Master thesis by Sara Amanda Westergaard Bruun by Sara Amanda Westergaard Bruun

The rail trail Tiělù bùdào

Transformation of a cultural landscape in Singapore

30 ECTS Master Thesis in Landscape Architecture and City Planning Autumn 2014 Sara Amanda Westergaard Bruun vkb604 Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management University of Copenhagen Supervisor: Peter Lundsgaard Hansen Co-supervisor: Anna Aslaug Lund

“In the end, our society will be defined not only by what we create, but by what we refuse to destroy” John C. Sawhill

singapore | singapore

preface Singapore is an independent city-state in Southeast Asia. It lies just underneath the southern tip of Malaysia and 137 kilometres north of the equator. The island is 700 square kilometres, a little bigger than the Danish island Bornholm, and highly urbanised. With a population just under five million, Singapore is a very multicultural city. Most of the citizens are originally from China but there are also many from India, Malaysia and Indonesia. More than 110,000 citizens are expatriates mostly from Europe, Australia, and the United States.* I have had the chance to live in Singapore for the last two years as an expat. My stay in this overwhelming city-state has taught me a lot about the challenges in an Asian mega-city where every square meter counts in the overall planning aspect due to the increasing density and limited space. Furthermore it has allowed me to develop my landscape architectural competencies in an international perspective. As a student from Denmark, where culture and history is of such a great value that it is sometimes hard to introduce new architectural agendas, it has been interesting to experience a country undergoing an extremely rapid transformation. In developing the city, cultural heritage and genius loci have been ignored with new architecture driven instead by property speculation and the desire for commercial and iconic mega malls. This leaves a need to reintroduce local culture, history and identity in the comprehensive planning of the city. This thesis began when I stumbled upon an advertisement for a half marathon called â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Green Corridor Runâ&#x20AC;?. I could not believe that Singapore had a contiguous green area long enough to host a run of this size. My curiosity was aroused and I began my research. I found the historical reason why this huge area remains undeveloped in such a highly urbanised city, why the future of the area is still uncertain, and I identified the difficult questions of how to preserve local history in a rapidly transforming city. This thesis is just a step along the way and an example of how you can transform and preserve with the genius loci in mind and still meet the challenges of tomorrow. This thesis of 30 ECTS credits is created within the field of landscape architecture as my final project of my masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree at the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management at University of Copenhagen in Denmark. A special thanks to my main supervisor Peter Lundsgaard Hansen for an inspiring supervision even from abroad. Thank you also to my co-supervisor Anna Aslaug Lund who has come up with interesting and new views on the project when needed. Last but not least a special thanks to William Murrils for proofreading of the thesis.

*https://.mom.gov.sg

abstract This thesis proposes a strategy and plan for the area of an abandoned railway line of 26 kilometres cutting across Singapore. The railway line was built during British colonial rule in the early 1900s to ferry steel, tin, cement, rubber and eventually also passengers from the Malay peninsula to the port of Singapore in the south. After the closure of the railway in 2011, an open ideas competition of how to rethink the railway was launched. Yet the government is still waiting for the perfect solution of how to transform the area. Singapore is an independent island in Southeast Asia and ranks among the most densely populated countries in the world. The trend of population growth is set to continue in the immediate future so Singapore has to face the challenges associated with this. For example, there is a risk there will be a lack of nature and green spaces, since many of these areas are threatened by the massively growing built-up cityscape. Like the rest of the world Singapore is also threatened by future climate changes which will cause rising sea levels and increased rainfall. While Singapore does have an extremely developed network of concrete canals and reservoirs, they are not dimensioned for these future rainfalls which could lead to flooding - a serious future risk for Singapore. The project revolves around three key problem areas. Firstly the project seeks to investigate how a former infrastructural site, like a railway track, with a significant cultural history can be improved by both restoration and transformation and how the genius loci of the site can be visually told. Secondly the project shows how a natural hidden-gem can be transformed into a recreational green corridor. This happens by realising the natural potential through emphasizing and restorating the green structures and landscape patches of the site. Thirdly the project seeks to contribute to the growing field in Singapore of how to use future climate changes and increases in rainfall intensities as a design tool. The project will contain examples of how to address the flooding challenge by integrating storm water management in the structure of the historical railway landscape. The objective of the thesis is to assess the three problems mentioned above and create a proposal for the abandoned railway line. This proposal utilises the natural and historical values of the the site, and turns them into a trail for the residents of Singapore to enjoy. The overall intervention is minimal, since the idea is to conceive the conditions for experiencing the existing landscape and the cultural history through restoration, transformation and emphasizing the siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s potentials. Most of the trail comprises of the existing manmade path as it appears today. In addition, discrete architectural elements have been added as a new feature. These elements occur at different places along the trail and consist of: viewing platforms that emphasize existing scenic views; pavilions with a visual nod to the local architecture style and former stations; and scattered concrete sleepers to make visitors aware of the rich history of the site as a railway line. The proposal draws on six chosen sites, where a further detailed design has been made. The six landscapes are all unique and offer different landscape qualities and experiences. They address the three key problems and are great examples of how - in the context of the race for internationalization and highspeed urbanisation between Asian mega-cities - Singapore faces its challenges while preserving its unique history and identity.

table of contents

INTRODUCTION Singapore The Green Corridor Photos of the Green Corridor Singapore and stom water

13 15 16 18

PROPOSAL Vision and Strategy Defining Project Areas The Six Landscapes Actions

PROGRAMME Problem definition Thesis objective and vision Limitations Method of research

23 25 27 27

FURNITURE AND MATERIALS Path 66 Pavilions 67 Viewing Platforms 68 Lights 69

ANALYSIS Park Connections Housing and Transportation Topography and Water Stakeholders

30 32 34 36

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT Historical Link Milestone Historical Landmarks Cultural History Voices from the past

41 42 44 46 48

TRANSFORMATION

58 60 62 63

THE SIX LANDSCAPES Bukit Timah Railway Station 73 Tanjong Pagar Railway Station 81 Bukit Timah Nature Reserve 89 Clementi Forest 97 Kranji Mangrove 105 Pang Sua Canal 113

SUMMARY

120

REFERENCES

122

introduction singapore and the green corridor

33.90 km

53.32 km Total = 710 km2

tĂş | diagrams

1980

1990

2000

4,02 mio

2012

5,31 mio

3,04 mio 2,4 mio

Density = 7,315/km2

singapore Many of the key cities in Asia are experiencing high-speed urbanisation and have population densities of 2,000 to 12,000 persons per square kilometre. Singapore is one such city.* With more than 5 million people perched on 710 square kilometres of land, Singapore ranks among the most densely populated countries in the world, and the trend of population growth is set to continue in the immediate future. Imagine if all Danes were squeezed onto the island of Bornholm, and you will probably get the same feeling of density.** Singapore therefore has a significant challenge. As a small island its size is limited so developing the city is a difficult problem. The need to create a liveable highdensity city here is not a “nice-to-have” but an essential matter of survival. One out of many problems related to the increasing density is the lack of nature and green spaces. Many of these areas are threatened by the rapidly growing built-up cityscape, which furthermore creates the challenge of managing rainwater in a concrete jungle. More runoff is generated and it flows faster into the drainage system instead of being a pleasant and sustainable feature. Therefore, the government now aims to turn Singapore into “a city in a garden”. Blending nature into the city helps soften the hard edges of a highly built-up cityscape. It provides residents with pockets of respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life. The government wants the future Singapore to have many parks scattered across neighbourhoods and water bodies to run through the city forming an important part of the landscape. Like every other city, Singapore has many parcels of land adjoining, in between, or surrounding the infrastructure and development sites. These areas are often dead spaces, which are a luxury the government cannot afford to waste, in a city where every square meter counts. By rethinking of how these “unused” spaces can be used for recreational activities, Singapore can redefine the concept of what is usable space. The city can create more park areas and water bodies, ultimately increasing the land available to meet the lifestyle needs of residents. This will not only be aesthetically pleasing, but will also improve the air quality and offer respite from the harsh heat of the tropical sun.

