NUS LANDSCAPE: TAGORE FOREST LANDSCAPE SCENARIOS

TAGORE FOREST LANDSCAPE SCENARIOS Landscape Architectural Approaches for a Housing Development in a Tropical City

NUS School of Design and Environment | Department of Architecture LA4701 MLA Studio: Quarter, 8 Aug - 14 Nov 2016 Amanda Jennifer Chandra | Bai Zhuhui | Dai Junwei | Sun Hao Jen Ashley | Wu Yitong | Yan Ran Tutor: Hwang Yun Hye

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As a studio product which is not censored, It may contain mistakes or deficiencies, and proposed ideas may not represent the position of NUS.

Published by CASA Centre of Advanced Studies in Architecture Department of Architecture School of Design and Environment National University of Singapore 4 Architecture Drive Singapore 117566 Tel: +65 65163452 Fax: +65 67793078

Copyright Š 2017 Hwang Yun Hye (ed.)

ISBN: 978-981-11-1954-5

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TAGORE FOREST LANDSCAPE SCENARIOS Landscape Architectural Approaches for a Housing Development in a Tropical City

NUS School of Design and Environment | Department of Architecture LA4701 MLA Studio: Quarter, 8 Aug - 14 Nov 2016 Amanda Jennifer Chandra | Bai Zhuhui | Dai Junwei | Sun Hao Jen Ashley | Wu Yitong | Yan Ran Tutor: Hwang Yun Hye

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Published by CASA Centre of Advanced Studies in Architecture Department of Architecture School of Design and Environment National University of Singapore 4 Architecture Drive Singapore 117566 Tel: +65 65163452 Fax: +65 67793078

Copyright Š 2017 Hwang Yun Hye (ed.)

ISBN:978-981-11-1954-5

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STUDIO INTRODUCTION P12 - 15

CHRONOLOGY P17 - 25

PRELIMINARY RESEARCH

P33 - 87

PROPOSALS P89 - 173

REFLECTIONS P175 - 177

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STUDIO INTRODUCTION

Tagore Forest Landscape Scenarios_ landscape architectural approaches for a housing development in a tropical city Hwang Yun Hye, Assistant Professor, Masters Program of Landscape Architecture, Department of Architecture, School of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore

Background

Singapore’s land was originally covered by primary rainforests, mangroves and freshwater forests, harboring thousands of floral and faunal species in a complex tropical lowland forest ecosystem typical of the region (Wee & Corlett 1986; Ng et al., 2011). However, the clearing of land for settlements, starting from the colonial period of the late 1800s and culminating in the post-war urbanization of the 1960s, have resulted in widespread deforestation, leaving less than 5% of the original habitats intact (Tan, 2010; Ng et al., 2011). Over the years, these local habitats have further decreased and deteriorated as they become increasingly fragmented due to urban growth (Brook, Sodhi, & Ng, 2003; Corlett, 1992; Laurance, 1999). Land development in Singapore continues unabated and is projected to further accelerate, based on population policy announcements (NPTD, 2013) as well as newly released URA plan (The Planning Act Master Plan Written Statement 2014).

Under the ‘Garden City’ initiative and its successor, ‘City in a Garden’ (“City in a Garden,” 2015), nearly half of the land area of Singapore has been covered by manmade vegetation, consisting of both highly managed greenery and spontaneously vegetated areas (A.T.K. Yee & Richard T, 2011).

Managed greenery includes urban parks and neighborhood open spaces, as well as streetscapes lined by trimmed trees and manicured lawns. These types of greenery are regarded as the representative landscape in Singapore, featuring a parkland aesthetic likened to the ‘English Garden’ which is now widely preferred by the public (Khew, Yokohari, & Tanaka, 2014; Yuen, Kong, & Briffett, 1999) and subtly promoted by the national greening policies. However, despite their widespread social acceptance, these green spaces tend to be low in biodiversity and provides few ecosystem functions (Yee, Corlett, Liew, & Tan, 2011). Meanwhile, the value of minimally managed or unmanaged greenery such as lowland forests, freshwater swamp forests, and scrublands have been overlooked since these are often viewed as temporary landscapes waiting to be developed. Many future residential and commercial developments labelled on the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Masterplan are sited on these ‘transitory’ green areas, which usually consists of forests and scrublands. This approach to urban development may be problematic, as the fallowing green areas possess inherent ecological and cultural values that are ignored in the planning process. As calls for conservation are often seen as impractical in the economically-driven state, alternative design and planning approaches are needed to address the social and ecological consequences of rapid development.

Both managed and unmanaged greenery in Singapore have potential to contribute to improving the health of the urban ecosystem and the diversity of urban wildlife (Tan, 2010). It is unhelpful to see economic development and environmental conservation in a zero-sum game, where a clear winner or loser emerges in any contestation over a land lot slated for development. Instead, we look to find means of reconciling these objectives that are currently framed in opposition to each other and develop design strategies that could address socio-cultural, economic and environmental concerns. surrounding context. Students should choose his/her own site within the woodland or in its immediate periphery, based on problem statements and topics arising during the research period, aided by the various design exercises and input sessions.

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Site A 30hectre small patch of fallowing land in Ang Mo Kio district has grown into a mature secondary forest since the former kampong and its accompanying landscape was phased out in the 1970s. Currently, the Tagore forest has become an important stopover for wildlife moving to/from the central catchment Nature Reserve. According to Nature Society Singapore (NSS)’s report (2016), this fairly undisturbed area is distinctively rich in biodiversity - It is home to more than 32 noteworthy plants, several critically endangered animals including the Sunda pangolin, Sunda slow loris, banded leaf monkey and 71 forest birds species that could be further threatened if connective elements such as corridors and stopovers are lost or diminished. The forest is also regularly utilized by some member of the community. Along several informal footpaths and two scenic freshwater streams running through the both sides of the forest, recreationists can be seen trekking, strolling, and cycling towards Lower Seretar Reservoir. Sporadic informal ‘home gardens’, residents whom enjoy living near the greenery and bird watchers can also be spotted along the forest bordering estates, offering a vestige of the old kampong life that once thrived in the area. The forest patch is bounded by a 6-lane wide major road along the east side of the nature reserve (West), 4-lane wide neighbourhood road (East and South) and major highways SLE (North), making cross-boundary connectivity a challenge. It is also surrounded by a business district and two residential towns (Teachers’ Housing Estate, & Lentor Estate) which consist of private landed houses, low-rise condominiums, institutions & industrial areas, several new development plots, and reserved sites for future development. These neighboring built environments are neither distinctive nor varied; they are typically landscaped of private house estates with monotonous greenery, similar streetscapes and cookiecutter plans with catalogue recreational facilities inserted in every cluster.

Such homogenous landscapes are conducive neither to the formation of a neighborhood identity nor to the establishment of a healthy ecological network, calling into question current design and planning approaches which ignore the specificities of site context.

In the 2014 URA master plan, the site is zoned as a reserved area for future use and residential housings – it is expected to be developed into several private housing clusters serving residential functions and connected to the new Lentor MRT station (Thomson-East Coast Line). Massive construction and earthworks will be slated to begin in the third quarter of this year, two rare freshwater streams will likely be cleared, and main infrastructure including concrete drains, sewers, and roads will be gradually introduced within five years. According to the recent news (Strait Times, June 2016), the URA and associate authorities (NParks) have decided to save two forested plots for at least five years, to implement a wildlife management plan for preserving or relocating critical animals and plants, and to soften the surroundings through a naturalized canal and community parks. Meanwhile, NSS highlights the significant role as a mature forest in terms of provision of ecosystem services while proposing a phase development plan to ensure buffers of two streams, reforestation along existing green corridors, and noncanalization of the river to promote aquatic and marshland wildlife.

How can we compensate for the potential environmental impact while meeting the increasing commercial and housing demands? Given the city’s development requirements, how could initial infrastructure planning be guided towards a more ecologically sustainable direction?

Should the woodland be largely conserved as a destination nature park or could it be developed in an environmentally responsible fashion? Beyond simply preserving the site, can landscape architects propose design prototypes that can infuse greater ecological functions and diversity into the urban context? How can design promote a healthier lifestyle that is closer to nature for city dwellers? The studio seeks to answer these questions by devising new strategies and design applications of ecological principles, predicated on deep awareness of the multi-faceted nature of our city landscape and the intricate feedbacks between social and ecological factors in the city.

The Tagore forest patch is selected as a ‘landing’ site and serves as a point of reference for all design activities – sites selected should be inspired by findings from the woodland and its surrounding context. Students should choose his/her own site within the woodland or in its immediate periphery, based on problem statements and topics arising during the research period, aided by the various design exercises and input sessions.

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Design Principle and Approach

The studio aims to highlight the value of natural resources and ecological services, and propose ways to integrate them into our urban environments. We capitalize on the academic nature of the studio to develop ideas and schemes free of restrictions commonly faced in the practice, and beyond any constraints of political correctness. Multiple issues such as identity, multi-functionality, and livability will be examined. Students are also expected to develop their ability to read existing landscapes, to assess the environmental impact of design and planning decisions, and to convert their vision into a feasible landscape architectural form.

In this studio, we also emphasize the importance of designing with reference to principles.

Specifically, we look to the field of urban ecology to provide guidelines and tenets for formulating design strategies and proposals. As a starting point, we present below a set ecological urbanism concepts and their design implications proposed by Spirn (2011). However, these are not meant to serve as design restrictions and limitations, and students are encouraged to also read and reference other materials to guide their project.

- Cities are habitats : Design the city as a life-sustaining and life-enhancing habitat/ Celebrate the natural processes that shape the urban habitat and that sustain life, make them tangible and understandable - Cities are ecosystems: Design the city as a whole, as well as every park, building, and district within that larger whole, as ecosystems that require minimal inputs of energy and resources to build and sustain - Urban ecosystems are connected and dynamic: Identify and portray the interplay of natural and social processes that shape and structure the city / Address social and environmental challenges within appropriate boundaries at the appropriate spatial and temporal scales / Define multi-purpose solutions to comprehensively defined problems/ Take account of history - Every city has a deep structure or enduring context: Adapt the physical shape and structure of a city – the infrastructure of roads and sewers, the buildings and parks – to its deep structure - Urban design is a powerful tool of adaptation: Design resilient cities / Act comprehensively and incrementally.

In order to facilitate the studio objectives, six basic studio approaches will be emphasized during the entire semester. Ultimately, a high degree of invention, pragmatism and practicality is expected in the planning and design proposals.

- Research centered design: there will be an emphasis in exploring the relationship between documentation and analytical research through diverse conceptual frameworks.

- Site specificity: design is based on strong awareness of the geographical characteristics of the surveyed sites, locality and reality.

- Wide ranging spectrum: the spectrum of research happens across scales, from a neighborhood-scaled plan to a landscape detail such as a tree in a resting place.

- Urban ecology: mapping exercises provide understanding of the ecological systems and feedbacks in the site and surrounding context to inform design decisions.

- Multi-functionality: urban landscapes can potentially encompass various functional layers.

Students are encouraged to produce solutions that address multiple concerns simultaneously.

- Environmental justice: human and nature may have different demands, but the research takes into consideration an ecologically sustainable direction overall.

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Studio Structure

This is the first studio in Master programme of Landscape Architecture with participants from fourth year in NUS architecture and graduates from other universities in bachelor of Landscape architecture or associated fields. The 14-week period consists of 3 weeks of preliminary research to understand site context, with in-depth input sessions from professionals and field trips to identify problems and challenges. The next 3 weeks are devoted to applied research activities (including site observation & measurements, interviews with residents and other relevant persons, and detailed mappings) to acquire relevant knowledge while building design strategies. The last 8 weeks focus on design application, which will culminate in a convincing design solution for the issues identified by the individual designers. A group of experts including ecologists from the Nature Society Singapore and National Parks Board, housing planners from URA, and NUS MLA lecturers will assist students in avoiding the pitfalls of shallow and superficial interventions in this academic exercise. The guidance will offer immediate and accurate perspectives on the causes and consequences of deforestation on the island, as well as how urban ecology principles can be applied to address these issues.

Students were tasked to work as individuals and in groups according to the requirements of each stage of the studio. Designers ended up with an individual project or small group projects after discussing with tutors. Every student was also expected to contribute to studio management and documentation tasks, including leading the group (Schedule planning / Field trip planning / Presentation preparation), editing materials for studio publications (Publication / Diary / Photo documentation of studio process), managing information and resources (Sharing and collating references / Data management / IVLE management).

References Brook, Barry W, Sodhi, Navjot S, & Ng, Peter K L. (2003). Catastrophic extinctions follow deforestation in Singapore. Nature, 424, 420 - 423.

City in a Garden. (2015, 15/01/2015). Retrieved 21/07/2015, 2015, from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/about-us/cityin-a-garden Corlett, Richard T. (1992). The Ecological Transformation of Singapore, 1819-1990. Journal of Biogeography, 19(4), 411-420.

Khew, JoanneYuTing, Yokohari, Makoto, & Tanaka, Toshinori. (2014). Public Perceptions of Nature and Landscape Preference in Singapore. Human Ecology, 42(6), 979-988. doi: 10.1007/s10745-014-9709-x Laurance, William F. (1999). Reflections on the tropical deforestation crisis. Biological Conservation, 91, 109-117.

NPTD. (2013). A Sustainable Population for a Dynamic Singapore Population White Paper. Singapore: National Population and Talent Division.The Planning Act Master Plan Written Statement 2014. (2014). Retrieved from https://www.ura.gov.sg/uol/~/media/ User%20Defined/URA%20Online/master-plan/master-plan2014/Written-Statement-2014.ashx.

Spirn, A. W. (2011). Ecological urbanism: a framework for the design of resilient cities. Retrieved from http://annewhistonspirn. com/pdf/spirn_ecological_urbanism-2011.pdf Sustainable Singapore Blueprint. (2015). Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and Ministry of National Development, Singapore, from http://www.mewr.gov.sg/ssb/files/ssb2015.pdf.

Tan, Tiang Wah Hugh (2010). The Natural Heritage of Singapore (3rd ed.). Singapore ; New York: Prentice Hall.

Yee, A. T. K., Corlett, Richard T., Liew, S. C., & Tan, Hugh T. W. (2011). The vegetation of Singapore - an updated map. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore, 63(1&2), 205-212.

Yuen, Belinda, Kong, Lily, & Briffett, Clive. (1999). Nature and the Singapore resident. GeoJournal, 49(3), 323331. doi: 10.1023/A:1007060728210

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CHRONOLOGY 8 August - 14 November 2016

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Studio Orientation Our studio begun with a studio orientation by studio tutor, Prof Hwang Yun Hye. The students were assigned a couple of exercises to be completed throughout the course of the semester.

