stephen Caffyn Landscape Design

Joining MLA has opened my eyes to observe the issues inherent in my surroundings and environment; the realisation that everything we do will impact our surroundings and that we have the power to decide how these are played out. This understanding influences my work and design decisions daily - the analysing of the problems and impacts, and the recommendation of design solutions to the clients.

The 2 years of MLA had been filled with learning opportunities that were academically grinding and enjoyable. Overseas field trips were especially memorable that help shaped my understanding of the regional landscapes. Collaborative modules further strengthened myself to be better equipped in fronting the challenges within the interdisciplinary nature of the professional industry.

The NUS MLA programme defies the conventions of traditional architecture discourse, and often challenged us to think beyond the limits of design. Being trained in this mode enabled me to consider the total environment when designing, be it in architecture, landscape or urban design.

Lee Lynn, MLA’14 Senior Project Manager/ Landscape Architect, Coen Design International

Yeo Jiahao, MLA’13 Architectural Associate, Forum Architects

Pham Le Anh, MLA’13 Landscape Architect, Stephen Caffyn Landscape Design

Design solutions have to stay close to reality. This is what I have learnt to appreciate through the programme’s emphasis on understanding issues, site and context. The analytical and down-toearth approach continues to serve me well in the industry.

The MLA course engages architecture, urbanism, environmentalism, humanities, culture, politics, as well as social sciences in the curriculum. By exposing us to the real world, it opened a wider horizon for us to explore. Learning from professors with different expertise made us capable of dealing with design challenges of the built environment in megacities.

The MLA programme gives me a ladder, linking the reality to the perspective. It trains me in thinking critically and guides my understanding of landscape architecture from concept to construction. It also broadens my horizon to think beyond the limits of design through equipping us with ecological knowledge, sociology and more.

Mayura Patil, MLA’14 Landscape Architect, National Parks Board

Hu Zhijie, MLA’15 Landscape Architect, Guangzhou R&F Properties

Goh Weixiang, MLA’15, Landscape Architect, STX Landscape Architects

The MLA programme allowed me to venture out on the field to confront an array of contemporary ecological and social challenges. As a Landscape Architect, this has guided me in the design and management of real world spaces - especially in complex and ecologically fragile sites, where a careful balance has to be struck between meeting the needs of users and the preservation of natural systems.

The MLA programme has prepared me well for design work in highly urbanized environments. As a landscape architect, I seek to enhance cities and create desirable habitats for human and nature. Each project and assignment has equipped me with a different set of skills and perspective on how to tackle issues and synthesize creative solutions.

MLA has taught me how landscape architecture goes beyond planting design; it can improve the welfare of people, improve ecology, and create habitats to support biodiversity. The basis of good design stems from intensive site research which brought us beyond our studio. It has been an eyeopening adventure exploring different themes, countries, and scales of design.

Lim Cherlyn, MLA’16

Landscape Architect, Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl

Chang Pearlyn, MLA’17

Landscape Architect, ICN Design International

Loh Peiqi, MLA ‘15 Landscape Architect, Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl

The programme has heightened my sensitivity to real-world issues and imparted in me a deep sense of environmental and social responsibility. I am grateful for the cross-disciplinary exposure in the curriculum and the analytical rigour in the design approach. These have empowered me to address larger issues through innovative collaborations in the field of architecture, ecology and urban design.

The NUS MLA program helped me understand the importance of reconciling people with nature. We were taught to think creatively and analytically to address real world challenges of urbanization and climate crises. The program challenged me to push design boundaries, to come up with inventive solutions while design sensibly for the sustainable future.

Joining MLA programme was one of the best decision in my life as I had been given opportunities to marry both my passion in design and nature. The explorations were certainly happened beyond the classroom, and I am grateful of the various knowledge given to myself that helped to enrich my learning. The journey through the programme was eye-opening, and it was something that I will forever look back too even in the far future.

Pang Yu Rong, MLA’17

Landscape Architect, Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl

Sun Ashely, MLA’18

Graduate Landscape Architect, Grant Associates

Chandra Amanda Jennifer, MLA’18 Landscape Architect, Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl

Through the course, I came to appreciate the beauty of landscape architecture where the designed landscape is under-laid with purposeful details, derived from multiple analytical processes. The curriculum hones our aesthetic senses and encourages practical and research-based qualities in our projects, grooming us to be sensitive and innovative designers for the future.

The NUS MLA programme has not only broadened my horizon but also trained me to welcome the bottom-up approach by respecting the natural environment. As the environmental issue continues to threaten the whole human society, the landscape architect should be more collaborative and creative to defend both human and natural habitat.

What I will never forget are the explorations and discussions, questions and inspirations we had when we were MLA students. I am thankful for the solid foundation that the course has prepared me with; the thinking approaches, design techniques, and diversified resources of knowledge. The professional and personal commitments of the professors also built me up, and are influential to me in finding my voice and references to act in real-world design scenarios.

Fan Lei Helen, MLA’19 Graduate Landscape Architect, Grant Associates

Kong Charlie, MLA’19 Landscape Associate, DP Green

Kuan Victor, MLA’19 Graduate Landscape Architect, Grant Associates

We would like to express sincere gratitude to our colleagues in the Department of Architecture (DOA), School of Design and Environment (SDE), National University of Singapore (NUS). In particular, we would like to thank Professor Lam Khee Poh (Dr), Dean of SDE; Professor Heng Chye Kiang (Dr), former Dean of SDE (2007 to 2016); Ho Puay Peng (Dr), Head of DOA; and, Wong Yunn Chii (Dr), former Head of DOA (2007- 2017), for their continuous support of the MLA programme.

We also acknowledge and are grateful for the contributions of the many local and international supporters and collaborators to the programme. In the last 10 years, the MLA programme has collaborative efforts with other NUS programmes including M.Arch, MSc ISD, MAUD, and MUP; other universities including ETH Zurich, Tongji university, Chiba university, Kyushu university, and IBP university; local government agencies including National Parks Board, Housing and Development Board, Urban Redevelopment Authority, Public Utilities Board, JTC Corporation, and National Heritage Board; research institutions including Centre for Liveable Cities, Centre For Urban Greenery and Ecology (CUGE), and Singapore-ETH

Centre; diverse local and international nonprofit organizations; many external reviewers from landscape firms including Ramboll Singapore, AECOM Singapore, STX Landscape Architects, and Grant Associates; and support from Gardens by the Bay and Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects. including National Parks Board, Housing and Development Board, Urban Redevelopment Authority, Public Utilities Board, JTC Corporation, and National Heritage Board; research institutions including Centre for Liveable Cities, Centre For Urban Greenery and Ecology (CUGE), and Singapore-ETH Centre; diverse local and international nonprofit organizations; many external reviewers from landscape firms including Ramboll Singapore, AECOM Singapore, STX Landscape Architects, and Grant Associates; and support from Gardens by the Bay and Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects.

Lastly, we express special thanks to the more than one hundred students who have graduated from our NUS MLA programme in our first decade. It has been our pleasure to see them grow and mature, and in many cases continue to work with them after graduation. Without their efforts, this book cannot exist.

March 2020, Editorial Team