*“10 Principles for Liveable High-Density Cities - Lessons from Singapore” ** http://www.denstoredanske.dk

dĂŹtĂş | map

The Green Corridor is shown as a white shape cutting across the island from north to south

The green corridor One of these nearly hidden kind of parcels runs about 26 kilometres and cuts across the island from the southern tip to northern border with Malaysia. The parkland is known among residents, as the Green Corridor. It is a former railway line with quite a complex history, which explains why the site has stayed out of developer’s hands for some time. The railway was built during British colonial rule in the early 1900s to ferry steel, tin, cement and rubber from the Malay Peninsula to the Singapore port in the south. Singapore was a key distribution and collection point for British Malaya and the wider region of Southeast Asia. The railway was under Malaysian control and remained that way following the 1965 division of Singapore and Malaysia, as part of a separation agreement. It was not until 2010 that the countries finalized a land swap in which the rail corridor was transferred back to Singapore. Malaysia agreed to move and terminate train operation from July 2011 in return for six plots of land in Singapore. The trail then opened to the public in 2012 after the tracks had been removed - they had to be returned to Malaysia as part of the land-swap agreement. The corridor itself is now just a dirt track surrounded by tall rain trees, wild bamboo and banana plants. However it still serves its function of connecting people and places. Since the site has been left untouched by development, the stretch has evolved its own micro eco-systems and is home to some of the most scenic views on the island. Furthermore, the site stores some rare historical elements from the past decade; abandoned, iconic station buildings, significant steel bridges and remaining rails and sleepers. These elements offer a visual link to the history and memories associated with the site. The government hopes that the public will have ideas on how the corridor could be upgraded to make it more visitor-friendly and suitable for recreational use. There are a range of views since some residents would like to see the greenway paved, some would like it to remain unchanged while others hope to see a combination of both. As it currently exists, the trail offers a glimpse of Singapore you rarely seen these days - a forgotten Singapore full of memories, history and natural spaces. To gather the public’s ideas on how to rethink the railway, an open ideas competition was launched in the spring of 2011. In total 240 students from a wide range of schools and universities participated. The government was thrilled with suggestions but it is still waiting for the perfect solution to transform this precious piece of land. It is important to get it right as the railway has been a symbol of progress in the past and should continue to be so going forwards.

“The least challenging and most unimaginative “solution” would be for policy makers, planners and developers to parcel the land out as real estate, dismantle the line, erase the railway and its memory from the public domain and relegate it to textbook history. That would be a costly mistake.” - Dr Geh Min, Immediate Past President Nature Society (Singapore)

http://theegreencorridor.org http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/ http://www.nas.gov.sg/nas/

photos of the green corridor

Singapore and storm water Singapore is situated in a tropical rainforest climate, which is characterized by uniform temperature and pressure, high humidity, and abundant rainfall. The result is that it is almost always warm and wet. The average annual rainfall is around 2,400 millimetres. Storm water collection and treatment are no longer concentrated at nature reserves, but will occur on every possible surface that the rain falls on. This includes dense urban areas, which account for a large percentage of Singapore’s land mass. Therefore, Singapore has heavily invested in drainage development projects over the last thirty years. Today approximately two-thirds of the island consists of rainwater harvesting areas, including both concrete canals and larger reservoirs. Like the rest of the world, Singapore is threatened by future climate change which will cause rising sea levels and increased intensity of rainfall. Even though Singapore has an extremely developed network of concrete canals and reservoirs, they are not dimensioned for the future rainfalls. While concrete waterways are able to effectively serve the function of flood control, they increase downstream peak flows. More runoff is generated and flows faster into the drainage system over a shorter period of time, instead of being regulated by infiltration into the soil and through evapotranspiration. This will lead to flooding. Additionally, the concrete canals do not provide a habitat to support a healthy aquatic ecosystem. On the basis of the above, the government has invested more than $2 billion to upgrade Singapore’s drainage infrastructure. Some of the interventions will be to enhance the quality of receiving waters. This will happen in several ways. The storm water runoff will be treated as close as possible to its source, before it is discharged into a public drain. It will be retained and treated on site before allowing the water to naturally flow into the reservoirs. Finally the storm water collection will be extended and future design of waterways will additionally incorporate aesthetics and recreation into plans.

“Water is everywhere - as groundwater, as humidity, as rain, as the sea, as the water table, as raindrops, as light, as steam, as haze, as space, as a rational, poetic and mysterious aspect. Projects are not objects, but rather controlled and initiated processes - they have to be understood in this way. - Steen Høyer, architect, The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.

“Managing Urban Runoff - Drainage Handbook”

jí shuǐ qū | water catchment

A map showing the water catchement areas, both in terms of natural rivers, constructed canals and reservoirs.

PROGRAMME thesis objective, vision, limitations, method of research

The Railways Lands

26 km 145 ha 1,450 sqm could add

of green park space per 1.000 persons

Botanical Gardens

63.7 ha

Problem definition Singapore has to turn the challenges of rapid urbanization into opportunities in order to create an appealing living and working environment. This requires a longterm planning, which the government has managed to do*: A programme focussing on greenery, natural water sites, and aiming to move nature closer to people is a high priority. Listed below are some of the main targets in this programme, some of which have already been achieved:

90 km 2/3

total waterways length for recreational activities by 2020

of land area used as water catchment

46.5 %

of land area to become green spaces

8,000 sqm

of green park space per 1,000 persons

The area of the rail corridor offers great potential to increase these numbers. The combined area of the railway lands is about 145 hectares, almost three times the size of the Botanical Gardens in Singapore and 0.2 percent the land mass of the island. Therefore, the area of park space per citizen would increase if this was used for recreational purposes. If all the railway lands were transformed to a landscape of storm water collection the length would be 26 kilometres. This would meet about one third of the target total waterways length of 90 kilometres, to be achieved by 2020.

*â&#x20AC;&#x153;10 Principles for Liveable High-Density Cities - Lessons from Singaporeâ&#x20AC;?

aesthetics extend the park connector network

water management

livability

history

visual connection to the past tourist attraction

shadow

preservation

green areas

accesibility

strolling

recreativity

preserving heritage restrooms neighbourliness

ecology

connections

mixed use

benches genius loci

Learning environment

running hiking

overall identity

sustainability experiences

transformation

views

shelters

thesis objective and vision This project wants to demonstrate how the site of the green corridor can contribute to the overall aim of turning Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s challenges in to opportunities. Firstly, the project seeks to investigate how a former infrastructural site, like a railway track, with a significant cultural history can be improved by both restoration and transformation and how the genius loci of the site can be visually told. Secondly, the project aims to show how a natural hidden-gem can be transformed in to a recreational green corridor. This happens by realising the natural potential through emphasizing and restorating the green structures and landscape patches of the site. Furthermore, how this skeleton of greenery can create linkages for the largely fragmented green areas across the island. Thirdly, the project seeks to contribute to the growing field in Singapore of how to use future climate changes and increases in rainfall intensities as a design tool. Storm water management will be just a premise and will not determine the final design. The project will contain examples of how to address the flooding challenge by integrating storm water management in the structure of the historical railway landscape. A reworking of the existing waterways along the site will give them some recreational quality, meaning they are no longer just practical elements. Ultimately the vision of this project has three main areas it seeks to investigate:

1. 2. 3.