Exercise 1 was issued, an assignment based on the understanding of ecological design principles and strategies, students were tasked to apply relevant the ecological theories on the Tagore forested area.

Exercise 2 was assigned in a bid for students to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the site through three types of research activities, namely a) Theoretic investigation b) Physical condition c) Intangible contents. The students were tasked to comprehend a series of readings, and translate their understanding into contextual studies.

Our studio begun with a studio orientation by studio tutor, Prof Hwang Yun Hye. The students were assigned a couple of exercises to be completed throughout the course of the semester.

Studio Orientation

Seminar Session 1 by Dr Ho Hua Chew

1 was issued, an assignment based on the understanding of ecoThe first seminar was conducted by Dr Ho Hua Chew fromExercise the Nature logical design principles and strategies, students were tasked to apply releSociety on the flora and fauna of the Tagore Forest. vant the ecological theories on the Tagore forested area.

Our studio begun with a studio orientation by studio tutor, Ms. Hwang Yun Hye. The students understood that the forest will be undergoing deforestation The students were assigned a couple of exercises to be completed throughout the semester.

Exercise 2 was assignedthe in acourse bid for of students to acquire a comprehensive to make way for new condominiums in the future. understanding of the site through three types of research activities, namely The first seminar was conducted by Dr Ho Hua Chew from the Nature Society on the flora and fauna of the a) Theoretic investigation b) Physical condition c) Intangible Dr Ho gave Nature Society’s position on the matter, andforest emphasized Tagore Forest.

The students understood that the will bethat undergoing deforestation to make way for contents. The students were taskedontothe comprehend a series of readings, the secondaryinforest at Tagore should notNature be removed entirely newvaluable condominiums the future.

Dr Ho gave Society’s position matter, and emphasized that and translate because it hassecondary a high potential beTagore regenerated forest.entirely because understanding into contextual the valuable foresttoat shouldinto nota primary betheir removed it has studies. a high potential to be

regenerated into a primary forest.

8 Aug Studio Orientation & Seminar 1 8 Aug: Studio Orientation & SeminarSeminar Session 1

Session 1 by Dr Ho Hua Chew

The first seminar was conducted by Dr Ho Hua Chew from the Nature Society on the flora and fauna of the Tagore Forest.

11 Aug: Visit to URA & Forest Survey 1

The students understood that the forest will be undergoing deforestation to make way for new condominiums in the future.

Visit to URA

DrThe Ho studio gave Nature position the matter, and emphasized that visited Society’s URA and they wereongiven a talk conducted by theMs valuable forest at Tagore not be removed entirely Celine secondary Tan, Executive Planner, fromshould the Department of Physical Planning (East) frompotential URA. 11 because it has a high to be regenerated a primary forest.

Aug Visit tointo URA

She explained the workings of urban planning in Singapore.

The studio visited URA and they were given a talk conducted by Ms Celine Tan, Executive Planner. students gained fesh insights and understood the landscape The students understood the workings of urban planning The in Singapore, the landscape history of how Singapore 8 Aug: Studio Orientation &as Seminar Session 1 re history Singapore established herself a Green City in reestablished herself as a Green Cityofinhow response to these governmental strategies. sponse to these governmental strategies.

Mr Barnabas Sim, Executive Planner, also explained land use changes on site, the timeline and procedures of deforestation.

The talk was continued by Barnabas Sim, Executive Planner from the 11 Aug: Visi Department of for Physical Planning, who provided the students with valuThe studio visited the site the first time and they were joined by able information with regard to their site at the Tagore Forest.

Mr Shawn Lum, a Tropical Rainforest Ecologist and the President of the Nature Society. The students were given an introduction on the context of tropical forests, and understood important concepts of forest ecology.

He described that the Tagore area would undergo land use changes, the timeline and procedures of deforestation, and the expected Thefuture studio visited U plans for the area. He also mentioned that the URA’s position that Tan, Exe Mswas Celine the clearing the Tagore forest is vital to accommodate the increasing Planning (East) from demand for condominiums in the years to come.

She explained the w Forest Survey 1 The students gained history of how Singa The studio visited the site for the first time and they were joined by sponse to these gov Dr Shawn Lum, a Tropical Rainforest Ecologist and the President of the Nature Society.

The talk was continu Department of Phys The students were given an introduction on the context of tropical able information with forests, and understood important concepts of forest ecology.

Visit to URA

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He described that th the timeline and pro plans for the area. H the clearing the Tag demand 9/12/2016 5:20:25 PM for condom

rimary forest, given time. the secondary forest has a very high potential of transforming mary forest, given time.

The second forest study at Tagore forest was conducted Mr Shawn Lum, whereby the group attempted to

theForest location of the streams, 12 track Aug: Survey 2 and established that forest used to be a rubber plantation. Shawn verified that the secondary forest has a very high potential of transforming into a primary forest, given time.

12 Aug: Forest Survey 2

12 Aug Forest Survey 2

15 Aug: Seminar 2

15 Aug: Seminar 2

minar Session 2 by Dr Mark McDonnell & Dr Tan Puay Yok nar Session Dr Mark McDonnell & Dr Tan Puay Yok nar on “Urban Ecology 2 andby Ecosystem services” was

ted by Dr Mark J. McDonnell for an understanding on arkings on “Urban Ecology and Ecosystem services” was and importance of urban forest ecology. d by Dr Mark J. McDonnell for an understanding on ngs and urbanresilience forest ecology. trated theimportance concepts ofofforest (ability of the

15 Aug Exercise 1 Pin up Seminar 2 & 3

o withstand a direct hit from external factors), persisated the concepts of forest resilience (ability of the provision of space for organism to exist and reducing After the seminars, there was a sharing and pinup session among peers with regard to their individual a directthrough hit frominnovative external factors), persisswithstand of urbanisation and adoptive mancontextual studies, selected accordingly from their areas of interests. Topics such as vegetation, ovision of space for organism to exist reducing nt), adaptation (facilitating movement ofand species across biodiversity, hydrology and urban infrastructure were shared. of urbanisation innovative andand adoptive manape in responsethrough to altered conditions) transformaA seminar on “Urban Ecology and Ecosystem services” was conducted by Dr Mark J. McDonnell for an ), adaptation movement of species across cognising that(facilitating ecosystems are dynamic). understanding on the workings and importance of urban forest ecology. e in response to altered conditions) and transformaThe session was followed by a second seminar “Urban Greenery and Ecological Network in Singapore” ognising that ecosystems are dynamic).

by Dr Tan Puay Yok, whereby he explained the landscape planning policies and legal framework drafted out by the dedicated institutions in Singapore.

ssion was followed by a second seminar “Urban Greenery ological Network in Singapore” by Dr Tan Puay Yok, followed yion hewas explained theby a second seminar “Urban Greenery ogical Network in Singapore” Dr Tan Puay Yok,out by ape planning policies and legalby framework drafted he explained the in Singapore. icated institutions e planning policies and legal framework drafted out by institutions Singapore. eated seminars, thereinwas a sharing and pinup session peers with regard to their individual contextual studies, dseminars, accordingly from their areas ofand interests.

Topics such as there was a sharing pinup session ion, biodiversity, hydrology and urban infrastructure were eers with regard to their individual contextual studies, accordingly from their areas of interests. Topics such as n, biodiversity, hydrology and urban infrastructure were

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The session begun with Mr Leonard Ng from Atelier Dreiseitl Asia, who gave us an overview from masterplanning to detailed planting palettes on the Jurong Park Plan.

The session was followed by Mr Tan Yit Chuan from Nparks, who provided the students with a seminar on the design on ecological neighbourhood greenery, as well as the design developments of Coney Island and Bidadari.

The seminar was followed by pin-ups of Exercise 2 whereby students share their site surverys and research in their respective groups

18 Aug Seminar 4 & 5 Exercise 2 Pin up

19 Aug Forest Survey 3

22 Aug Forest Survey 4

The fourth forest study at Tagore forest was conducted Mr Shawn Lum and the session was joined by Dr Tan Puay Yok. The studio continued exploring parts of the forest and conducted on-site studies of the native vegetation.

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The series of forest studies was concluded with a site analysis presentation with Mr Shawn Lum. A presentation of research and findings on the sights and vegetation of the Tagore Forest were presented as a form of base data as a reference for all.

26 Aug Forest Survey 5

29 Aug Forest Analysis Presentation

1 Sep Exercise 1 & 2 Final Presentation

The final presentation of Exercise 1 & 2 was joined by Dr Amy Haas, an expert on Urban Ecology Geographic Information Systems (GIS) The students presented their findings in the categories of “Physical” and “Intangible” aspects of the site.

These information were imperative to the design process in the later phase of the semester.

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The students were required to propose their issue statements and also look for suitable approaches to resolve them.

5 Sep Proposal of Issues

19 Sep Mid Review 4 guest reviewers were invited for the mid review session, namely, Mr Tan Kit Chuan from NParks; Dr Abdul Rahim Hamid, Research Fellow of NUS Department of Architecture, Dr Jessica Cook, Associate Professor of NUS Department of Architecture, and Mr Ryan Shubin, Landscape Architect from Ramboll Dreiseitl.

The reviewers gave the students a myriad of advice and offered design suggestions regarding their individual research and site issues and how the students could possibly progress towards a design.

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Following the Mid Review, Dr Mark McDonnell joined the studio in a session and the students presented their project schemes to him. The session was fruitful, whereby he contributed valuable advice as to how they could proceed with their design.

26 Sept Mid Review Follow Up

10 Oct Design Development During this period, the students focused on the development of their design strategies, making them more realistic and specific to their sites.

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Students returned to their targeted site to confirm feasibility of their design proposal with studio tutor.

26 Oct Last Site Visit to Confirm Design Feasibility

29 Oct Design Feasibility Consultation A studio session is conducted with Mr Tobias Baur from Ramboll Dreiseitl, who is an experienced landscape architect. The students presented their design development and the session concluded on a favourable note whereby he gave advice crucial to the progress of their projects.

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More intensive studio sessions were needed to further refine individual works.

3 Nov - 10 Nov Studio Consultation Towards Final Design

14 Nov Final Review & Reflections 4 guest reviewers were invited for the mid review session, namely, Mr Tan Kit Chuan from NParks; Dr Tan Puay Yok, Associate Professor of NUS Department of Architecture, Dr Jessica Cook, Associate Professor of NUS Department of Architecture, and Mr Ryan Shubin from Ramboll Dreiseitl.

Each student presented their research, concept and design tactics, and received constructive criticisms from the panel.

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PRELIMINARY RESEARCH

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TAGORE HISTORICAL TIMELINE Changes of Landscape and Landuse

1953

forest

1953

grass/ rubber scrubland

1958

1975

1958

forest minor grass/ coconut rubber mixed minor mangrove coconut ponds mixed forest mangrovegrass/ ponds rubber cultivation scrubland tree cultivation waterbodytree waterbody scrubland plantation plantation

minor forest grass/ coconut rubber mangroveminorponds coconut cultivation scrubland cultivation waterbody

1975

mangrove forest ponds grass/ rubber waterbody scrubland

1984

minor forest grass/ coconut rubber mixed minor ponds coconut cultivation scrubland tree cultivation waterbody plantation

mixed tree plantation

1984

ponds forest waterbody

grass/ scrubland

coconut forest mixed grass/ ponds coconut tree scrubland waterbody plantation

mixed tree plantatio

Some estate Some such oldest as the estate Teacher’s such as Housthe Teacher’s Hous- Tagore Tagore industrial area started industrial to bearea constructed. started to settlements Kampong grewsettlements bigger with grew increasbigger witholdest increasKampong settlements Kampong existed settlements with rubber existedKampong with rubber ing Estate had been ing Estate constructed. had been Rubber constructed. plan- HDB Rubber planalong Ang Mo HDB Kioalong Avenue Ang5Mo hadKio been Avenue rubber plantation ing rubber area. plantation area. plantation, coconut, plantation, and other coconut, mixed and plantaothering mixed plantatation started to decrease tation started whiletomixed decrease tree while plan- mixed tree plancompleted.

Therecompleted. was an increase There was in theanlanded increa tions. tions. tation such as fruit tation treesuch plantation as fruit gained tree plantation popu- housing gained type popu-while housing the kampong type while settlements the kampong larit larit started to disappear. started Rubber to disappear. plantationRubber had displa appeared completely appeared while completely mixed tree while plantation mixe became the dominating becamelandscape. the dominating landsca

19701968 1971 1973 1970 1971 1973 1967 1968 1967

1980

1980

1990

Better facili The Teache St Thomas Orthodox St Syrian Thomas Cathedral Orthodox wasSyrian constructed.

Cathedral w

HDB along Ang Mo Kio HDB Avenue along5Ang wasMo constructed.

Kio Avenue 5 was constructed.

Singapore Teachers’ Singapore Union (STU) Teachers’ started the Union Teachers’ (STU) started Housing the Estate.

Teachers’ Housing Estate.

256 terrace houses were 256 terrace completed houses in the were Teachers’ completed Housing in the Estate.

Teachers’ Housing Estate.

Provision shops started Provision to set up. shops Before, started theto residents set up. Before, the residents were dependent on the were surrounding dependentkampongs on the surrounding for groceries. kampongs for groceries.

Ang Mo Kio new townAng wasMo first Kio planned. new town was first planned.

STU completed the Teachers’ STU completed Centre the in the Teachers’ estate with Centre in the estate with offices, multi-purposeoffices, hall, and multi-purpose sport facilities. hall, and sport facilities.

A Chinese home in the A Chinese old days home in the old days Kampong house and Kampong rubber plantation house and rubber plantation Bulldozer flattening the Bulldozer area forflattening HDB flats. the area for HDB flats.

Kampong Chengsan,Kampong Ang Mo Kio, Chengsan, 1970s Ang Mo Kio, 1970s

Chi

Chia Keng Village, Yio Chia ChuKeng Kang, Village, 1958 Yio Chu Kang, 1958

Squatters shifting their Squatters possessions shifting for their resettlement. possessions for resettlement.

Kampong Chengsan,Kampong Ang Mo Kio, Chengsan, 1970s Ang Mo Kio, 1970s

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1992

84

coconut forest mixed grass/ ponds coconut tree scrubland waterbody plantation

mixed tree plantation

ponds waterbody

1992

forest

grass/ scrubland

1998

mixed forest pondsgrass/ tree waterbody scrubland plantation

mixed tree plantation

ponds waterbody

1998

forest

grass/ scrubland

2016

mixed forest pondsgrass/ tree waterbody scrubland plantation

mixed tree plantation

ponds waterbody

2016

forest

grass/ scrubland

park

pondsgrass/ forest waterbody scrubland

park

ponds waterbody

Modern housing Modern development housing area development grew bigger.area grewlanded bigger.housing ore a started industrial to bearea constructed. started to be constructed.