To reveal and strengthen the traces of history and cultural heritage of the site To emphasize and restore the existing potential landscape patches of the site To give examples of how the addressing of future climate changes can be integrated in the design of the site

The overall intervention is minimal, since the idea is to conceive the conditions for experiencing the existing landscape and the cultural history through restoration, transformation and emphasizing the siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s potentials.

Malaysia

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Bukit Timah Railway Station Clementi Forest The Jurong Line Kranji Mangrove Pang Sua Canal Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

A map showing the railway corridor (white shape) and the many fragmented green patches it crosses

limitations The project is interested in the land occupied by the railway tracks, which will be refered to as the railway lands. The total area of the railway lands is approximately 145 hectares and focus will be placed on six specific areas on the site, “The Six Landscapes”. The areas in between the six landscapes can easily be integrated in the design if the project is being realized. They will stay as untouched, natural corridors linking the six detailed areas, but will contain the same elements such as benches, viewing platforms, pavilions and lifted boardwalks.This way the entire corridor will appear as one coherent landscape. The railway lands also include The Jurong Line, which is the extension to the west. This project will exclude this area in the design, but if the project is being realized, the branch can easily be integrated in the design the same way as stated above. Several of the chosen “Six Landscapes” will propose an integration of the surrounding nature in the design, such as forest and mangrove areas outside the contract limit. The proposal can though still be realized without crossing the border of the railway lands. The railway lands cross several areas of cadastral parcels, which can be problematic due to private property. However, the project is driven by the overarching public interest of developing the former railway line and thus studies and analysis of private property have been left out The design for water management in the flood prone areas is based on estimates of the run-off values. There should be more precise measurements made if the project is being realized, and other experts from relevant professions, should be involved.

method of research The programme consists of observations collected on site and research through digital media and databases. It also makes use of historical maps and literature on the development of the site found in the National Archives of Singapore. Furthermore, some of the original competition material has been useful. The observations collected on site and subsequent research have been helpful to illuminate the scale, history, current context and future development plans of the site. They have also shown the spatial characteristics such as the texture, expressions, processes, climate, topography, edges, and transitions. On the basis of the observations and the research, the initial analysis has been made through sketches and modelling. The final proposal consists of an overall plan of the site and six chosen areas along the railway line, “The Six Landscapes”, where more detailed proposals are made. The areas selected for detailed proposals are chosen on the basis of the analysis of several locations. The locations contain unique values in the form of cultural heritage sites, historical landmarks, natural heritage sites, and locations historically known for flooding. The initial analysis has been performed on a very large scale and the final proposals zoom in to a more detailed design.

analysis connections, topography, housing, infrastructure, green areas, stakeholders

Park connections Singapore has an extensive network of park connectors. These are paths made for pedestrians and cyclists to move on from one park area to another without intersecting with any heavy traffic. The railway lands cut through a number of these existing green areas and park connectors - with a length of 26 kilometres the railway lands could add 40 percent to the existing 100 kilometres of the Park Connector Network (PCN). Furthermore, the existing area of park spaces in Singapore could be increased and the railway lands could add:

145 ha

of green cover

Listed below are the five main green areas and park connectors where the railway lands could add even more value and further connection:

1. The Southern Sector

This sector contains a network of some of the most well-visited parks of the island, which today are connected via the PCN. The railway intersects with this PCN and could become a perfect part of the network between The Botanical Gardens and the linear park system at The Southern Ridges.

2. Clementi Woodlands

This significant forest is cut in two by the railway lands. The nature here is still relatively untouched resulting in unique developed microclimates. These have become sanctuaries for many rare plants such as giant tree ferns. The railway lands are placed on top of the hilly terrain of the forest, which offers a great view that could be further emphasized as the railway lands could be the perfect way of entering the forest.

3. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

The railway lands cut through the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Bukit Batok Parks for a two-kilometre stretch near the Hillview area. These areas are known for having rare nature species and the largest surviving primary rainforest on the island. Today the areas have no physical connection at all, but the railway lands could be a convenient way of accessing these areas and the connection can simply be converted into a nature trail.

4. Bukit Panjang/ Pang Sua/ Chua Chu Kang

Beyond the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, several Park Connectors (Hillview, Bukit Panjang, Chua Chu Kang and Pang Sua) run parallel to the railway lands. Combining all the park areas with the railway land will result in a larger linear park.

5. Kranji Mangrove

This area is not a recreational landscape open to the public yet even though it contains a rare and threatened habitat. In the future it could be one example of the new green areas that the railway lands can connect.

Kranji Mangrove

Existing Park Connector Network (PCN) Park Areas

Pang Sua PCN Bukit Panjang PCN

Chua Chu Kang PCN

MacRitchie Reservoir Hillview PCN

Bukit Batok Parks Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Bukit Batok Parks Clementi Woodlands Sungei Ulu Pandan Botanical Gardens West Coast PCN

The Southern Sector

Southern Ridges N

housing and transportation The railway lands are situated close to major population centres. A trail on the former railway line could serve up to one million residents living in estates along the line. The construction of a simple walking trail with resting points, lights, and restrooms placed along, could allow access to some of the beautiful scenes you can experience along the stretch. The trail could even be a link between communities and enhance the feeling of neighbourliness. In fact the railway lands could assist with:

1,450 sqm

of green park space per 1.000 persons

The railway lands are also easy to reach through the public transport system on the island. Four MRT (Mass Rapid Transit System) lines cross the railway lands directly and a fifth, which is expected to open in 2017. The public transport system offers several stops directly linked to the former railway line.

http://www.singstat.gov.sg/publications/publications_and_papers/cop2010/census10_stat_release3.html

Existing MRT lines

Industrial area

Future MRT line

Chua Chu Kang 173.000 res.

Bukit Panjang 130.000 res.

Bukit Batok 144.000 res.

Bukit Timah 70.000 res.

Clementi 92.000 res. Queenstown 99.000 res.

topography and water Singapore is a relatively flat island, with some pockets of low-lying areas. These are located along the southern and eastern coastal fronts, and also in the northern area of the Kranji Mangrove and along the Pang Sua Canal, where the rail lands run. Besides from being a low-lying area, the geological formation here is based on the Kallang Formation, which is known for characteristics such as soft grey clay and loose, brown muddy sand. This is why the area is historically known as a flood prone area - it certainly faces higher flood risks, especially when heavy rains coincide with high tides.* Singapore does also have a hilly topography, and the railway lands are situated in between the most elevated areas of the island, around the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve of 162 meters and Bukit Batok Parks of 123 and 132 meters. This means that due to gravity, the water naturally flows towards the low-lying railway lands. The Pang Sua Canal was historically a natural stream, but has been concretized over time to discharge the increased volume of run-off water as the island has become more developed and paved. The Kranji Mangrove has also experienced a huge transformation. It has changed from being a natural wetland area and become a drained reclaimed area. The pavement of both the Pang Sua Canal and the Kranji Mangrove will just increase the downstream peak flow. More runoff will be generated and will flow into the drainage system over a shorter period of time. The best future solution for both areas in the future, would be to keep the ground of the area wet and soft, ready to absorb the rain when a heavy fall occurs. This would also mean the cultural history of the site as a wetland area, would be preserved. This way the railway lands could help to achieve the target of 90 kilometres of recreational waterways by 2020. If all the railway lands were transformed in to a water catchment site, where rainwater was treated on site before flowing into the drainage system, it could offer:

26 km

of waterways for recreational activities

The stretch would also help fulfil the principle of:

2/3

of land area used as water catchment

* http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/

Kranji Mangrove

Lower Seletar Reservoir

Kranji Reservoir Pang Sua Canal Upper Seletar Reservoir

Upper Peirce Reservoir Lower Peirce Reservoir

x 132 Bukit Batok Parks

x 123

x 162

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve MacRitchie Reservoir

x 50 N

Flood prone areas

stakeholders

NATIONAL PARKS

PUB

URA

“Let’s make Singapore our garden” This sums up the vision and mandate of this organisation. NP conserves, creates, sustains and enhances the green infrastructure of Singapore. NP aims to accord citizens a lifestyle where ultra-fast modern city living can go hand-in-hand with becalming greenery.

The national water agency, PUB (The Public Utilities Board) is responsible for the collection, the production, the distribution and the reclamation of water in Singapore. Today rainwater is collected through rivers, streams, canals and drains, and stored in 17 reservoirs, and from here it is undergoing a treatment before it is distributed to customers.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority is Singapore’s land use planning and conservation authority. Their mission is to make Singapore a great city to live, work and play in by doing the overall comprehensive planning of the island.

This proposal of the railway lands are a great combination of visual delights, rich biodiversity, wellplanned recreational activities, and a great connection to other green spots why it is a great gem to become a part of the National Parks and the Park Connector Network.

Since the railway lands run through low-lying areas with natural rivers and streams, it is a perfect spot for rainwater collection. Since parts of the design is about rainwater treatment, the area of the railway lands is perfect to be a part of PUB and the water loop in Singapore.

The return of the former railway lands presents a unique opportunity for a review of the plans for the site together with the surrounding areas. URA is already concerned about this precious part of land and concentrates on both the great potential to integrate the greenery and also the heritage structures with new developments along the former railway line.

stakeholders

www.thegreencorridor.org

CITIZENS & TOURISTS

UNESCO

This campaign website aims to gather support for the railway lands, also known as The Green Corridor, and unite supporters. Furthermore, it is the aim to show the government that there is public interest and support for The Green Corridor. Besides from environmental, social and recreational benefits, the campaign also cares about the history, the cultural heritage and the shared memories of the rail corridor to be preserved.

The railway lands are interesting for citizens and residents living in estates along the line and could even link between communities and enhance the neighbourliness.

Among a list of other things, UNESCO was created to build an intercultural understanding through protection of heritage and support for cultural diversity. UNESCO created the idea of World Heritage to protect sites of outstanding universal value.

This campaign website can help unite supporters, draw attention to the project in medias and furthermore it can help by raising money for an upcoming project.

If the project is anchored among residents it will automatically attract tourists from all over the world who will contribute financially to the country.

Though is it important to get the local residents involved in the project from the beginning to get the project anchored. Support from local communities is crucial to protect the heritage site and to enjoy it in a new way to prevent the site seeming like a museum.

If preserved appropriately, the railway lands can become a potential site for UNESCO World Heritage listing as it may already meet some of the criteria: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Correct and appropriate preservation includes the protection, management, authenticity, and integrity of the site as a coherent cultural landscape which demonstrates significant interaction between people and the natural environment.â&#x20AC;? This listing may attract tourists as well.

historical development history, politics, remembrance, relationships, symbols

dĂŹtĂş | map

Sabah Malaysia Sarawak

Singapore

historical link

The railway lands are a symbol of the historical relationship between Singapore and Malaysia. These two countries were once one and the same country. After having obtained full self-governance from the British colonial government in 1958, the new Legislative Assembly of Singapore believed that Singapore’s future lay with Malaya, since their common historical and economic ties were strong. In 1963 the establishment of the Federation of Malaysia, comprising of existing Federation of Malaya, Singapore and the British territories of Sabah and Sarawak, was a reality and the Federation of Malaysia was formed. Shortly after, the racial tension increased. Chinese in Singapore felt discriminated against by the federal policies that granted special privileges to the Malays. Also the Malays in Singapore accused that the government here was mistreating the Malays. It led to several riots and conflicts. Also conflicts on the economic front caused problems. Politicians from United Malays National Organisations (UMNO) feared that the economic dominance of Singapore would inevitably shift political power away from Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. Seeing no other alternative to avoid more disagreements, the Malayan Prime Minister decided to expel Singapore from the federation in 1965. The new state became the Republic of Singapore, which it still is today.

“For me, it is a moment of anguish. All my life, my whole adult life, I have believed in merger and unity of the two territories.” - Lee Kuan Yew, the first prime minister of Singapore, 1965. Today the railway lands symbolize the relationship, the connection and the historical progress of two countries. Though the countries were divided into two, the railway, owned by the Malayan Railway Authority, continued to operate on land belonged to Singapore until the closure in 2011. The existence and the visibility of the former railway line will strengthen the shared memories and the common past with Malaysia, and will also create opportunities for history education and discovery. This is necessary as the erosion of shared memories quicken in an urban, highly developed city like Singapore.

“Without shared memories across different generations and between different immigrant groups, we would feel like strangers and find it harder to understand each other.” - thegreencorridor.org, 2011

http://theegreencorridor.org http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/ http://www.nas.gov.sg/nas/

Milestone Old Woodlands

New Woodlands

Mandai

Bukit Panjang

Old Bukit Timah

Holland Rd

New Bukit Timah

Cluny

Newton

Jurong Industrial Estate

Tanglin Halt Tank Rd

Peoples Park Alexandra Halt Tanjong Pagar

Pasir Panjang Borneo Wharf

Milestone 1899

Sir Clementi Smith plans to build a railway line through Singapore, primarily to service the New Harbour

1903

1st of January the section from Tank Road to old Bukit Timah Station was opened

1903

10th of April the second section, which extended the line to Woodlands, was completed

1907

An extension to Pasir Panjang and the wharf opened

1923

The Causeway between the Malaysian Peninsula and Singapore was completed

1932

The Tanjong Pagar Station was officialy opened

1937

The extension to Pasir Panjang and the wharf closed

1965

A six mile long branch was added to the new Jurong Industrial Estate but it failed to generate adequate traffic and was soon after closed

1993

The railway had previously only served the transportation of goods but now it started to take passengers from Singapore to Bangkok which was now linked to the railway

2010

Malaysia agreed to move and terminated train operation in Singapore from July 2011

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, a history in remembrance 1932-2011â&#x20AC;?

historical landmarks

The landmark Tanjong Pagar Railway Station stands out for its grand facade influenced by both the Neo-Classical and Art Deco architectural styles. In the past, when railway travelling was considered a luxury, this station gave a sense of elegance and grandeur. The Bukit Timah Railway Station was one of the smaller stations built to serve the suburban parts of Singapore. The simple brick building with an open sided waiting hall is the only remaining station of this kind and is an endearing local landmark. The single storey building follows the style of the traditional small town stations that were common in the United Kingdom and Malaya in the 1930s. Tanjong Pagar Railway Station has been designated as a National Monument, while the Bukit Timah Railway Station has been designated as a conserved building. The railway platforms and the tracks next to the platforms of both the railway station buildings will be retained. In addition, two significant steel bridges at Dunearn Road and Upper Bukit Timah Road with their existing tracks will also be retained. As part of the land swap agreement, the rest of the tracks and ancillary structures of the railway, however, have been removed and handed over to Malaysia.

3. 1. Tanjong Pagar Railway Station 2. Bukit Timah Railway Station 3. Steel bridge at Dunearn Road 4. Steel bridge at Upper Bukit Timah Road

cultural history

When the railway line was constructed over a century ago, by linking the heart of tiny Singapore to the vast continent of Eurasia it certainly symbolized connectivity and progress. Over the years it has acquired a rich patina of history not only as an important transport link but in the shared remembrances of citizens who have travelled to and from Singapore out of necessity or in search of adventure, romance or discovery. The closure of the railway in 2011 left the citizens upset. They were frustrated and concerned about the future of the area, and afraid of the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plans to parcel out the area to developers. A rail corridor consultation group called thegreencorridor.org â&#x20AC;&#x201C; comprising representatives from interest groups such as the Nature Society Singapore, The Architectural Society as well as individuals with an interest in the development of the rail corridor - was formed to ensure the future of the precious land of history.* The Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, a high-speed rail line between Malaysia and Singapore, is currently under development and is scheduled to begin operations in 2018, which makes the closure of the old railway line seem even more absurd. This new rail line will not intersect with the old railway line and therefore, it is not a barrier for the historic site to be transformed.**

A group of citizens out exploring the tracks after the closure in 2011

*http://thegreencorridor.org **http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/transport/story/proposed-stops-kl-singapore-high-speedrail-20140703

1. A station worker stretching out his hand to receive the token from the incoming train 2. A man buying a ticket for one of the trains 3. Passengers ready to board the train at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station 4. Train at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station 5. Passengers waiting for their trains at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station 6. Singapore and Malaysia flags fly side by side at Bukit Timah Railway Station, symbolizing the relationship and shared history

voices from the past

“In the late 1970s I took the night train from Tanjong Pagar Station. At Kluang Station, several armed Royal Malay Regiment soldiers and an officer boarded this train. It was very clear that the soldiers were armed to the teeth as it was just after the 13 May 1969 massacre in Kuala Lumpur. I was occupying the topmost sleeping bund and a soldier’s rifle barrel was pointing upwards. A misfire from this soldier’s rifle would have changed my life. It was a night train ride to be remembered.”

“Returning home by the train, one of the first things that would greet you, was the canteen. I often picked up my breakfast from the canteen after coming in on the overnight train from Kuala Lumpur. It was also a great place to wait for returning members of the family and friends, and a wonderful place to catch up with friends over a cup of tea”

Mr. Lee, 85, is partially deaf, and has fading vision. He was one of the Malaysian workers who lived along Spooner Road from 1953 to 1978. He painstaking laid, aligned and maintained the tracks. He would get calls in the middle of the night too, about a misaligned portion of the track and he would go down to the tracks to fix the problem, ensuring the safety of the trains running between Singapore and Malaysia. In fact, his hearing problem is a result of the noise stemming from his work.

http://thegreencorridor.org http://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com

voices from the past

“The train rides always provided an opportunity to catch a glimpse of a Singapore that would otherwise remain hidden. With the route that the train takes meandering through parts of Singapore that could very well be in another world.”

Children of rail workers, also called “Spooners” lived along Spooner Road, in tiny flats built to house the staff and their families. “Each unit was about the size of a very small room. The one-roomed ‘apartment’ was clustered with small chairs, tables, beds, radio, tv set etc. Common cooking and bathrooms were located in the ground floors. Imagine a family man living with his wife and several children in this cramped place! It was not up to any civilised standards,” says a child of a rail worker.

For retiree Sally Tan, 56, the railway brings back memories of the nearby squatter hut that her late grandmother used to live in. “We didn’t need a clock to tell the time - we went by the trains. I recall there was one that passed her house every day at 5pm,” she says.

After the closure of Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, food stall owners vacated the place, leaving it almost empty except for some tables, chairs and other discarded items. “If the station was open, I would go back there every single day, sharing my memories of the friends I made and the time I spent in a prayer room above the coffee shop whenever I needed a moment of quiet.” Mahmood Hassan, former food stall owner.

Transformation tabula rasa, genius loci, cultural heritage, natural heritage

yÇ?nyĂ˛ng | references

1. Landschaftspark Duisburg Nord by Latz + Partner, a former coal and steel production plant, Duisburg, Germany 2. The High Line by James Corner Field Operations, Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Piet Oudolf, a former railway line in NYC used by freight trains transformed into a public park, New York City, US 3 + 4. Tudela (Club Med) Restoration by EMF Landscape Architecture, a transformation of private holiday village into a natural park, Cap de Creus, Spain 5. Zhongshan Shipyard Park by Turenscape, a former shipyard turned into a green space, Zhongshan City, China

Nowadays it is not uncommon for abandoned railway lines, former industrial areas and disused infrastructural sites to be converted in to parks, gardens and public spaces, but still with a visual link to the history of the site. We can find several conversions of these projects where a transformation has taken place - the most famous one in New York City, where an abandoned railway line has been converted to a public park. This project has experienced an extremely high popularity, why experts talk about a worldwide “The High Line effect”, where cities are in search for abandoned infrastructural sites to transform. The entry for the word transformation in The Great Danish Encyclopaedia includes the following introduction: “transformation (from Latin transformatio, ‘change, conversion’, from trans- and formare, ‘form’), in the theory of evolution the changes in hereditary material that lead to the emergence of new races and species. The word transformation can serve as a suitable term for the process of change that cultural objects undergo, more or less naturally or with human assistance, before they perish. A term of the processes that carry a site forward towards renewed technical and aesthetic content*. Transformation is associated with architectural heritage on every level and therefore denotes several actions:

reconstruct

restorate

renew

remove

revive reuse

relocate

repair

emphasize add

retain

preserve

renovate

replace

Transformation of heritage sites in the Nordic countries is often characterized by its specific sensibility to local anchoring in culture and identity, why we often restorate, reuse and retain in contrast to the tabula rasa - the process of removing and starting from scratch. A Norwegian architect, Christian Norberg-Schulz (1926-2000), has used the expression genius loci, which means the presence of ‘spirit of the place’ or the phenomenology of architecture**, which could be the paradigm practiced in the Nordic region for years in the process of transformation of places.

“The experience of a place is not a question of taste. The site is given as something objectively, whether we like it or not. It reveals its secrets and qualities if we open our minds and listen to its spirit” Christian NorbergSchulz, Norwegian architect.

In many rapidly expanding mega-cities, especially in Asia, the tendency in planning and transformation of heritage sites belong to the tabula rasa. New and more universal style of architecture is introduced, which is likely not anchored to the given context. This kind of globalization in architecture equalizes our physical surroundings since the ideal is that all architecture appear the same all over the world, which usually leaves nothing to genius loci.*** In the future our cultural and natural heritage will meet challenges. Concerns for necessary functional alterations due to a loss of function along with sustainability requirements will place new demands, why it is a matter of necessity to transform the values of our heritage with the genius loci in mind, which could bring these values into the future.