Some Somearea landed andhousing condominiums area andThe condominiums mixed tree plantation The mixed had tree been plantation abandoned had been abandoned Kampong had disappeared settlements had comdisappeared Kio B along Avenue Ang5Mo hadKio been Avenue 5 Kampong had been settlements formed comthe latestformed housingthe development. latest housing Mixed development.

Mixed and for two decades for two replaced decades by regenerating and replaced by regenerating pletely. plantation Mixed was treethe plantation landscape wastree the plantation landscapewas mpleted. as an increase There was in theanlanded increasepletely. in the Mixed landedtree treestill plantation popular. was still popular.secondary forest.secondary forest. of the entire Tagore of the neighbourhood. entire Tagore neighbourhood. he sing kampong type while settlements the kampong settlements ted Rubber to disappear. plantationRubber had displantation had disyeared while completely mixed tree while plantation mixed tree plantation ame ing landscape. the dominating landscape.

1990

1990 1994

1994

2010

Better facilities were equipped Better facilities at schools. were equipped at schools.

The Teacher’s CentreThe wasTeacher’s no longerCentre relevant. was no longer relevant. homas an Cathedral Orthodox wasSyrian constructed.

Cathedral was constructed.

First Evangelical Reformed First Evangelical Church was Reformed constructed.

Church was constructed.

as constructed.

2010

The land occupied byThe the land Teacher’s occupied Centre by the wasTeacher’s Centre was leased to a private property leased developer. to a private property developer.

First Evangelical Reformed First Evangelical Church community ReformedinChurch the early community days. in the early days.

DB flats.

Chinese kampong house Chinese at Yio kampong Chu Kang, house 1986 at Yio Chu Kang, 1986 An aerial view of Tagore An aerial neighbourhood. view of Tagore neighbourhood.

Sources: NUS Geography Department NHB (www.nhb.gov.sg) URA Ang Mo Kio Planning Report 1996 https://www.cardcow.com/images/set548/ card00060_fr.jpg https://remembersingapore.org

s for resettlement.

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LANDUSE

missing resource Resource: URA Masterplan 2014

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240m

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BUILDING HEIGHTS

13-15 Storey height 13-15 Storey height 10-12 Storey height 10-12 Storey height 7-9 Storey height 7-9 Storey height 6 Storey height 6 Storey height 5 Storey height 5 Storey height 4 Storey height 4 Storey height 3 Storey height 3 Storey height 2 Storey height 2 Storey height 40

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240m

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LAND

Topography (5m) Elevation

N

200m

Topography Valuability Analysis

Elevation

N

120m

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Larger scale slope Slope

N

200m

Smaller scale slope

Slope angle °

N

120m

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HYDROLOGY

Natural Waterbodies Manmade Waterbodies Water direction

Tagore Forest

Natural Waterbodies Manmade Waterbodies Watershed Water Direction 2 km

N

Peak discharge Conclusion According to the Runoff Coefficients analysis of the defference between the urban areas and the forest areas, the Peak Discharge in paved urban areas is nealy six-times than the forest areas and will be almost 10-times than the forest areas in future due to the deforestation.

Coefficient Comparison Current urban areas, Q=0.7*5.12(inch/hour)*72080(acre)=258334.72(ft3/s) = 3.8 swimming pools/s Calculation: Q=c i A Q ( Peak discharge), c (Runoff coefficient), i (Rainfall intensity) A ( Drainage area)

Rainfall

Rainfall depth Runoff depth

Simplified Table of Rational Method Runoff Coefficients, c Groundcover

h2

Runoff Coefficient, c

Urban areas

0.3~0.75 0.5~0.95 0.5~0.9

0.7

Nature areas

Forest areas

0.5~0.25

0.2

Paved urban Runoff Coefficient,c=h2/h1=0.7

Rainfall intensity (mm/hr) in singapore, i

Rainfall

140 130

130

h1

infiltration

Residential areas Business areas Industrial areas

Rainfall depth

120 110

Runoff depth h2

100

h1

Infiltration

90 80 70 60

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Forest Runoff Coefficient,c=h2/h1=0.3

paved urban areas: 291.7 km2

Projected deforested areas used as urban areas Current forest areas, Q=0.2*5.12(inch/hour)*40772(acre)=41750(ft3/s) = 0.6 swimming pool/s

Prodicted deforestation areas: 47 km2

Forest areas:165.4 km2

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Peak discharge in two streams

Peak discharge in Tagore forest Q = 0.2*5.12(inch/hour)*74.13(acre) =75.9(ft3/s)=7740m3/hr = 4 swimming pools(50m*25m*1.8m)/hr

pools/s

g pools/s

Tagore Stream

Lentor Stream

Tagore Stream

7740m3/hr = current condition

1.7 km2

91.7 km2

Lentor Stream

4×

7740m3/hr =

current condition Peak discharge paved area Q1 = 0.7*5.12(inch/hour)*69.19(acre)=247.98(ft3/s)=25200m3/hr Peak discharge forest area Q2 = 0.2*5.12(inch/hour)*4.94(acre)=5.1(ft3/s)=504m3/hr Q = Q1+Q2=25704m3/hr=12 swimming pools

4×

/hour /hour

3-times

Peak discharge in the canal by URA planning 3-times

pool/s

g pool/s

URA development

5.4 km2

URA development

65.4 km2

25704m3/hr =

12 ×

25704m3/hr =

12 ×

/hour /hour 45

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HISTORY OF STREAMS

History of Water Body and House Development

1941

1966

Natural Waterbodies Mangrove Swamp(tidal) Sand House

Natural Waterbodies Mangrove Swamp(tidal) Coral Reef

1975

Mud House Natural Waterbodies

2016

Natural Waterbodies Manmade Canal House

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WATER FLOW

Natural Waterbodies Park Buildings Open Space Concrete Canal Nature Stream Water Direction

100 M

N

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CHARACTERISTICS OF STREAM CHARACTERISTIC CHARACTERISTIC OF NATURE OFNATURAL NATURE STREAM STREAM Lentor Stream Lentor Stream

Lentor Stream

Ficus variegata Ficus variegata Elaeis guineensis Elaeis guineensis

Angiopteris evecta Angiopter Elaeis guineensis Elaeis guineensis Iguanura geonomiformis Iguanura geonomiformis Spathodea A A Dracaena fragrans Dracaena fragrans A

A

Nature lover’s Nature track lover’s track Plan A

Plan A

Angiopteris evecta Angiopteris evecta

Wild Pig(RC) Wild Pig(RC)

Tagore Stream

A

Dracaena fragrans Dracaena fragrans

Caryota

Solfshell Turtle Solfshell Turtle

Tagore Stream Tagore Stream Plan C

Fishing Fishing Plan B GardeningGardening

Plan C

A-A SectionA-A Section

Plan B

DieffenbachiaDieffenbachia amoena amoena Pennisetum purpureum Pennisetum purpureum

C

Malayan GiantMalayan Frog(RC) Giant Frog(RC) Pennisetum purpureum Pennisetum purpureum DieffenbachiaDieffenbachia amoena amoena

Long-tailed Macaque(WC) Long-tailed Macaque(WC) Common Treeshrew(WC) Common Treeshrew(WC) C D D

C

C

Plan B

Plan B

C-C SectionC-C Section

Painted Bronzeback(WC) Painted Bronzeback(WC) Asian Toad(WC) Asian Toad(WC) D

CaryotaDmitis Caryota mitis

Areca catechuAreca catechu

D-D SectionD-D Section

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Ba

Aglaonema commutatum Aglaonema commutatum Angiopteris evecta Angiopteris evecta Hevea brasiliensis Hevea brasiliensis ormis Caryota mitis Caryota Caryotamitis mitis Caryota mitis Areca Spathodea Spathodea campanulata B BcatechuAreca catechu A A campanulata Areca catechuAreca catechu Leea umbraculifera Leea umbraculifera

Elaeocarpus mastersii Elaeocarpus mastersii

A

A

Pellacalyx axillaris Pellacalyx Durioaxillaris zibethinus Durio zibethinus

Horsfieldia polyspherula Horsfieldia polyspherula Indochinese SpoGed Indochinese Barb(WC) SpoGed Barb(WC)

B

B

Spotted House Spotted Gecko(WC) House Gecko(WC)

Plan A

Plan A

Areca catechuAreca catechu Caryota mitis Caryota mitis

Aglaonema commutatum Aglaonema commutatum Copper-cheeked Copper-cheeked Frog(RC) Frog(RC)

B-B SectionB-B Section

Bamboo

Bamboo

Musa acuminata Musa acuminata Asplenium longissimum Asplenium longissimum Caryota mitis Caryota Dieffenbachia mitis Dieffenbachia amoena amoena Pennisetum purpureum Pennisetum purpureum E E Musa acuminata Musa acuminata

Bamboo

Bamboo

n Pennisetum purpureum Pennisetum purpureum E E

Plan C

Masked Rough-sided Masked Frog(RU) Rough-sided Frog(RU)

Plan C

E-E SectionE-E Section

n

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LAND

Landform

Bukit BukitTimah Timah166m 166m low lowridges ridges flat flat

00

90 90

Height Height

Slope Slope

The middle of the main island contains a number of rounded hills; west and southwest the land is a series of low ridges, while east and southeast, the land is generally flat.The highest point of Singapore is Bukit Timah at only 545 ft. (166 m), while the lowest point is the Strait of Singapore (0 m).

Composition

Imported Sand

Tagore TagoreForest Forest

Sedimentary SedimentaryRocks Rocks Igneous IgneousRocks Rocks Quatenary QuatenaryDeposits Deposits

2013 2013 2009 2009 1989 1989 1973 1973

Sand is typically imported mostly from Indonesia, but also from the other neighbouring countries of Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia.

Trees Deforestation

202ha 202ha 691ha 691ha

Second Secondforest forest Old OldSeccondary SeccondaryForest Forest Yound YoundSecondary SecondaryForest Forest

1786ha 1786ha

Tree Treelost lostininfuture future Institutional InstitutionalDevelopment Development

2021ha 2021ha

Commercial CommercialDevelopment Development Residential ResidentialDevelopment Development

4700ha 4700ha==228106 228106trees trees

Reserve ReserveSite Site

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Height analysis; the lower area accounted 17ha which is much better for vegetation and store water.

Slope analysis: the area accounted for 18ha where slope is smaller is approriate for infrustructure.

Excavation and filling analysis

current current situation situation

URA URA development development

Leveling Levelingby byland landsurveyor surveyor

Grubbing Grubbingout outbushes bushesand andtrees trees

Removing Removingofofsoil soiltotoreduce reducelevels levels

Typical Typical development development Excaved Excaved soil: soil: 669867 669867 m3 m3 == 67000 67000 ×× Required Required fill: fill: 2790400m3 2790400m3 == 279040 279040 ×× Deficit: Deficit: 2120533m3 2120533m3 Topsoil Topsoil lost: lost: 60000m3 60000m3 == 6000 6000 ××

Residential Residential area area Park Park

Required Required fill fill Excaved Excaved soil soil

Total Total trees: trees: 1456 1456

Removed Removed trees: trees: 1456 1456

Planted Planted urban urban trees: trees: 206 206

URA URA plantation plantation Total Total tree tree lost: lost: 1250 1250

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SINGAPORE WILDLIFE MAP Habitats and Related Organisms

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GREEN SPACES IN TAGORE VICINITY

Patches Location and Connection

5000m

N

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FAUNA HABITATS

Source From : Flora Fauna Web. (n.d.). Retrieved September 08, 2016, from https://florafaunaweb.nparks. gov.sg/Home.aspx B. (n.d.).

Animals that visit the durian tree, Durio zibethinus. Retrieved September 08, 2016, from http:// www.besgroup.org/2014/05/01/animals-that-visit-the-durian-tree-durio-zibethinus/ Refer. (n.d.). Retrieved September 08, 2016, from http://refer.dnzhishi.com news/2015/0423/277674.html Bird Ecology Study Group, Nature Society (Singapore). (n.d.). Retrieved September 08, 2016, from http://besgroup.blogspot.sg/2007/01/breeding-ecology-of-little-tern-6.html Simpoh air (Dillenia suffruticosa) on the Shores of Singapore. (n.d.). Retrieved September 08, 2016, from http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/plants/others/dillenia/suffruticosa.htm

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EDGE BETWEEN HUMAN AND NATURE Edge Structure

Disturbance line lies outside drip line.

Drip line lies outside disturbance line.

The forming of veil when drip line aligns with disturbance line.

Mosaic boundary.

The structure of edge differs according to where initial ege was formed and the point of maintenance.

Edge Shape

Patch Shape

Eight common boundary type cove

concave

Forest development along newly created edge. Crosshatching illustrates development of the structure of edge-oriented species.

straight

convex

lobe

corner

finely wavy

coarsely wavy

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

Largest interior area

Least interaction with adjacent and distant matrix.

Small core. Little interaction with adjacent and distant matrix.

Little interaction with adjacent and distant matrix. Straight boundaries increase erosion.

Patterns of expanding boundaries

Best for edge species.

Smallest core and interior area.

Highest genetic variation.

Dispersal funnel enhances recolonization of this patch and other patches.

Concave boundaries experience more colonization by edge species than convex or straight boundaries. Series of concave and convex boundaries should accelerate succession, augment the rea of edge, enhance wildlife habitat, and increase landscape diversity.

Dispersal funnels to distant matrix and Small core and interior area. drip-fence effect. Some genetic variation and risk spreading.

Dispersal funnels to distant matrix and drip-fence effect. Some interaction with adjacent matrix. Natural irregular form enhance interaction of many species.

Edge Management and Strategy Boundary arrangement for protecting a natural resouce area Generated edge overlays the administrative boundary

Generated edge lies inside the administrative boundary

Generated edge lies outside the administrative boundary

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PRECEDENTS: EDGE MANAGEMENT IN SINGAPORE Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Section A | Hindhede Nature Park

Light activities such as walking are done on broadwalk to minimize disturbance on the forest floor.

D

B

Section B | Cycling track

A

Narrow dirt parth for cycling activity are provided around the edge of te reserve area.

C

Section C | Forest edge - Condominium

Nature reserve boundary

Section D | Forest edge - Highway

Cycling track

Walking trail with shelter

Vehicular road

Quarry/ reservoir

Built area

Tall syzygium hedge is used to buffer the forest to the immediate built area such as road and condominiums.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Central Catchment

scrubland

scrubland

Scrubland buffers the edges facing the highway (BKE).