* “Transformation, Tankemodel” ** “Genius Loci, Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture” *** “New Nordic, arkitektur og identitet”

In this thesis transformation is a great part of the overall concept, since the intention has been to bring the site forward towards renewed usages and asthetical conditions. The Nordic tendency through the genius loci has been a main focus to respect the history of the site. The railway lands both include sites of cultural heritage and natural heritage, why it has been nescessary to use different tools in the transformation process. For the cultural heritage sites the tools have been to renovate, preserve, repair and reuse to name a few. For the natural heritage sites the tools have been to reconstruct, restorate and renovate. Cultural heritage sites are found in four areas along the railway line. Two steel bridges and two former railway stations, which are all worth preserving, since they visually tells the story of the site. In addition to the preservation, it has been nescessary to renovate the buildings and to reuse them in the process of bringing the site forward to a new kind of usage but still within the historical structures. Natural heritage sites are found several places along the former railway line. With future challenges such as climate changes in mind the landscapes are reestablished to an earlier state where draining and paving of the areas were not constructed. The transformation aims to revive the ecological dynamics of the areas as it aims to restorate the outstanding geological and botanical values, the original sediment flows and exchanges between land and sea. Through the transformation of the site we interpret both the past, the present as we consider the future. All phases tell the story of who we are and where we are coming from. The aim has therefore been to respect the innate character and to capitalize on what is already there and to “grow” something new out of something old. The result is an interpretative railway landscape in correlation with the ‘spirit of the place’. Altogether the transformation includes the past but at the same time it brings the railway lands into a new era.

renovate

3. reconstruct

Cultural heritage sites

restorate

Natural heritage sites

replace reconstruct remove restorate

reconstruct

retain reuse renovate preserve

emphasize emphasize

repair preserve renovate reuse retain

yĂzhÇ? | heritage sites

1. Pang Sua Canal is a natural heritage site and will be reconstructed and restored as a natural meandering river 2. Bukit Timah Railway Station is a cultural heritage site, and will be preserved and reused as a museum and visitor center 3. The ecological dynamics and natural environment of the Kranji Mangrove before the land reclamation, will be revived and preserved in the transformation of the site 4. Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, a cultural heritage, will be preserved and renovated as a hotel, a restaurant, while the platforms are transformed in to an open museum.

proposal strategy, vision, actions

vision and strategy EXISTING POTENTIALS By inspiration of the Swiss architect, George Descombes and his project, The Swiss Way*, this project aims to expose, reveal and improve the historical traces and qualities of the site. As one example, the project aims to emphasize the hydrographical dynamics such as flood prone areas and smaller streams. It will also emphasize the large green areas embracing the site as well as the historical landmarks from a bygone era. By simply awaken and bring existing potentials to presence, the site can resurrect to a new trail of remembrance. The intent is not to overdesign the site with elaborate interventions, but rather to intensify the existing context, the history and the genius loci with a discrete architecture. The project will not just make the site’s history visible, it will also let the historical traces affect the design. The rail trail itself is a simple continuous path on the skeleton of the former railway line. Most of the trail is comprised of the existing trodden path. Yet there are also modern concrete sleepers at intervals to bring the awareness of the visitors to the history of the site as a railway line. Other architectural features along the trail are viewing platforms, to give access to both the existing scenic views and the rare landscapes that might have been forgotten since the closure of the railway. New pavilions with a visual nod to local architecture and to former railway stations will also feature. The trail can be accessed from the starting point in the south, through the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, or via one of several access points along the site.

“Everything needed is already there and the project simply tries to find and represent these features through a discrete architecture.” - George Descombes about The Swiss Way project

SIX LANDSCAPES Six project areas, “The Six Landscapes”, have been carefully selected to propose more detailed designs along the trail. The selection is based on both inspiration of the site itself and on analysis of existing significant elements with great potentials along the line such as huge, rare natural habitats, hydrographical dynamics and historical landmarks. THE LINKING TRAIL IN BETWEEN The areas in between “The Six Landscapes” will stay as untouched, natural corridors linking the six detailed areas, but will contain the same discrete architecture such as platforms, pavilions, and concrete sleepers. This way the entire trail will appear as one coherent landscape. Two historical landmarks, the steel bridges will stay untouched since they are already integrated and function as connections, as they without intervention already bring the awareness to the history of the site.

*“Shiffting Sites: The Swiss Way, Geneva”

Flood prone area

5. Kranji Mangrove

Flood prone area

6. Pang Sua Canal

Park Connection

Steel bridge

3. Bukit Timah Railway Nature Reserve

Natural habitat

Steel bridge Historical landmark

1. Bukit Timah Railway Station

Natural habitat

4. Clementi Forest

Park Connection Park Connection

Historical landmark

The Six Landscapes

2. Tanjong Pagar Railway Station

A map showing the sites, carefully selected for detailed proposals

DEFINING PROJECT AREAS

Steel bridge Bukit Timah Railway Station

Steel bridge

Tanjong Pagar Railway Station

HOUSING AND LANDMARKS The railway lands cross both residential areas, popultation centres, and areas of businesses and retail, which create a high level of activity. In two of the most busiest areas, two historical landmarks are found. These buildings are former railway stations, today conserved buildings, which contain an important part of the cultural history of Singapore, why they have been selected for a further design proposal.

CONNECTIONS AND LANDMARKS Several greater roads, MRT lines and park connectors intersect with the railway line. Where roads intersect, level crossings were installed years ago to control the traffic. Two places where bigger main roads intersect, it was nescessary to divide the different kind of traffic in different levels, why two steel bridges were built along the railway line to serve the trains. The bridges are conserved as historical landmarks, since they also play an important part of the history of the site.

DEFINING PROJECT AREAS

Kranji Mangrove

Pang Sua Canal

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Clementi Forest

GREEN AREAS The railway lands cross several green areas, where two of them, the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Clementi Forest are the most significant ones with a rare kind of nature and natural habitats. The areas contain great potentials for future connections to the railway lands, why they have been selected for a more detailed design in the following proposal.

WATER AND TERRAIN The low lying railway lands are affected by several flood prone areas. Especially three areas face a higher flood risk, especially when heavy rains coincide with high tides. These areas, Kranji Mangrove, Pang Sua Canal and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve have therefore been selected for a further design in the following proposal.

THE SIX LANDSCAPES

Historical landmarks

Natural habitats 4.

Floodprone areas

actions Renovate, preserve and reuse The two historical buildings along the tracks are designated as a national monument and as a conserveded building. They will in this proposal both be preserved and transformed. The two steel bridges will be preserved as well, as they visually tell the history of the site as a former railway landscape. They will remain as bridges along the trail as they appear today. 1. To emphasize the old Bukit Timah Railway Station, the area surrounding the building will be transformed into a cleaning biotope. This will follow the structures of the remaining old tracks. Platforms on different levels will allow visitors to get even closer to the learning environment of water treatment. 2. The space inside the grand waiting hall of Tanjong Pagar Railway Station will be filled with a restaurant. On the second floor the hotel will reopen to offer afar travellers a place to stay before or after visiting the trail. The two outdoor platforms will host a permanent exhibition about the history of the site, while the existing tracks between the platforms will remain, and be enveloped by native grasses to compose an interpretive rail garden narrative.