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HISTORICAL CHANGES OF NATURE RESERVE Changes of Edge and Landuse 1958 1958

1980 1980

1958

Tagore neighbourhood

1980

Tagore Tagore neighbourhood neighbourhood Forest

Forest CENTRAL CATCHMENT

CENTRAL CATCHMENT

CENTRAL CATCHMENT

BUKIT TIMAH NATURE RESERVE

Forest Forest Greenspace

Agricultural land Forest

Agricultural land with Agricultural settlements land with settlements Greenspace

BUKIT TIMAH NATURE RESERVE

CENTRAL CATCHMENT

Agricultural land with settlements

CENTRAL CATCHMENT

CENTRAL CATCHMENT

BUKIT TIMAH NATURE RESERVE

Greenspace BUKIT TIMAH NATURE RESERVE

BUKIT TIMAH NATURE RESERVE

2003

BUKIT TIMAH NATURE RESERVE

Forest Greenspace Agricultural land Agricultural land Built up area Greenspace

Greenspace

Built up area

Built up area

2016

2003

2003

2016

2016

Forest

Forest Greenspace Forest Forest

CENTRAL CATCHMENT CENTRAL CATCHMENT

Greenspace Built up area Greenspace Built up area

BUKIT TIMAH NATURE RESERVE

BUKIT TIMAH NATURE RESERVE

CENTRAL CATCHMENT

Forest Greenspace Forest

CENTRAL CATCHMENT CENTRAL CATCHMENT

Built up area

BUKIT TIMAH NATURE RESERVE

CENTRAL CATCHMENT

Built up area

BUKIT TIMAH NATURE RESERVE

BUKIT TIMAH NATURE RESERVE

GENERATED EDGE: grass buffer GENERATED EDGE: GENERATED EDGE: FOREST EDGE strongly edge speciesgrass buffer grass buffer strongly edge species strongly edge species

Built up area

BUKIT TIMAH NATURE RESERVE

ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARYADMINISTRATIVE ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARY BOUNDARY

FOREST EDGE FOREST EDGE

Built up area Greenspace Greenspace

ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARY ADMINISTRATIVE ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARY BOUNDARY

BUILT UP AREA BUILT UP AREA BUILT UP AREA

GENERATED EDGE: GENERATED grass EDGE:buffer GENERATED EDGE: strongly edge species: grass buffer grass buffer strongly edge species: strongly edge species

sometimes this area is used private garden on both sides of the road and on the front yard sometimes is usedgarden sometimes this area is used private garden onprivate both sides garden of the on road both and sidesonofthe thefront roadyard and on the frontthisyard asarea backyard as backyard garden

as backyard garden

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EDGE IN TAGORE NEIGHBOURHOOD

rhood

d

ace

rea

100m Administrative Generated edge Forest edge Forest interior Landed boundary / housing Administrativefences Administrative Generated edge Generated Forest edge Forest edge interior Forest interior Condominium Landed Landed / HDB housing boundary / boundary / housing Section cut fences fences

Section cut

Condominium / Office / HDB industrial building Condominium / Office / Office / Shophouses HDB industrial building industrial building

Shophouses Shophouses Religious building

Religious building Religious building

Section cut

Tagore Forest Structure

RATIVE RY

GE: NERATED EDGE: strongly edge species: s buffer ongly edge species: strongly edge species:

FOREST EDGE

FOREST EDGE FOREST EDGE

FOREST INTERIOR

FOREST INTERIOR FOREST INTERIOR

a is used times this area is used ckyard garden

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ANALYSIS ANALYSIS OF URBAN OF URBAN AND NATURAL AND NATURAL TIMELINES TIMELINES

Existing timelines Existingshows timelines the shows inherent theconflict inherent between conflictthe between pace ofthe urban pacedevelopment of urban development and and ecological ecological timescale timescale Timeline of current Timeline builtof patch currentnear builtLentor patch near Lentor

Lifespan of built environment Lifespan of built overenvironment time over time

Timeline of vegetation Timeline ofin vegetation Lentor Forest in Lentor Forest

Time for forest toTime regenerate for forest to prime to regenerate to prime Life span of virgin/ Life successional span of virgin/ forests successional forests Life span of regrowing Life span (Abandoned) of regrowing Planation (Abandoned) forestsPlanation forests Life span of wasteLife woodlands span of waste (forests woodlands regrown (forests on land regrown after 1960s) on land after 1960s)

Soil pH: 5 at 0–10Soil cm pH: 5 at 0–10 cm

Soil pH: 5 at 0–10Soil cm pH: 5 at 0–10 cm

S

Plant community PlantStructure community Dynamics Structure andDynamics Growth conditions and Growth conditions

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Soil pH: 3.5–4.2 at Soil 0–10 pH:cm 3.5–4.2 at 0–10 cm

Soil pH: 3.6.4.7 atSoil 0–10 pH:cm 3.6.4.7 at 0–10 cm

Sources: Sources: Alex Thiam Koon Yee*, AlexKwek Thiam YanKoon Chong, Yee*, Louise KwekNeo Yan&Chong, Hugh T.W. Louise Tan, Neo 2016. & Hugh Updating T.W. Tan, the classifcation 2016. Updating system the classifcation for the secondary system forests for the of secondary Singapore forests of Singapore Corlett R.T. ,1819-1990 Corlett (1992)The R.T. ,1819-1990 Ecological(1992)The transformation Ecological of Singapore, transformation of Singapore, Corlett R. T, 1997. The Corlett Vegetation R. T, 1997. in theThe Nature Vegetation Reserves in the of Singapore Nature Reserves of Singapore Louise Neo*, Alex T. Louise K. Yee,Neo*, K. Y. Chong, Alex T. K. T. C. Yee, Zeng K. Y.and Chong, HughT.T.C. W.Zeng Tan*,and TheHugh Vascular T. W. Plant Tan*, Flora The Vascular of Abandoned Plant Plantations Flora of Abandoned in Singapore Plantations III: Lentor in Singapore Forest III: Lentor Forest LM Chou, Hugh T.W.LM Tan,Chou, Darren Hugh C.J.T.W. Yeo,Tan, 2006.

Darren The Natural C.J. Yeo,Heritage 2006. The of Singapore Natural Heritage of Singapore Ghosh, S., Scharenbroch, Ghosh,B.C., S., Scharenbroch, Burcham, D. etB.C., al. Urban Burcham, Ecosyst D. et (2016) al. Urban 19: 949.

Ecosyst , Ghosh, (2016) S.,19: Scharenbroch, 949. , Ghosh,B.C., S., Scharenbroch, Burcham, D. etB.C., al. Urban Burcham, Ecosyst D. et (2016) al. Urban 19: 949.

Ecosyst (2016) 19: 949.

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ANALYSIS OF URBAN AND NATURAL TIMELINES ANALYSIS OF URBAN AND NATURAL TIMELINES

Existing timelines difference in degreesinofdegrees heterogeneity in terms ofincomposition and Existing shows timelines shows difference of heterogeneity terms of composition and structure between and urbanand vegetation in the Singapore landscapelandscape structurenatural between natural urban vegetation in the Singapore Timeline andTimeline composition of natural forest succession and composition of natural forest succession

Timeline andTimeline composition of urban vegetation Singaporein Singapore and composition of urbaninvegetation

Estimated level of Estimated level of Biodiversity in Urban Areas Biodiversity in Urban Areas

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and

stimated level of y in Urban Areas

Wasteland vegetation | Wasteland vegetation | Canopy: Falcataria Moluccana, Cercropia Pachstachya, Leucaena Leucocephala Canopy: Falcataria Moluccana, Cercropia Pachstachya, Leucaena Leucocephala Understorey: Imperatata Cylindrica, Mimosa Pigra Mimosa Pigra Understorey: Imperatata Cylindrica, Abandoned landAbandoned vegetation |land vegetation | Canopy: HeaveaCanopy: Brasilensis, Durio zibethinus,Durio Nephelium Lappaceum, Spathodea Campanulata, Auriculformis Heavea Brasilensis, zibethinus, Nephelium Lappaceum, SpathodeaAcacia Campanulata, Acacia Auriculformis Understorey: Aglaonema commutatum, Dieffenbachia seguine, Heliconia spp, Piper Sarmentosum Understorey: Aglaonema commutatum, Dieffenbachia seguine, Heliconia spp, Piper Sarmentosum Early SuccessionEarly Secondary Forests (Adinandra Belukar) | Succession Secondary Forests (Adinandra Belukar) | Canopy: Adinandra Dumonsa (Tiup-tiup), Dillenia Suffruticosa (Simpoh Air), Fagraea Fragrans (Tembusu), Ploiarium Tomentosa (Malay Canopy: Adinandra Dumonsa (Tiup-tiup), Dillenia Suffruticosa (Simpoh Air), Fagraea Fragrans (Tembusu), Ploiarium Tomentosa (Malay gale) gale) Understorey: Eriachne pallescens (Sedge), Gahnia(Sedge), tristis (Erect gahnia), linearis (Resam linearis fern), Lycropodiella cernua (Club- cernua (ClubUnderstorey: Eriachne pallescens Gahnia tristisDicranopteris (Erect gahnia), Dicranopteris (Resam fern), Lycropodiella moss) moss) Late SuccessionLate Secondary Forests (Macaranga, Mallatus, Trema)Mallatus, | Succession Secondary Forests (Macaranga, Trema) | Canopy: Macaranga heynei, Acaica auriculiformis, pinnata (Malayan teak), Melastoma Malabathricum Syzygium lin- Syzygium linCanopy: Macaranga heynei, AcaicaVitex auriculiformis, Vitex pinnata (Malayan teak), Melastoma(Sendudok), Malabathricum (Sendudok), eatum, Ficus grossularioides, Ficus Fistulosa, Ficus Timonius wallichianus, Archidendron clyperia, Elaeocarpus species, rhodamnia cinera, eatum, Ficus grossularioides, Fistulosa, Timonius wallichianus, Archidendron clyperia, Elaeocarpus species, rhodamnia cinera, (shade tolerant),(shade Garcina parvifolia, Calophyllum species, Cyathocalyx species, Xylopiaspecies, species Xylopia species tolerant), Garcina parvifolia, Calophyllum species, Cyathocalyx Urban vegetationUrban | vegetation | Phase 1| Protection of 1| large trees within development, planting trees quickly: Samanea Saman Phase Protection of large trees within development, planting trees quickly: Samanea Saman Phase 2| AddingPhase colours: pterocarpum, Delonix regia, Lagerstroemia Cassiaspeciosa, fistula, Cratoxylum cochinenses, 2| Peltophorum Adding colours: Peltophorum pterocarpum, Delonix regia,speciosa, Lagerstroemia Cassia fistula, Cratoxylum cochinenses, Tubebua rosea Tubebua rosea Phase 3| Introduction flowers: Micheliaflowers: champaka, Fagraea Fragrans, Gardenia carinata, Brunfelsia, americana, Phaseof3|fragrant Introduction of fragrant Michelia champaka, Fagraea Fragrans, Gardenia carinata, Brunfelsia, americana, Wrightia religiosaWrightia religiosa Major urban species: %), Peltophorum pterocarpum (12pterocarpum %), Khaya senegalensis (8 senegalensis %), Swietenia(8 macrophylla (8 %) MajorAlbizia urban saman species:(29 Albizia saman (29 %), Peltophorum (12 %), Khaya %), Swietenia macrophylla (8 %) and Khaya grandifoliola (4 %) and Khaya grandifoliola (4 %)

Sources: Sources: Tan, H., 2008. Checklists of Threatened species: Plants. In, Davison, G., Ng, In, P. &Davison, Ho, H. 2008.

Singapore Red The DataSingapore Book: Threatened Animals Plants of Tan, H., 2008. Checklists of Threatened species: Plants.

G., Ng,The P. & Ho, H. 2008.

Red DataPlants Book:and Threatened and Animals of Singapore. 2nd edition, Nature Society, Singapore.

Singapore.

Singapore.

2nd edition, Nature Society, Singapore. Singapore.

Alex Thiam Koon Yee*, Chong, & Hugh Louise T.W. Tan, Updating the classifcation system for the secondary Singaporeforests of Singapore AlexKwek ThiamYan Koon Yee*,Louise Kwek Neo Yan Chong, Neo2016. & Hugh T.W. Tan, 2016. Updating the classifcation systemforests for theofsecondary Corlett R.T. ,1819-1990 (1992)The Ecological transformation of Singapore, Corlett R.T. ,1819-1990 (1992)The Ecological transformation of Singapore, Corlett R. T, 1997. The Vegetation in the Nature Reserves of Nature Singapore Corlett R. T, 1997.

The Vegetation in the Reserves of Singapore Louise Neo*, Alex T.Louise K. Yee,Neo*, K. Y. Alex Chong, C. Zeng HughT.T.C.W.Zeng Tan*,andThe Vascular Plant Flora of Abandoned Plantations in Singapore III: Lentor Forest III: Lentor Forest T. K.T.Yee, K. Y.and Chong, Hugh T. W. Tan*, The Vascular Plant Flora of Abandoned Plantations in Singapore LM Chou, Hugh T.W.LM Tan, Darren C.J. Yeo, 2006.

TheC.J. Natural of Singapore Chou, Hugh T.W. Tan, Darren Yeo,Heritage 2006. The Natural Heritage of Singapore Cantley, N., 1884. Report on N., the1884. forestsReport of theon Straits Settlement.

Printing Office.

Singapore Cantley, the forests of theSingapore Straits Settlement.

Singapore Printing Office. Singapore 63

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DEGRADATION LEVEL OF GREEN Satge1 Forest without degradation Satge2 Trees dominate over herbaceous weeds Stage3 Mixed trees and herbaceous weeds Stage4 Herbaceous weeds dominate Stage5 Small park and residential green Stage6 Public green Stage7 Small gardens and roadside green Stage8 Lawn

Stage 1 Forest without degradation Syzygium malaccense

African Tulip

Durian

Elaeocarpus petiolatus Acacia

Starfruit

Rambuton

Macaranga (High Avi Animal) Oriental Pied Hornbill

Litsea (Trees) Durian Rubber Rambai Starfruit Albizia (Shrubs) Brown heart Claoxylon indicum (Herbaceous) Sirih piper

(Low Avi Animals) Oncosperma horrindum Macarange griffithiana Manihot esculenta Claoxylon indicum

Wild Cinaman

Sea apple Betle palm Oil palm African tulip Sea apple Oil friut Kampong Pulai Nibong palm Artabotry swrayi Clerodend rum Wild nutmeg Macaranga bancana Elephant fern (endangered) Alocasia

Alangim ridleyi Syzygium pseudoformosa Cyathocalyx sumatranus Alangium ridleyi Elaeocarpus petiolatus Macaranga

Leea guineensia Baphia nitida Ten men tree Wild cinnamon Macaranga gigantia Alstonia macrophylla

(Ground Animals) Green Crested Lizard Plantain Squirrel Band Leaf Monkey

Spikesedge

Satge2 Trees dominate over herbaceous weeds African Tulip

Rambai

Rambutan Starfruit

(High Avi Animal) Oriental Pied Hornbill (Low Avi Animal) Averrhoa carambola Durio zibethinus Cinnamomim iners Artocarpus heterophyllus

Elephant grass (Trees) African Tulip Rubber Jackfruit Chempedak (Shrubs) Brown heart (Herbaceous) Elephant grass

Rambai Rambutan Chocolate tree Terong pipit Fishtail palm Caryota mitis

Leea guineensis Sea apple Sea almond Albizia False tapioca

Oil palm Pulai Starfruit Salam

Wild cinnamon Caryota mitis Yellow stem fig Malayan banyan

Balik angin

Syzygium zeylanica

(Ground Animal) Green Crested Lizard Plantain Squirrel Band Leaf Monkey

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Stage3 Mixed trees and herbaceous weeds Albizia

Albizia

Banyan

Pulai

(High Avi Animal) Oriental Pied Hornbill

Wild nutmeg

(Low Avi Animal) Antigonon leptopus Manihot esculenta Colocasia esculenta Spathodea campanulata

Clerodendrum

Syzygium zeylanica

(trees) Oil fruit Terminalia catappa Guioa pubescens Clerodendrum Artocarpus heterophyllus Pellacalyx axillaris Albizia falcataria Syzygium cumini Litsea elliptica (Shrubs) Wild nutmeg Elaeis guineensis Hevea brasiliensis (Herbaceous) Caryota mitis Piper betle Colocasia esculenta

Stage4 Herbaceous weeds dominate

(Ground Animal) Plantain Squirrel Black House Ants Wild Boar

Spathodea campanulata Ficus roxburghii Durio zibethinus Diospyros blancoi Mangifera indica Pterocarpus indicus Musa acuminata

Dieffenbachia amoena

Oil fruit

Ten men tree (Low Avi Animal) Musa acuminata Kyllinga brevifolia Alstonia angustiloba Alangium ridleyi

Clerodendrum

(trees) Adinandra dumosa Acacia (Shrubs) Syzygium malaccense Clerodendrum paniculatum (Herbaceous) Sirih piper Pennisetum purpureum

Samanea saman Alangium ridleyi Clerodendrum Artocarpus integer Manihot carthaginensis Dracaena fragrans Manihot esculenta Dieffenbachia amoena Kyllinga brevifolia Alocasia macrorrhizos Aglaonema commutatum

(Ground Animal) Long-tailed Macaque Plantain Squirrel Black House Ants Wild Boar

Ten men tree Wild cinnamon Pipturus Colocasia esculenta Musa acuminata

Stage5 Small park and residential green Terminalla catappa

Albizia saman

Albizia saman Syzygiun

Eugenia grandis Pithecellobium dulce

Terminalla catappa Syzygiun zelanicum

Albizia saman Imperata cylidrica

Stage6 Public green Adenanthera

Durian Dillenia

Durian Dillenia suffrutcosa

Jackfruit

Adenanthera pavoning

Stage7 Small gardens and roadside green Cerbera

Hymenaea

Erythrina

Clerolendron

Peltophorum pterocarpum Cerbera manghas Clerolandron deflexum

Fagraca fragrans

Hymenaea courbaril Imperata cylidrica

Erythrina crista-galli

Stage8 Lawn

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REFORESTATION METHODS Framework Species Method

Description: Planting mixtures of species typical of the particular forest ecosystem.

Aim: To exploit natural (and cost-free) seed dispersal mechanisms to bring about the recovery of biodiversity.

Well-suited to: remants of the target forest (primary forest near reservoir) must survive within a few kilometres of the site.

Degraded forest with low sourses of regeneration.

Sea almond

Oil fruit

0 year

both pioneer tree species and climax species (mixtures of 20-30 species) are planted 1.8 m apart in a single step.

The planted pioneer trees grow rapidly and dominate the upper canpy, They flower and fruit and attract seed dispersal fauna.

The planted climax tree species form an understorey, while seedling of non-planted species grow on the forest floor.

Sea almond

Oil fruit

Oil fruit

Ficus fistulosa

Acacia auriculiformis Paraserianthes Acacia auriculiformis

Sapotaceae

15 year

Some of the plented pioneer trees begin to die back, providing light gaps for the climax species while new growth occurs. Forest canopy and forest structure, ecological functioning and biodiversity levels move towards those of climax forest.

Optional species on site

5 year

Artocarpus heterophyllus

Ficus fistulosa

Durio zibethinus

Hevea brasiliensis

Myristicaceae

Sapotaceae

Fig tree (Ficus spp) are keystone species in tropical forest ecosystems. ( excellent for sttracting seed-dispersing and preventing soil erosion and stabilising river banks.)

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Maximum Diversity Methods

Description: Intensive site preparation and a single planting event.

Aim: To plant most of tree species that comprise the target climax forest.

Well-suited to: smaller plantings, where intensive management is possible and for areas isolated from any native vegetation. ALSO particularly suited to urban forestry.

Disturbed area with few trees which natural seed dispersal has declined so that it is no longer capable of recovering tree species richiness in restoration sites.

Elaeocarpus petiolatus

Syzygium malaccense

Reduce edge effects by densely planting buffer zones with shrubs and small trees as wind breaks.

Site were levelled and covered with 15 cm of top soil, they were deep ripped to 90 cm depth.

15 cm topsoil 90 cm

Syzygium malaccense

60-90 species were planted (mostly climax forest tree species), spaced 1.5m apart. Most species should be represented by at least 20-30 trees/ha. include: large-seed species keystone species endangered vulnerable or rare species Climax trees take many years to mature and produce seeds. understory of climax tree sapling can develop.

Syzygium malaccense

Elaeocarpus petiolatus

Elaeocarpus petiolatus

Syzygium malaccense Durian

Ficus microcarpa Rambuton Cinaman

Rubber

African Tulip

Starfruit

Acacia auriculiformis

Litsea Artabotrys Oil Palm Fish tail Jack fruit suaveolens

Ficus fistulosa

Macaranga Antigonon leptopus

Myristicaceae Sapotaceae

Wild Cinaman Manihot esmlenta Colocasia esculenta Dieffenlachia

Optional species on site

Sources: Restoring Tropical Forests——A practical guide, Stephen Elliott David Blakesley & Kate Hardwick 67

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TEMPERATURE GRADIENT ANALYSIS Surface Temperature at Site

N

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120m

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VEGETATION SPECIES MAPPING

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120m

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VEGETATION HABITAT MAPPING

N

Locations in Tagore forest

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FAUNA HABITATS AND MOVEMENT

120m

N

VALUABLE VEGETATION HABITATS Several mappings are overlayed to find out the degree of valuability in the Tagore forest.

Mappings that are overlayed are : Canopy Density Canopy Height Topography Valuability Assessment

120m

N

Valuable Vegetation Patches

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OVERLAYING VALUABLE FAUNA AND VEGETATION HABITATS There is a positive correlation between these two mappings.The areas that are overlapped are the valuable patches for both animal habitats and forests.

High value habitats Recommanded site for forest conservation

120m

N

RECOMMENDED SCENARIOS

GIS results

The studio is divided into different teams to consider the different aspects on site and to come up with ideal scenarios to safeguard the interest on site according to the different scenarios.

The issues considered are: 1) Forest Conservation & Inserting Habitats 2) Water & Edge Conditions 3) Accessibility & Resource Management

120m

N

Recommanded site for forest conservation Recommanded site for water & edge preservation Recommanded site for watershed & accessibility for residents 75

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3

2

4

1

5

6 7 18 8 9 16 15

10

17

20 22

19

21

11 14

13

21

N

12

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VARIOUS LANDSCAPES IN TAGORE FOREST

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FUTURE DEVELOPMENT STAGES Timeline of Development Plan in Tagore

Before 2014: forest Before development 2014: forestsurvey: development survey: - Identify site issue - Identify by engaging site issue government by engaging agencies government agencies (NParks, PUB, (NParks, EMA, LTA)PUB, to investigate EMA, LTA)biodiversities, to investigate biodiversities, traffic route, andtraffic otherroute, issues. and other issues.

- Engage nearby - Engage residentnearby and other resident NGOsand such other as NGOs the such as the Nature Society Nature to inform Society and discuss to inform about andvarious discussissues about various issues regarding the new regarding development the new development

2014

2014

Masterplan 2014 Masterplan was launched 2014towas public. launched to public.

2016

2016

Started to clearStarted part of the to clear forest. part of the forest.

2019 2019 Finished clearing Finished and degrading clearing the andlad

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Construction ofConstruction parks, planting of parks, of roadside planting trees. of roadside trees.

2019 2019 earing Finished and degrading clearing the andland. degrading the land.

2020 2020 Construction ofConstruction road and services, of roadMRT, and services, infrastructure.

MRT, infrastructure.

2020 onwards: 2020 land isonwards: preparedland for residential is preparedconstruction. for residential construction.

GPR can be changed GPR can according be changed to future according needs to and future conditions. needs and conditions.

Sources: URA Masterplan 2014 (www.ura.gov.sg) Google Maps (www.maps.google.com)

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ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

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HABITATS / LANDUSE Size and Connectivity of Major Habitat in Singapore

Distribution of secondary forests on land zoned for residential, commercial, institutional and reserve sites in URA Master Plan (2014)

Source: Puay Yok Tan Yuanqiu Feng Yun Hye Hwang , (2016),�Deforestation in a tropical compact city (Part A)�, Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, Vol. 5 Iss 1 pp. 47 - 72 84

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ECOLOGICAL CONNECTION Source: Abdul Hamid, A. R. 2015. Ecological Networks, Their Application For Biodiversity Conservation In An Urbanized Environment. Doctoral Dissertation. National University of Singapore

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PROPOSED SCENARIO FOR NATURE CONSERVATION

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120m

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PROPOSALS CONSERVING TAGORE: REHABILITATING AN URBAN FOREST Sun Hao Jen Ashley P90

CLIMATE SENSITIVE LANDSCAPE INFRASTRUCTURE

Yan Ran P107

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN TAGORE FOREST Dai Junwei P117

TAGORE NEIGHBOURHOOD AS A FOREST EDGE Amanda Jennifer Chandra P133

INSERTED URBAN GREENERY AS LOCAL HABITAT Bai Zhuhui P149

INTERWOVEN WATERSCAPE OF TAGORE FOREST ESTATE

Wu Yitong P165

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CONSERVING TAGORE: REHABILITATING AN URBAN FOREST Sun Hao Jen Ashley

Since independence, Singapore managed to industrialize rapidly and has continuously managed the changing demands of the demography and the economy. In order to establish urban habitats for the people, much of the secondary forests in Singapore have given way to the built environment. Our site of focus, the Tagore Forest faces a similar threat of being repurposed into community estates, catered for the growing population.

This project aims to reconcile the conflict of reducing forest size in the face of urban development, while conserving the biodiversity of the forest. Design of the project revolves around expanding habitats for specific wildlife endangered species, which calls for a heterogeneous mix of patches with variable cover, species and stand age classes.

Cultivating a forest in a city means creating favorable conditions with foresight over long periods of time, because forests are slow growing.

In addition, this urban forest project aims to be responsive to the needs of the local residents. Some urban residents may be unfamiliar with and even fearful of the dense wooded territory.

While improvement of forest biodiversity and potential benefits are prioritized, residents living nearby should play a part in enjoying the forest as a recreational space. Alternative forms of the human-forest intervention is proposed to encourage emotional attachment to the forest as a respite within the city, a place for social interaction and a way to connect to a new home. These interventions are namely using balconies as elevated boardwalks, inviting residents to partake in community gardening and allowing the gardens to mature into wild forest buffers after 20 years so as to widen the forest corridor. This urban forest landscape hopes to inspire attachment to place by extending the spectrum of outdoor sensory experiences and offering people an active role in preserving the forest.

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IDENTIFYING VALUABLE PATCHES FOR CONSERVATION Understanding Existing Tree Typology

N 120 m

Existing Tree Typology

Canopy Tree Typology

Height vs Age

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Analyzing Canopy Tree Typology

Categorizing species into various groups is essential to applying selected strategies

N 120 m

Analyzing Tree Heights vs Age

Heights are predicted as a function of tree age

N 120 m

For non pioneers, the taller the tree the more valuable. Pioneer trees like Albizia are exceptions, as the taller the trees, the more hazardous.

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IDENTIFYING VALUABLE PATCHES FOR TARGET FAUNA Understanding Favourable Habitats for Banded Leaf Monkey & Strawheaded Bulbul Forest structure required for targeted species

Understanding the Patch Theory

Ideal | Large Patch A large patch of forest is retained.

Minimum patch being at least 2.3 hectares

Considered Patch | Stepping Stones

Decided Patch | Stepping Stones

Decided patch | Corridor

Two smaller patches are connected by stepping stones but the fingered shape core is susceptibe to habitat fragmentation

Two core patches are connected with stepping stones

Habitat Fragmentation is reduced with a corridor

For highly visual oriented species, the effective distance for movement between stepping stones is determined by the ability to see each successive stepping stone.

A

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Analysizing Existing Conditions and Deciding the Patches to Preserve in Favour of Target Species

Core 1 2.5ha

N 120 m

Core 2 1.5 ha

An ecological optimum patch provides several ecological benfits and generally has a rounded core for protection of resources, as well as some curvilinear boundaries and a few fingers for species dispersal.

Straw headed Bulbul’s habitat is assumed to be patches with high fruit tree concentration.

A row of stepping stones is imperative in providing for movement of interior species between patches.

In this case tall Albizia trees on site serves as routes of connection for the movement of the monkeys.

Banded leaf monkey’s habitat is assumed to be fruit tree patches at the core of the forest.