Restorate, reestablish and preserve The railway lands cross two significant and huge green areas worth to protect and preserve. 3. The Bukit Timah Reserve is Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest surviving primary rainforest. Since the railway will split the area in two, the proposal is to let nature take control. This will reestablish a natural habitat underneath and around the new path. An underground water pipe will be removed and the rainwater will become a natural part of the landscape over ground. The flora will grow spontaneously on the basis of the terrain, the soil, and the influence of storm water. 4. The Clementi Forest is historically known as a rubber plantation. Parts of the forest will be cleared to emphasize and restorate the cultural and historical structures. This will also open up the great view from the railway of the magnificent and abandoned tropical forest.

Reconstruct, reestablish and revive This proposal will allow the areas along the trail historically known for flooding, to once again absorb storm water, as they previously had the ability to do. In this way, the natural history of the site as a wetland area, will become visible. 5. By turning off the pumps the reclamation of land, and to lowering the terrain towards mainland, means the water table at Kranji Mangrove will rise with rainfall, surface runoff and intertidal levels. It will fall as a result of evapotranspiration and the outflow of excess water to the sea. 6. By reconstructing the concrete Pang Sua Canal into a meandering river, the volume of the storm water collected will be able to rise above the shore and into the railway landscape. This will prevent flooding and create a natural river teeming with life.

furniture and materials path, pavilions, viewing platforms, lights

path Most of the path comprises the existing trodden path as it appears today, but as a new feature, concrete sleepers may occur eventually to bring the visitor’s awareness to the history of the site as a railway line. The sleepers are likewise supposed to be a recognizable element to visitors along the trail so they will not get lost. The concrete of the sleepers is in a light hue, and the appearance in the landscape is made as discrete as possible. Concrete as a material is chosen to make a visual nod to the history since concrete was a major part of the materials historically transported on the freight trains. The sleepers are prefabricated to make them cheap and easy to produce and furthermore, concrete is durable as a material in the tropics due to the humid climate. The tropical climate can lead to corrosion or swelling depending on the material used. Some places the path has to be lifted up from ground level and allow the landscape to fill in below. Here several concrete sleepers will be aligned to create a lifted boardwalk and railings are added for safety reasons. This is especially practiced in flood prone areas along the trail, with a rising groundwater table during rainy periods and also in wetland areas where tidal conditions influence the ground. The boardwalk is lifted by concrete pillars. The lifted boardwalks allow visitors to enter the site, even when the water table is high. *http://.danskbeton.dk

1. Historical railway sleepers integrated in the pavement at Igualada Cemetery by Enric Mirrales and Carme Pinos, Spain 2. Historical tracks occur at different places along The High Line by James Corner Field Operations, New York City 3. Supporting pillars at Skuespilhuset, Copenhagen, Denmark 4. Former railway structures turned into a lifted path, Schöneberger Südgelände Park, Berlin

pavilions Pavilions and restrooms along the trail are designed in a light, almost transparent structure. The folded roof structure recalls the railway history via the visual nod to the existing Bukit Timah Railway Station with its style of the traditional small town stations that were common in the 1930s. Traditional Chinese roofs and their layering design furthermore inspire the roof design. The roof is optimized to capture storm water and solar power. The storm water is collected in the folded plates on top, which nourishes nearby bio retention or just store and retain rainwater before it flows to the drain system. Solar panels are placed on the south face of the roof. Furthermore, the roof plates are adjustable to make visitors control if the plates should be opened or closed, depending on the weather conditions. The plates function almost like blinds for windows. Tin is the material used for the roof though it is galvanised to prevent rust and oxidation due to the humid climate. Tin was also a major part of the materials transported on the freight trains and is among other places mined in East Asia which makes it a sustainable choice to be used in this project.* The pavilions are strategically located along the trail to support the activeness and passiveness recreational uses along the entire route, to provide legible points of arrival and orientation of the trail and to respite from the tropical heat. Furthermore, the pavilions offer a great option to catch some sleep for multi-day walkers. The pavilions for resting will have a more open expression with none or just a few sidewalls while the pavilions containing restrooms will have closed walls and just one open-side. *http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/

Opened plates Closed plates

Control handle and strings

1. A memorial by Peter Zumthor & Partners, VardĂ¸, Varanger, Norway 2. Nordic Pavilion by Sverre Fehn in Venice, Italy 3. A traditional chinese roof with layer structure 4. A shelter at Hunterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Point South Waterfront Park, Long Island City, New York

viewing platforms The platforms function as smaller pockets directly linked to the trail. At places where the terrain is hilly or the water table is high, it will be necessary to lift the platforms from ground level. At these places, the platforms will be linked by steps and supported by pillars. The platforms are made of aligned concrete sleepers like the lifted boardwalks. They will appear as something different, a discrete kind of architecture to make visitors aware that something special might happen around. The viewing platforms are great spots for either bird watching or just to get even closer to the surrounding nature as well as they are perfect spots for taking a rest during a walk. The viewing platforms are equipped with benches, steps dimensioned to be used as seats, and railings good to lean on besides from being safety equipment. While the viewing platforms are made of concrete, the benches, also made of concrete, have a wooden cover of recycled railway sleepers, a warmer and softer material more comfortable to sit on.

1. Concrete bench with wooden cover, Frederiksberg, Denmark 2. A viewing platform at Trollstigen, Nasjonale Turistveger, Norway 3. A framed view, EMF Landscape Architecture, Cap de Creus, Spain 4. Ă&#x2DC;rnesvingen, a viewing platform at Trollstigen, Nasjonale Turistveger, Norway

Lights Since the trail will be open to public both during day and night it needs to be illuminated during night time. The illumination along the trail will consist of different designs depending on function and placement. The lighting along the trodden path will come from smaller lamps with an indirect and dim light, to keep the unobtrusiveness of the trail. The only function here is to lighten up the path since the attention of the visitor should be focused on the surrounding nature. These lamps are made of corten steel. This material adds an industrial look to recal the history of the railway. At the six project areas where more activity will take place, taller lamps with a greater intensity of illumination are placed. The lamps will not necessarily follow the structure of the former railway line but will rather be scattered around the specific area to create as much light as needed. These lamps are also made of corten steel and recall the feeling of a larger railway yard. Where the path needs to be lifted from ground level and at the viewing platforms, the light will be placed beneath the railing to create a dim light. This will keep the illumination within the area of the boardwalks. The historical landmarks such as the two steel bridges and the station buildings will have lighting illuminating the facades and the constructions. This will make them stand out and attract attention.

1. Smaller lamps in corten steel with a dim, indirect lighting are placed along the trodden path 2. Indirect lighting along The High Line, James Corner Field Operations, Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Piet Oudolf, NYC 3. Taller lamps with an industrial look at Aalborg Harbourfront, C.F. MĂ¸ller, Denmark 4. Taller lamps with an industrial look at BRFkredit Headquarters, Henrik JĂ¸rgensen Landskab, Denmark 5 - 6. Lights beneath the railing, Bryggebroen, Denmark and at Memorial Bridge, Croatia 7. Post industrial elements are emphasized by lighting at Sulzer-Areal, Vetschpartner Landscape Architecture, Switzerland 8. Post industrial element in the Ruhr-district in Germany is emphasized by lighting

the six landscapes the symbolic cleaning biotope, the meadow of remembrance, the changing rainforest landscape, the scenic viewing platform, the changing tidal landscape, the hisorical river landscape

bukit timah railway station masterplan, illustrations, vegetation, cross section

1. Bukit Timah Railway Station while it was still functioning 2. The connection point of two tracks 3. Levers used to manipulate the tracks 4. The big loop on the token made it easy to receive for the train worker