Rehabilitating the Forest for Habitat Expansion of Target Species

Aim 1 | Removal of Hazardous Albizia Trees & Homogenous Patches

Aim 2 | Treating Canopy Gaps to Create a Continous Canopy to Facilitate Movement of Fauna

Aim 3 | Enriching Core & Edge of Forest with More Food Resources

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PROPOSED LANDUSE HOUSING PLAN WITH STRATEGIES Detailed Landuse Allocation with GFA

&

with reference to URA’s 2014 masterplan for the area

Implementation of Strategies

Forest Management Strategies 1 Mixed Planting

3 Forest Thinning

Increase the biodiversity of climax species richnes by planting saplings of different species, so as to re-establish fucntion and forest structure

2 Shelterwood

Utilizing existing fast growing pioneer trees: 1. Increase species richness of fruit tree 2. Replacing hazaardous fast growing pioneers by underplanting of dipterocarp seedlings

0-1 year : Both pioneer species and climax species are planted at 1.8m apart, “halting forest succession

Before underplanting, pioneer species domoate the forest, Sparse undergrowth and little light below the canopy

1-6 year: Pioneer trees grow rapidly. They flower and fruit attracts seed dispersal fauna. Their seeds get dispersed

0-6 years: Planting of shade intolerant species below the pioneer tree canopy

6-20 years: Overtime, pioneer trees die. They are replaced by climax species which grew steadily. The forest is now diminated by climax species and new growth occurs

6-20 years: Overtime, pioneer trees die, nurse trees could be thinned. They are replaced by planted species which grew streadily. Species became more diverse, and habitats of animals are expanded with increased food sources

Thinning out naturally regenerating trees, especially a dominating species to increase forest biodiversity by provision of light gaps for other species to grow

4 Reserved Tree

Selecting a few trees to provide a source of seed.

The chosen trees should be the healthiest and best seed producers in the stand.

Before thinning: Dominant tree patch Before removing vegetation, reserved trees are choses

0-6 years: Some trees are removed or branches are thnned, creating gaps in the canopy

6-20 years: Overtime, other light favouring tree species take over the gaps of the canopy. Species richness is increased, habitats of fauna are expanded

0-6 years: After vegetation removal. seeds are dispersed to the surrounding by wind or birds and they are left to grow under full light

6-20 years: Overtime, the number of trees of a certain species are increased. Good for repopulating a certain soecies

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CHANGES IN HUMAN STRUCTURES AND ACTIVITY

As the Forest Evolve with Time, Human Stuctures Evolve with Time

Residential Gardening along the corridor contributes to the thickening of the forest corridor.

Selected Fruit Trees are planted along the corridorso as to attract Bulbuls and the corridor is transformed to have bird watching decks.

Year 0

Year 20

Boardwalk structures on the balconies of terraces also serves as secondary routes to circulate around the forest for residents.

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OVERVIEW OF DESIGN IN STAGES

120 m

N

Masterplan at Year 0

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120 m

N

Masterplan at Year 20

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IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIES

Effects of Forest Management Strategies Over Time

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SE

CT

IO

N

CU

Year 20

T

Year 0

SE

CT

IO

N

CU

T

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IMPLEMENTATION IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIES OF STRATEGIES

PlantingPlanting Palette and Palette Forest andRehabilitation Forest Rehabilitation along Forest alongCorridor Forest Corridor Across Time Across Time

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Time

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CLIMATE SENSITIVE LANDSCAPE INFRASTRUCTURE Yan Ran While the forest will be replaced by residential areas in the future, the increase of intensity of development will worsen microclimate condition, as well as fragmentation of habitat. This project aims to propose a multifunctional landscape infrastructure to minimize the urban heat island effect and facilitate wildlife movement while keeping the infrastructure functions according to the need of the users.

Three main strategies are proposed. Firstly, a suitable location of the road is chosen according to the topography in order to reduce the soil waste for road construction. The existing large canopy trees are maintained by increasing the density of the vegetation structure. The road parallel to prevailing wind is fully utilized as efficient ventilation corridor. Secondly, to provide a microclimate adaptive cooler promenade for people. Some ecological methods will be introduced here such as vegetated swale that can induce evaporative cooling to the surrounding. Additionally, micro-topography based on existing topography is created to bring different air pressure and consequently creating air flow. Besides that, existing water feature is used to create a linear park to provide more cooling effect. In addition, homezone street type and shared street space provide a living street with more activity functions. Low speed vehicular permeable roads minimize the heat island effect. Thirdly, trees for fauna’s food resource are inserted along the street. There is continuity of the tree canopies on both sides of the street to allow the arboreal creatures to move around.

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TEMPERATURE TITLE ANALYSIS Existing SubtitleCondition

URA Plan

Maintext

ANIMAL HABITATS URA Plan

Existing Condition

straw-headed Bulbul Band leadf Monkey Giant Asian River Frog Red-legged Crake Painted Brenzeback Snake Sunda Panglin Blue-eared Kingfisher Slow Loris Softshell Turtle White Rumped Shama

DESIGN REQUIREMENT URA Plan

Existing Condition

7%~10% >10%

SITE Main road <7% Secondary road <10% Walk way <11%

Total area: 30.25ha Road area: 4.73ha Road porpotion:15.6% Average GPR: 2.2

Reference 106

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ROAD NETWORK PLANNING

Possible Juctions

Forest & Stream

Contour

GPR Distribution

Sun Path & Prevailing

Total area: 30.29ha Road area:4.69ha Road porpotion:15.5% Average GPR:2.2

Prevailing wind in Nov - Mar 2.1 2.1

2.1 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4

1.4

2.1

2.1 wind rose

2.1 3.5 2.1 3.5

Prevailing wind in Jun - Sep

Wind Analysis (Nov - Mar) Roads in the direction parallel to the prevailing wind can be used as ventilation corridor.

Shade Analysis

Overlay of the shade on 10am, 13pm, 17pm all year round

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ROAD TYPOLOGY BASED ON WIND AND SHADE

A E

D

B

C N 50 m

Type A

0

Type B

50m

WOONERF NORMAL STREET PAKR GAIZAOGUOHOU

Road direction is parallel to the prevailing wind.

There are not much shadow on the road.

Wind is blocked by the buildings.

There are a lot shadow on the road.

Type C

Type D

Road direction is parallel to prevailing wind.

Roads are near to the stream.

Road direction is parallel to prevailing wind.

Roads are near to the forest.

Type E

Road direction is not parallel to prevailing wind.

Roads are near to the forest.

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ROAD DESIGN PROPOSAL Type A

Keep more green volume and shaded area.

Type B

Type C

Type D

Type E

Vegetated swale induce evaporative cooling to the surrounding.

Micro topography based on existing topography are created to bring different air pressure and to create air flow.

Using water feature to create a linear park which provides more evaporative cooling and more interesting walking experience for people.

Provide shaded living streets which has less car getting through in order to decrease the impact on forest

Homezones and shaded street on the low vehicular speed permeable roads in order to minimize heat island effect.

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MASTERPLAN

Shaded Living Street

Street Cafe

Cool Mist Humidifier

Shaded Activity Space

Boardwalk

Linear Park

Vegetated Swale Shaded Garden

N 50 m

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PLANTING STRATEGY Providing Continuous Shaded Area

Inserting Food Resource for Fauna _Existing trees Acacia auriculiformis African tulip Adinandra dumosa Broad-leafed mahogany Samanea saman Dypsis leptocheilos Plumeria rubra _Canopy trees Acacia cincinnata Callerya atropurpurea Peltophorum pterocarpun Pterocarpus indicus Nephelium lappaceum Ficus variegata Ficus fistulosa Syzygium grande Terminilia catappa Calophylium putcherrimum Pellacalyx axillaris _Sub canopy trees Agerstroemia speciosa Cerbera manghas Hymenaea courbaril Pithecellobium dulce Syzygium zeylanicum _Shrubs Erythrina crista-galli Plumeria obtusa Leea indica Dillenia suffruticosa Mimosa pudica Ardisa eillptica

0

Targeting Fauna

Avi Animals

Chestnut-belied Malkoha

Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo

Straw Head Bulbul

Oriental Magpie-Robin Orange Belied Flowerpecker Red-legged Crake Emerald Dove

White-throated Kingfisher Hill Myn Spiderhunter

Rufous-tailed Tailorbird

Arboreal Animals

Plantain Squirrel

Long Tail Macaque

Band Leaf Monkey

Pollinator

_Grassland

Bats

_Stream

N

50

Butterfly

Bee

Attracting Species

_Forest Area

50 m

Leea indica Nephelium lappaceum Ficus fistulosa Ficus variegata Syzygium grande Terminalia catappa

Designed Treatment for Pedestrian Crossing

bus stop with green roof

planter box

Crossing on a speed bump

pervious material

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LINEAR PARK Broad walk Waterside canopy tree Calophylium Putcherrimum Syzygium grande Terminilia catappa Pellacalyx axillaris

Waterside sub-canopy tree Cerbera manghas Clappetonia ficifolia

Waterside shrub Leea indica Dillenia Suffruticosa Mimosa pudica

Existing tree Acacia auriauliformis African Tulip Adinandra dumosa

Existing stream Lentor Stream

N 50 m

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SHADED GARDEN

Before

Broad-leafed Mahogany Rain tree Dysis leptocheilos Plumeria rubra Drainage Traffic light Street lamp

N

Section A-Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Heat from sun Tree filter 35% shading

Acacia cincinnata Peltophorum pterocarpun Pterocarpus indicus

After

Piper aduncum Acacia mangium Pennisetum purpureum Panicum maximum Stachytarpheta indica Cerbera manghas Plumeria obtusa Dillenia suffruticosa Mimosa pudica Ardisia elliptica

N

Section B-Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Heat from sun Tree filter 70% shading

Heat from sun

Ornamental trees

Big canopy trees (provide continuous shade)

Shrubs

Plants with remediating properties (cleanse the water run off)

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RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN TAGORE FOREST Dai Junwei

Facing with loss of nature resource due to housing development on secondary forest in Singapore, we need to find the appropriate and sustainable way to utilize the resource.

These resources ought to be reused and adapted in the new development. The project aims to reuse site resources such as water, trees and soil and to recycle what is existing on the site rather than transporting large quantities of material in and out.

Firstly, in terms of planning the value of the two streams in site are reassessed and the Tagore stream will be naturalized based on the hydrological impact assessment. Some bioretention swales will be added in the low lying area along the stream as the main approach to utilize water. The valuable trees will be reserved as the main plantings in the residential park and other trees will be recycled as surface pavement material and playful structures.

The existing topography is utilized to design new road network, layout of buildings and topographic landscapes, which has minimum interverence to nature.

Secondly, one residential patch based on the planning area is selected to show how the resources can be fully utilized by phased landscape development combined with building construction. Layout of building is designed to minimize intervention of humans. Storm water can be stored and recycled for irrigation in the low lying area before being discharged into Tagore Stream. Excavated soil dug from the building foundation can shape the terrain of the low area to accommodate both storm water and human activities. Valuable trees are reserved as the ecological extension of the residential park while other trees are made into playful structures and wooden deck which fits the terrain.

This project hopes to give a new way to design high rise housing development on former secondary forest by resource management.

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TIME LINE OF URA PLANNING Waste of Resource

Build the park, plant the urban trees 2014 Launch master plan to public

2016 Start to clean part of the forest

Peak discharge

Total trees

2019 Finish clearing the land

2020 Construct the road, MRT, infrastructure

Landform

Maintext

7740m³/hr=4×

/hour

otal trees: 1456

3-times

25704m³/hr=12×

Total tree lost: 1250

/hour

Removed trees:

1456

Planted urban trees:

206

Deficit: 2120533m3 Topsoil lost: 60000m3 = 6000×

Is there a better way to develop the forest?

Excaved soil: 669867 m³=67000× Required fill: 2790400 m³=279040×

Strategy Water: Let the stormwater stay longer in the low area and slow down the speed of water in Tagore Stream while irrigating the vegetation in the condo.

Trees: Plan the layout of building to follow the location of trees and utilize other trees to be the material of playful facilities and pavement.

Land: Apply the core tube as the structure of the building to fit the topography and minimum the earthwork and utilize the excavation to shape the landscape terrain.

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HOW TO MANAGE WATER The Role of Streams in Tagore Forest

Water sources of two streams Tagore Stream has 4 managed sources however Lentor Stream has only 2 managed source, which means Tagore Stream is much more important than the Lentor Stream on the aspect of water connector due to its complicated structure.

Tagore Stream

Teachers` Housing Estate

Central catchment

Tagore RD

Forest

Lentor Stream

Yio Chu Kang RD

Forest, Yio Chu Kang RD and Teacher`s Estate

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HOW TO MANAGE WATER

Catchment of the Two Streams

According to the formula of the peak discharge calculation Q = c i A The peak discharge of Tagore is almost 2.6-times than that of Lentor. Because the catchment area of Tagore is 2.5-times than that of Lentor and the degree of slope in the catchment of Tagore is also much steeper than that of Lentor which effects the coefficient.

QTagore = 2.6 QLentor

Capacity of Flood Storage of the Two Streams Tagore Stream has stronger capacity of floud storage than Lentor Stream.The lowest area is just the place where 4 source finally join and the cancel of Lentor also will give a little burden to Tagore. It can be used as bioretention swales. The concret canal of up reach of Tagore should be naturalized and also planed a small pond in the junction of the three branches.

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HOW TO MANAGE TREES Reserved Trees on Steep Slopes

The dense secondary forest with high generation which is just on the slope near the lowest area should be reserved because of not only its high biodiversity but also its function of slope protection and its moisture content ability. Combined with the planned swale in this area, this place can be utilised as a rain garden serving the surrounding residential areas.

Recycle Wood from the Trees with Low Value There are about 1159 trees in total recycled to be used as material of playful facilities and pavement. These trees with little value are removed for housing devlopment although there are small part of sparse forest with high generation.Because some trees are even on the flat area which can be used as residential development.

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HOW TO MANAGE LAND Landuse Based on the Terrain

Flat areas without valued trees are used as development of residential areas and Flat areas with valued trees are used as biodiversity connectors. Slope areas without valued trees are modified for the mountainous residential area and slope areas with valued trees are reserved as part of residential park.

Road Network Based on the Terrain The road planning in Tagore Forest adapts to the terrain and connects the important surrounding infrastructure. The network can be divided into two categories based on the size. The maximum slope of main road, sencondary road is 7% and10% respectively.

Main road functions as the connector in landscape scale and secondary road connects different residential zones in the site.

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HOW TO MANAGE LAND

Cuts and Fills Based on the Terrain

The main area that need balanced eartwork is the east part of the forest where residential development is approriate to plan because of its â&#x20AC;&#x153;Vâ&#x20AC;? shape of section. So the slope can be adjusted to terrace based on the balanced earthwork.

Blalanced earthwork

DESIGN AREA

Selection of The Design Patch Water

Land

Tree

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LAYOUT OF BUILDINGS

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

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TREE MANAGEMENT

3D Green Mass

Recycled Trees

LAND MANAGEMENT Adjustment of topography

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MASTER PLAN

C D B

A

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A This large open space is a good green area for residents to gathering together where interpersonal relationship can be promoted psychologically with the comfortable green space.

B This place has two parts which are connect by wooden deck.

One is the area under the building where children can play without limit of weather.

The other is on the other side of stream where a big banyan tree can used as the playful facility.

C This place under the building is the transition area with dense vegetation between the condo and Tagore Stream, providing habitate connection between condo and Tagore Stream while providing privacy for the condo.

D This area is dense forest with high generation which is reserved together with the central froest, giving residents an ecological corridor to the central park.

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3-DIMENSIONAL DIAGRAM Structure of Building

Landscape

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TAGORE NEIGHBOURHOOD AS FOREST EDGE Amanda Jennifer Chandra

Recognising special qualities of Tagore neighbourhood as being surrounded by secondary forest, various potential and challenges are addressed in order to retrofit the neighbourhood to adapt into future deforestation and development scenario whereby the cost of deforesting can be compensated by landscape treatments on the existing neighbourhood.

Various strategies will be implemented to bring back the connection between human and nature. The first design strategy is to compensate the loss of forest by learning from the composition of the plants in Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary forest and applying similar forest composition as planting scheme in the neighbourhood. Some valuable and endangered forest species are introduced within the neighbourhood forest.

The second strategy is to retrofit existing building structures and re-design new housing typology to fit the context of forest edge. Light broad walk structures will be built to control and ease the circulation within the neighbourhood forest while easing the access for management. The broad walk will also subtly delineate the boundary between private backyard space and public area. Backyard decks are built to facilitate backyard domestic activities on landed housing while the residents can enjoy their backyard forest at the same time. Rooftop connectors are added to facilitate domestic activities and rooftop leisure activities on condominium. New housing typology is constructed while respecting the existing maturing forest.

The third design strategy is combining design with peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s management, in which the residents can actively taking care and manage the forest while they are doing their domestic activities every day. Sustainable living is introduced by the forest nursery management scheme in which the residents can enjoy the product of their backyard forest garden.

All design strategies are to be designed with time. Re-development phases will be planned for the planting, rebuilding, and management activities in the process of retrofitting the neighbourhood.

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EXISTING SITE CONDITION

SITE 01: Landed housing - Forest edge

N 50 m

SITE 02: Condominium - Forest edge

Fence 2 - storey landed house 3 - storey landed house Semi-detached landed house Condominium Shophouse Grass turf Scrubland Canal and drains Swimming pool

PLANTED VEGETATION Gardening plants Street planting Mahogany

Carpark FENCE TYPE Concrete See-through

FOREST SPECIES Exotic Pioneer: Acacia auriculiformis Paraserianthes falcataria (Albizia) Spathodea campanulata (A.Tulip) Native Pioneer: Adinandra dumosa Campnosperma auriculatum Macaranga Fruit Tree: Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit) Averrhoa carambola (Starfruit) Bouea macrophylla (Rambai)

Late Succesional Secondary Forest: Ficus religiosa (Bodhi tree) Ficus variegata (Red-stem Fig) Ficus microcarpa (Banyan) Alangium ridleyi (Heritage tree) Horsfieldia polyspherula (Wild Nutmeg) Syzygium grande Terminalia catappa Others: Bamboo Samanea saman (Rain tree)

Durio zibethinus (Durian) Nephelium lappaceum (Rambutan) Mangifera indica (Mango) Musa acuminata (Banana)

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SITE 01

N

10 m

Hardscape: Fence Concrete floor Flat roof Tile roof

SITE 02

Softscape: Grass turf Scrubland Canal and drains Swimming pool Activities: Carpark Cooking / BBQ Laundry Storage Sitting area Playground Backyard access Planted vegetation: Gardening plants Street planting

N

10 m

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RESIDENTIAL - FOREST EDGE STUDY EDGE 1 | Landed housing - Forest edge open backyard garden

back door

back door and staircase

backyard seating area

op

back door and staircase

back door gardening pots back door and staircase and stairc

EDGE 2 | Landed housing - Forest edge

bird cage

open backyard garden

open backyard garden

EDGE 3 | Landed housing - Forest edge

clothes drying area

outdoor seating are

EDGE 6 | Condominium - Forest edge side door forest

road

pedestrian walkway

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EDGE 4 | Condominium - Forest edge open backyard garden hedge and fence

back door ck door back door and staircase d staircase and staircase

backyard seating area

slope

open backyard garden

grassland

open backyard garden

EDGE 5 | Condominium - Forest edge forest ornamental planting

fence

internal road

1

5

outdoor seating area

6

4

3

2

clothes drying area

Various activities done by the residents on the forest edge showing the desire of the residents to reach more into the forest and interact with nature. Extensive gardening activities is one clear example whereby some backyard gardening areas extend from directly outside the fence to the fringe of the forest. Other domestic activities such as laundry, BBQ, backyard sitting are mostly kept within the back fence. Some houses also have backyard doors and staircases to gain easier access to the forest.

Condominium compound is always bounded with fencing and hedges that block the view into the forest and become physical boundary with surrounding nature. The existence of roads further add to this divide.

There is a need for connection to soften the boundaries between inside and outside of condominium compound.

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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND FOREST Interview Result

Activities around or inside Tagore forest

Out of 76% of the activities, only 7% of the interviewee really go inside the forest and gather free fruits such as durians. The rest of the activities are on the edge of the forest, making use of the surrounding nature as the backdrop of their activities.

BUILDING TYPOLOGY 2-storey landed house 3-storey landed house Semi-detached landed house Condominium Shophouse

LANDSCAPE TYPE Canal and drains The hill

Favourite landscapes on Tagore neighbourhood

Most of the interviewee love the hill as they can do various activities there. The hill is pretty much accessible. People also like forest landscape even though only few of them really go inside the forest due to inaccessibility problem.

GATHERING FRUITS INSIDE THE FOREST: FRUIT TREE LOCATION Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit) Averrhoa carambola (Starfruit) Bouea macrophylla (Rambai) Durio zibethinus (Durian) Nephelium lappaceum (Rambutan) Mangifera indica (Mango) Musa acuminata (Banana)

Tall grassland and scrubland ACTIVITIES AROUND THE FOREST Gardening plants Sitting Exercising (fitness area) Dog-walking Jogging and walking

N 50 m

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STRATEGY 1

Recreating Forest in the Neighbourhood CASE STUDY: 2 HECTARE FOREST PLOT IN BUKIT TIMAH PRIMARY FOREST

Ridge line Valley line Dry upper slope Moist lower slope Emergent (>30m) Upper canopy (15 - 30m) Sub-canopy (5-15m) Light demanding species

APPLYING SIMILAR PLANTING SCHEME INTO THE SITE

PLANTING PALETTE: ENDANGERED FOREST SPECIES EMERGENT:

EMERGENT:

UPPERCANOPY:

UPPERCANOPY:

SUB CANOPY:

SUB CANOPY: SHRUB: UPPERCANOPY:

EVENLY DISTRIBUTED

SUB CANOPY:

SHRUB:

Source: LaFrankie, J. V. (2005). Forest trees of Bukit Timah: Population ecology in a tropical forest fragment. Singapore: Simply Green.

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STRATEGY 2

2a. Retrofitting Existing Structures 2b. Re-designing New Housing Typology to Fit Forest Edge Context

SITE 01: Landed housing - Forest edge

Rooftop living - experiencing tree canopy

N 50 m

SITE 02: Condominium - Forest edge

VALUABLE FOREST SPECIES EMERGENT (>30m) Shorea curtisii Dipterocarpus caudatus

Alangium ridleyi

Hopea griffithii

Ficus vasculosa

Shorea ochrophloia UPPER CANOPY (15 - 30m)

Pellacalyx axillaris

species found in Tagore forest

SUB CANOPY (5 - 15m)

Madhuca kingiana

Ardisia teysmanniana

Calophyllum wallichianum

Urophyllum hirsutum

Litsea accedens

Knema laurina

Canarium pilosum

PLANTED FRUIT TREE UPPER CANOPY (15 - 30m)

UPPER CANOPY (15 - 30m) Cyathocalyx sumatranus

SUB CANOPY (5 - 15m) Averrhoa carambola Nephelium lappaceum Syzygium malaccense

Gaertnera grisea

Ficus microcarpa Baccaurea sumatrana Popowia tomentosa Artocarpus scortechinii Pellacalyx saccardianus

SHRUB (0 - 5m) Angiopteris evecta Cyathea latebrosa

Artocarpus heterophyllus Bouea macrophylla Durio zibethinus Mangifera indica Artocarpus integer Baccaurea motleyana Gnetum gnemon Garcinia mangostana

species found in Tagore forest

Ground cover Rooftop activities deck and circulation Private jogging track Public jogging track Private circulation Swimming pool Playground Green roof Party deck

Private forest gardening area Managed public forest

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SITE 01 3

1

4

1

2

5

N

10 m

1. Forest track 2. New housing typology 3. Reforested scrubland 4. Matured fruit tree in the forest 5. Preserved landscape: open hill 6. 4th storey tree top walk 7. Central gathering area

SITE 02

1 6 7

7

N

10 m

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STRATEGY 2a | SITE 1

Retrofitting Existing Structures: Integrating Forest Nursery with Landed House

Dipterocarp species on front yard

Dipterocarp species on backyard

Fruit tree integrated within forest nursery

FOREST NURSERY ON THE BACKYARD

Public circulation Private circulation on broadwalk, on broadwalk separated with Forest canopy small gate from species the private broadwalk

Valuable fern species to be propagated

Kitchen connected to backyard

Front yard: some forest nursery and ornamental species of choice

Backyard deck to host various domestic activities such as laundry, BBQ, outdoor sitting and dining area. The de-fencing makes backyard domestic activities to be more integrated with the forest.

Site 1 key plan

Bac

DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE YEAR 0: 1. Planting pioneer seedlings 2. Planting emergent species seedlings 3. Planting fruit tree seedlings 4. Building broadwalk & structures

YEAR 10: 1. Planting upper canopy seedlings 2. Planting of elephantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foot fern & tree fern

At year 20: Planted at year 0

Emergent species: Dipterocarp

Planted at year 10

Pioneer: Macaranga

Angiopteris evecta

10 m

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Various Activities along Backyard Nursery and Forest Edge

Forest nursery

Backyard deck

Jogging track into the forest PUBLIC

PRIVATE

YEAR 25: 1. Planting sub-canopy seedlings 2. Valuable ferns are ready to be propagated 3. Some fruit trees are ready to be harvested and propagated 4. Propagated product from the forest nursery can be used by the residents to be planted in their front yard.

YEAR 50 - FUTURE 1. Thinning of mature pioneer trees 2. Propagation of dipterocarps through seeds and saplings.

3. Transplanting other seedlings for various purpose.

4. Some dipterocarps seedlings can be used in Tagore forest for reforestation.

At year 60: Planted at year 0

Planted at year 10

Planted at year 25 and above

10 m

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STRATEGY 2b | SITE 1

Re-designing New Housing Typology to Fit Forest Edge Context

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STRATEGY 2a | SITE 2

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STRATEGY3

Forest Nursery Management - Domestication of Forest Species

Planting other other fruit fruit trees trees Planting Planting valuable valuable Planting or or ornamental ornamental trees trees of of fern fern species species choice choice for for self-sufficiency self-sufficiency underneath underneath the the shade shade of of biggertrees biggertrees

Planting Planting of of sub-canopy sub-canopy species species

Brought Brought to to other other area area for for various various other other uses uses e.g e.g planting planting elephantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elephantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foot foot fern fern to to re-establish re-establish vulnerble vulnerble ferns ferns in in their their original original habitat. habitat.

Planted Planted for for reforestation reforestation in in Tagore Tagore forest forest e.g. e.g. on on areas areas covered covered by by dying dying mature mature pioneer pioneer trees trees 145

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Images are taken from Nature Society (Singapore) Report, Nature Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Position on Lentor (Tagore) Forest, April 2016

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INSERTED URBAN GREENERY AS LOCAL HABITATS Bai Zhuhui

Tagore forest has a rich history, from village to plantation and then to secondary forest. It supports 94 animal species. With urban sprawl, would those valuable animal be isolated and homeless? The project, themed “reducing urban context gaps for animal movements”, proposes a framework of improved urban context which qualify with high standard to have dynamic animal movements.

Five issues are highlighted. Firstly, while regarding Singapore as one green system, Tagore forest is isolated. In small scale, though locates well, Tagore Forest does not have a strong connection with surrounding green spaces. Also, animal’s movements and habitats would be affected by the shrinking of forest and development of urban area. Urban context could provide potential habitats and be stepping stones. On the other hand, it can also create many barriers for animal movement. Last but not the least, balancing human and animals needs is also a critical problem during the process.

In order to solve the problems listed above, three strategies are used: 1. Aggregating available open spaces. This will be achieved by creating multiple functional zone within existing driveway system and also designing new house entrances. 2. Inserting local habitats in managed environment by designing new vegetation layers and utilize vertical structures such as fences and walls. Meanwhile, green roof is also a recommendable approach. 3. Proposing new housing landscape typology to support continuous growth of nature. This strategy would achieved based on setting up the link between front yard and street greenery, backyard and drainage.

During the process, solving urban potential problems for animal movement is the core of the design. A win-win situation for both human and animals’ movement is the goal to achieve.

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EXISTING URBAN GREENERY Urban Greenery Typologies

50 m

Tagore forest

30 Hectare

Private Green Spaces

2.3 Hectare

Public Green Spaces

N

2.9 Hectare

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SITE FENCE ANALYSIS Urban Managed Enviroment

Solid fence Fence with gaps 50 m

N

SITE TREE ANALYSIS Urban Managed Enviroment

Fruit tree Flowering tree Others 50 m

N 149

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ANIMAL MOVEMENTS AND HABITATS Tagore Forest Animals

Straw - headed bulbul Banded leaf moneky Giant asian river frog Red-legged crake Painted bronzeback snake Sunda pangolin Pangolin Blue-eared kingfisher Slow loris Softshell turtle White rumped shama

Animal Movements and Habitats

100m

100 m

N

ANIMAL DISTRIBUTION MAP Tagore Forest Animals

Softshell Turtle Maximum Dispersal Distance:75m

Painted Bronzeback Snake Maximum Dispersal Distance:150m

Pangolin

Common Birdwing Maximum Dispersal Distance:5000 m White Rumped Shama Maximum Dispersal Distance:30m

Giant Asian River Frog Maximum Dispersal Distance:100m

Band Leaf Monkey Maximum Dispersal Distance:>300m

Sunda Pangolin Maximum Dispersal Distance:1000 m

100 m

N

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EXISTING ANIMAL MOVEMENTS

Tagore Forest

Tall Grassland Sparse Forest

Dense Forest & Tall Grass Scrubland

Aquatic

Sparse Forest & Disturbed Area

Changeable hawk eagle

Chestnut-bellied malkoha

Red-legged crake

Dense Forest

Square-tailed drongo-cuckoo Oriental pied hornbill

Straw head bulbul

White-throated kingfisher

Crimson sunbird

Orange bellied flowerpecker White rumped shama Common emerald dove

Oriental magpie-robin

Antigonon leptopus Oncosperma horrindum

Averrhoa carambola

Alstonia angustiloba

Cinnamomum iners

Macaranga griffithiana Cinnamomum iners

Caryota mitis

Claoxylon indicum

Hevea brasiliensis

Musa acuminata

Common plam civet Sunda pangolin

Long-tailed macaque Painted bronzeback

Slow loris

Banded leaf monkey Green creasted lizard

Softshell turtle

Malayan giant frog

Wild pig

Durio zibethinus Manihot esculenta Artocarpus heterophyllus Kyllinga brevifolia

Manihot esculenta Colocasia esculenta Spathodea campanulata

Angiopteris evecta

Alangium ridleyi Pennisetum purpureum

Urban

Source From : Flora Fauna Web. (n.d.). Retrieved September 08, 2016, from https://florafaunaweb.nparks.gov. sg/Home.aspx B. (n.d.). Animals that visit the durian tree, Durio zibethinus. Retrieved September 08, 2016, from http://www.besgroup.org/2014/05/01/animals-thatvisit-the-durian-tree-durio-zibethinus/ Refer. (n.d.). Retrieved September 08, 2016, from http://refer.dnzhishi.com/news/2015/0423/277674. html Bird Ecology Study Group, Nature Society (Singapore). (n.d.). Retrieved September 08, 2016, from http://besgroup.blogspot.sg/2007/01/breedingecology-of-little-tern-6.html Simpoh air (Dillenia suffruticosa) on the Shores of Singapore. (n.d.). Retrieved September 08, 2016, from http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/plants/ others/dillenia/suffruticosa.htm

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BARRIERS EVALUATION Urban Barriers for Birds

Barries degree Weak

Strong 50 m

N

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Urban Barriers for Ground Animals

Barries degree Weak

Strong 50 m

N 153

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MASTERPLAN

A

B

C

G

H

F I

J

K

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D

E

50 m

A. Exising park B. Exising shopping area C. Green corner------bird habitat D. Green strip ------animal corridor E. Green island ------animal corridor F. Proposed street G. Green roof H. Apartment green roof I . Road - side animal corridor J. Apartment context greenery K. animal corridor

50 m

N

H. Apartment green roof I . Road - side animal corridor J. Apartment context greenery K. animal corridor

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STRATEGY 1

Aggregating Available Open Space

Existing Condition

Existing Condition 50 m

Existing Condition

50 m

Existing Condition

12m driveway 2m drainage 2m new animal path

Proposed

6m clear access of fire trunk 0.7m Semi Green 0.8m Sharing walkway 3m clear access of cars “Monkey ‘s food“ “Monkey ‘s bridge“

“Monkey ‘s food“ Butterfly garden

“Monkey ‘s bridge“ Buffer

Bird nesting tree

Proposed

0.7m Semi Greewalkway 0.8m Sharing walkway 3m clear access of cars

6m driveway

Proposed Plan

Proposed Plan

Existing Condition

Potted plants occupy both sidewalk and flowering bed

10 m 2m drainage 2m new animal path Fruit tree in garden Greenroof

Proposed 6m driveway Fruit tree at street

Fruit tree at street Buffer Buffer

Proposed Plan

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STRATEGY 2

Inserting Local Habitats in Managed Enviroment

New wet green animal path Green Crested Lizard White Rumped Shama Straw headed bulbul Red Legged Crake Frog Turtle

Bio-soil to support plants Gravel

Rain Runoff

Drianage

Shrub layer needed animals Green Crested Lizard White Rumped Shama Slow Loris Sunda Pangolin Red Legged Crake Long-tailed Parakeet Frog , Snail. Squirell.

Hide and nesting area

Nesting area

Noise Transportation/ Human

Fruit Tree

Buffer Tree

Private garden night noisy

Buffer Tree

Slow Loris 1. Nocturnal animal noisy For slow loris, planting design would be at least one row of buffer 2. Stiff competition from arboreal monkeys trees along private garden to prevent monkey from noise and in areas where the two overlap. make them feel safe. Another row of buffer trees needed along 3. Poisonous teeth driveway to reduce human contact with it. Fruit tree would be in the center.

Banded leaf Monkey 1. Travel to the best places for food.

2. Diet consists of fresh immature leaves, forest fruits and seeds such as rambutan.

3. Arboreal lifestyle.

4. Shy in nature of which they hardly come to the ground Fruit Tree

in ar

Sh g

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Fruit Tree Buffer Tree Canopy Tree

Noise Transportation Buffer Tree

Private garden Daytime Quiet

Canopy Tree

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WILDLIFE MOVEMENTS

Shrub & Drainage Greenery Related Movements

Private Garden Related Movements

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Tree & Greenroof Related Movements_ Birds

Tree & Greenroof Related Movements_ Ground Animals

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STRATEGY 3

New Housing Landscape Typology

Greenroof possiblility

Garden vegetations. Garden vegetations would be used as supplement of street corridors.

Green-roof . Instead of asthetic use, this green roof would focus on provide birds food and resting places. It is more for animals.

Living hedge .

Drianage greenery .

Butterfly garden .This garden would attract butterflies and bees. It also works as a hiding and feeding place for small animals and birds.

House type 1: Front yard + side yard + back yard

Front door fence. Front door hedge could be climbering plants, green hedges and also potted plants.

Drianage greenery .

Green-roof. It is more for animals. In this type, green-roof could act as a bridge to link front yard and back yard.

Butterfly garden/ Bee Garden.

Side-yard . Side yard link front yard and back yard directly.

Front door fence. Front door hedge could be climbering plants, green hedges and also potted plants.

House type 2: Two side yard + front yard + back yard

Street Trees / vegetations. Street trees are designed according to animal needs.

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INTERWOVEN WATERSCAPE OF TAGORE FOREST ESTATE Wu Yitong

Located nearby the Central Water Catchment and 1-mile west-south of the Seletar Reservoir, two precious fresh water streams in Tagore forest was historically connected to mangrove swamp of the Seletar Reservoir in 1940s. With the rapid human development over 70 years, the connection with reservoir was cut and partial of nature streams were canalized. According to the new development plan of URA, the major patch of the Tagore forest will be converted into residential district and the nature streams will be gone before new canal construction. Consequently, the ecological corridor connection via Tagore forest will be broken and large amount of runoff will increase drastically.

Design Intent To solve the conflicts between nature preservation and urban development, this project aims to express and highlight natural processes and dynamics through landscape design intervention.

1.Managing increased runoff and improving the water quality with new development.

Based on the ecological principles and current situation of site, this project partitions the conversed area of forest and new development area, on the scenario of which increased runoff is calculated as a demand of water design. New water detention area is design for storm water management and buffer zone of soft scape is design to improve the water quality.

2.Reconnecting the ecological corridor and regenerating habitats for wildlife.

Existing concrete drainages and canal are naturalized to develop a continuous water habitat for wildlife. Different types of habitat are designed to attract target species and to direct the wildlife movement.

3.Creating more interaction between human and nature.

To enhance the nature exploration and recreation experience of people, visitors are encouraged to access part of habitats to see wildlife and different types of nature landscape.

Existing urban park is redesigned to be a more nature-like and multifunctional spot for residents to explore nature. Ev more, new streams are inserted into both existing and newdevelop residential area so that people could observe nature dynamic in their daily life.

The design demonstrates the strong capability of landscape intervention that can solve the conflicts between nature preservation and urban development.

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HISTORICAL HYDROLOGY CONNECTION

Reference: Map Resourse Unit.Department of Geograph Resources

SOCIAL AND ECOLOGICAL VALUE OF NATURE STREAM

CHARACTERISTIC OF NATURE STREAM Lentor Stream

Lentor Stream

Ficus variegata Elaeis guineensis

Elaeis guineensis Iguanura geonomiformis Dracaena fragrans

Angiopteris evecta Spathodea campanulata A Areca catechu

Aglaonema commutatum Areca catechu B

Caryota mitis Caryota mitis

Hevea brasiliensis

Leea umbraculifera

Elaeocarpus mastersii

B

Plan A

Spotted House Gecko(WC)

Plan A

Angiopteris evecta

Wild Pig(RC)

Areca catechu

Dracaena fragrans

Caryota mitis

Copper-cheeked Frog(RC)

Aglaonema commutatum

Solfshell Turtle

Tagore Stream Stream Tagore Plan C

Fishing Gardening

Horsfieldia polyspherula Indochinese SpoGed Barb(WC)

Pellacalyx axillaris Durio zibethinus

A

Nature loverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s track

A-A Section

B-B Section

Plan B

Dieffenbachia amoena Asplenium longissimum Pennisetum purpureum

C

Long-tailed Macaque(WC) D

Malayan Giant Frog(RC) Pennisetum purpureum Dieffenbachia amoena

Musa acuminata Dieffenbachia amoena Pennisetum purpureum Bamboo

Musa acuminata

C-C Section Painted Bronzeback(WC) Asian Toad(WC)

D

Caryota mitis E

Common Treeshrew(WC)

C

Plan B

Bamboo

Caryota mitis

Pennisetum purpureum E

Plan C

Areca catechu

Masked Rough-sided Frog(RU)

E-E Section

D-D Section

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STORMWATER MANAGEMENT DEMAND OF SITE

100 m

WATERSCAPE TYPOLOGIES ANALYSIS OF SITE

100 m

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WATERSCAPE TYPOLOGIES ANALYSIS OF SITE

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STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND WATERSCAPE TRANSITION

100 m

N

Flooding Area

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

N 50 m

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HABITAT DESIGN

N 50 m

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WILDLIFE MOVEMENT AND HUMAN ACTIVITY ARRANGEMENT

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MASTERPLAN

Part 1 The entrance of Tagore Stream This part demonstrates the design strategy of naturalizing concrete drainage and canal as well as design habitats to attract target species and direct the wildlife movement.

13

Part 2 This part demonstrates the design strategy of increasing water detention area and reserving buffer zone of soft scape.

Part 3 This part demonstrates the design strategy of redesigning urban park for residents to create more interaction between human and nature.

Part 4

N 50 m

0

12

This part demonstrates the design strategy of inserting new stream into existing and new residential area to create more interaction between human and nature.

50m

11

10

1

Strating Point of Nature stream

2

Wetland Swamp Platform

3

Stair of Entrance

4

Nature Stream in Exsiting Housing Area

5

Waterfront Park

6

Aquatic Farming

7

Dense Forest Habitat

8

Grassland&Wetland

9

8

9 Large Pond 10 Nature Stream in New Housing Area 11 Fishing Deck 12 Boardwalk 13 Exit

3

7

6

2

4 5

1

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PART 1——THE ENTRANCE OF TAGORE STREAM Naturalizing Concrete Drainage

N 30 m

PART 2——THE MAIN WATERBODY AREA Increasing Water Detention Area Dry Season

N 50 m

Rainy Season

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PART 3——THE WATERFRONT URBAN PARK Redesigning Urban Park for Residents

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PART 4——NEW WATERSCAPE IN HOUSING AREA Inserting Nature Stream into Existing Residential Area

N

50 m

Inserting Nature Stream into New Residential Area

N

50 m

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REFLECTIONS

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This landscape-oriented studio offers a vibrant take on designing our project with an ecological goal in mind. We were taught to survey the forest, gather data and analyze the site in great detail. I was intrigued by the marvels of nature and how the tiniest details that we had uncovered about the forest could eventually be translated into our design proposal.

The academic journey started off with rigorous research and analytical thinking, and ended with an evaluative process of designing the outcome of the landscape of the Tagore forest after a presumable number of years. All in all, the landscape studio has served as a good foundation for students to build a knowledge on the landscape of Singapore, and I am excited about the future opportunities that is to come in the landscape studios following after.

Sun Hao Jen Ashley

The studio offered me a fresh perspective about the way to think and design. During the semester, I realized that reasonable design is based on fully analysis of the site, and the project should be progressed in steps. I learned that logical thinking and clear mind is necessary for a landscape architect. I used to focus on the superflous aspects instead of the site’s unique attributes, now I find there are a lot things should be carefully considered. Our tutor taught me to “Make it more complex”, and this is the way to learn.

After this semester, I strive to improve to get better and further in next semester.

Yan Ran

This semester’s studio is really an enjoyable learning experience for me. Not only the we managed to have hands-on learning by exploring the forest, we also got lots of input from various guests that kindly spared their time to teach us various knowledge based on their areas of expertise. It may be a tough journey. However, this studio has been successful in imparting the basic knowledge about ecology, which is something necessary for designing in Landscape Architecture field. This is just the first step for my studio mates and me. I hope that we will keep learning more in the future!

Amanda Jennifer Chandra

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Before this studio, I designed and planned the circulation for human, animals and habitats as only decorations in renderings. I did not consider the welfare of the animals until I encountered this project. It was like treasure hunting, and animalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; movements were my treasures hidden in the urban context. It is difficult to assess whether the animals would enjoy their new urban adventures, as I attempted to reduce barriers faced by them. I enjoyed the times when I designed for those cute living things and it felt like I was the heroine who could largely improve the living standards of animals. I am proud. I gained a lot of knowledge about monkeys, birds, and their habitats. Moreover, this ecological thinking process could be applied to my future designs.

Bai Zhuhui

This first MLA studio gave me a completely different view towards landscape architecture.

Firstly, on the aspect of learning object, the core of the studio focuses on the ecological design which is a new field to me compared with my postgraduate research of contemporary landscape in China. Facing with loss of nature resource due to housing development on secondary forest in Singapore, I learned how to minimize the impact of human to environment to get a harmonious relationship between them through resource management.

Moreover, on the aspect of learning, the skill of thinking critically is required to support every proposed idea. The process of design inconsists of sufficient research, essay reading or site research is more important than the outcome. Lastly, the skill of my presentation improved significantly. I hope these gains will become a stepping stone for exploring more in my future study.

Dai Junwei

Exploring in the Tagore forest is really an adventure for me. I am inspired to think that we should take the responsibility to highlight the ecological value and conserve for the biodiversity of the forest through our design. In the design process, besides hearing the advice from the different experts, I have learned to combine ecological principles as well as apply Geodesign methods to make my design more convincing. The communication with our tutors also taught me a lesson that how to think is more important than what to think. I would require critical thinking and presentation skills to improve and sell my design in the future. The topic of this semester is a great example of illustrating that as the relationship between nature and human development becomes increasingly tense, we still could find a balance between them with our landscape design intervention.

Wu Yitong

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Student Editors Chang Mei Fen Pearlyn Liu Yu Qian Xuanyu Chen Wei Wang Chao Chao Chia Ming Kuang Nur Afiqah Bte Agus Copyright © 2016 Hwang Yun Hye (ed.)

ISBN: 978-981-11-1954-5

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