Bukit timah railway station The symbolic cleaning biotope The simple brick building with an open sided waiting hall is the only remaining station of this kind. An endearing local landmark. In addition to being a station for travellers to board and alight the train, the site served as a crossing loop station and a signalling control house. The token which was dropped off by the driver of an incoming train would be taken by the station master and handed over to the awaiting train at the station, bound for the opposite direction. The exchange of key tokens was to ensure the safety of the trains and to prevent head-on collision with an on-coming train, as the entire route was on a single track. This system was an antiquated system inherited from the colonial British era. The new design reuse the idea of token exchanges while it at the same time includes storm water collection and treatment. The run off water is collected in several beds and flows from one bed to another in the cleaning process. The cleaning beds are made within the existing tracks on site. The water flows through several cleaning levels to make sure the water is as clean as possible before it goes into the drainage system, which will lead to one of the reservoirs on the island. The difference in level of the beds ensures that the water does not flow back to the previous track it just passed on its way, symbolically like the idea of the token exchanging, to ensure that the incoming train did not collide with the awaiting train. The boardwalks are connected across the cleaning beds to let visitors explore the whole site. The cleaning biotope creates a range of experiences; different colours and smells; the sound of rippling water and all the different insects attracted to the biotope. The historical site can be visited as part of the entire trail, as a separate destination, or as a local park to enjoy for people living in the neighbourhood. The cleaning biotope can be a practical learning environment for the Girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; School next to the site, or just an aesthethic landscape to look at for visitors. The pavilions provide the perfect environment for a picnic gathering or as a sheltered spot for a break during a walk, when the afternoon rain starts pouring down. Several viewing platforms will break with the monotony of long straight boardwalks. They will serve as resting points and give the possibilty to experience the fascinating cleaning biotope at close range. Steps will connect the low-lying site with the surrounding neighbourhoods and the old station building will be transformed to a mini-museum both to convey the history of the site and the function of the new biotope.

xiĂ n | present

wèilái | future

Existing station building - now a museum

Pavilion

Cleaning biotope

Boardwalk

Selected aquatic plants Overflow pit

Max water level Filter substrate Gravel Drainage pipe

Treated water and overflow flows towards the drainage

1. Cyperus haspan

2. Pennisetum alopecuroides

3. Cyperus alternifolius

4. Equisetum hyemale

A cleaning biotope is a form of an artificially constructed wetland with recirculation. The degradation of organic pollutants occurs with the help of oxygen-fed microorganisms. Layers of substrate filter out particulates and have mineral composites that bind and remove phosphates. The planting in the biotope also filters out sediments while feeding off and removing nitrates in the water. The water is recirculated to ensure the water is as clean as possible before it moves on. The cleaning biotope also retains the storm water on site before allowing the water to naturally flow into the reservoirs. *â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Selection of Plants, for Greening of Waterways and Waterbodies in the Tropicsâ&#x20AC;?

1:250

gōngdì píngmiàntú | site plan

Housing Existing steel bridge Housing

Boardwalk

Housing

Aquatic plants

Pavilion

Housing

Living area

Boardwalks

Viewing platform Living area

Restroom

Parking area

New connecting path

Existing station building

Pavilion King Albert Park

Living area

New connecting stairway

Platform for resting Aquatic plants

New connecting path

Viewing platform

Living area

Parking area

Learning pavilion for schools

Methodist Girls’ School

Clementi Forest

1:2500

tanjong pagar railway station masterplan, illustrations, vegetation, cross section

1. An incoming train approaching the platform at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station 2. The historic facade of Tanjong Pagar Railway Station 3. The main hall with food stalls and ticket booths 4. Passengers at the platform waiting for the train to leave

Tanjong Pagar railway station The meadow of remembrance This remaining landmark was placed in a close distance to the harbour front, which made it easy to ship the goods. Later on the old station was where travellers usually started or ended their journey. It was a big buzzing waiting hall full of travellers, food stalls, bookshops, ticket booths, luggage, murmur and even a hotel on the second floor. The elongated platforms bring back memories of emotional goodbyes and expectant reunions and visually they stretch towards the horizon like many travellers may have longed for upcoming adventures waiting ahead. The station will be remained in the new design proposal. Inside the grand waiting hall a restaurant will fill out the space and on the second floor the hotel will reopen to offer afar travellers a place to stay before or after hiking the trail. The historical platforms will be preserved and will be transformed to an outdoor museum, where the history of the railway lands will be told. The existing tracks between the platforms will be remained, and on a base of stone, native grasses will envelop the tracks to compose an interpretive rail garden narrative. A meadow of memories where the tall undulating grasses will appear in different colours in relation to the changing daylight. Crossing boardwalks of aligned sleepers weave through the track bed to let visitors cross the rail garden. Furthermore, they give the opportunity to stand in the centre of the station and to look towards the horizon. This view may give a glimpse of history and all the opportunities that came along with the railway line an era ago. At the farthest end of the platforms, a trodden path will start the way through the rest of the trail. The Tanjong Pagar Railway Station site will naturally become the starting or ending point of the trail as well as it will be a place to visit just to enjoy the exhibition, the rail garden, the nearby cafe, the restaurant or the hotel facilities. The buildings along the former railway yard and Spooner Rd just north of the station area, used to host the railway workers and their families. The site is not within the contract limit, but it would be worth considering to transform the buildings in to another kind of museum. A place to convey the personal remembrances and histories associated with the old railway line.

xiĂ n | present

wèilái | future

Existing historical platform Crossing boardwalk

Benches to rest on

Native grasses Exhibition of the railway history

Native grasses

Exhibition of the railway history

Existing railway tracks

1:250

1. Miscanthus sinensis

2. Pennisetum polystachion

3. Saccharum spontaneum

4. Megathyrsus maximus

All the grasses undulating in the track bed are found in eastern Asia. The characteristics of the grasses include tolerance to drought and sun exposed soil why they naturally grow in open areas. This open grassland habitat is a good place for bird- and butterflywatching. The habitat provides food in the form of grass seeds to the grassland bird species like the Scaly-breasted Munia, Yellow-bellied Prinia, Baya Weaver and Paddyfield Pipit. The habitat also provides nesting sites for some of these birds. The maintenance of the grassland includes clearing of the tree saplings and shrubs that will as a matter of time colonise and dominate these open areas. *https://.florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg

gōngdì píngmiàntú | site plan

er Rd

Spoon

Former housing for rail workers and their families could be transformed to a museum of remembrances

Living area New connecting path

Former railway yard Pavilion

Housing

Spottiswoode Park Restrooms

Native grasses

Housing

Commercial Cafe

Parking space

Former railway line

Native grasses Platforms/outdoor museum

Keppel Rd

Tanjong Pagar Railway Station/ restaurant, hotel facilities and restrooms

Commercial Commercial

Container port

Harbour front

1:5000

bukit timah nature reserve masterplan, illustrations, vegetation, cross section

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve seen from above Rainforest trees as far as the eye can see One of several bridges crossing the tracks in the area of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve The track is surrounded by unspoiled nature The low-lying track is a great spot for rainwater collection

Bukit timah nature reserve The changing rainforest landscape

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is the biggest coherent green area in Singapore and belong to the largest surviving primary rainforest on the island. Furthermore the forest is part of the prestigious regional network of representative ecosystems in ASEAN*. ** The railway lands cut through Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Bukit Batok Nature Parks and may seem like a barrier between these two. Both green areas belong to the hilliest parts of Singapore, which means, the former railway line runs through a lowlying area in between. This area is a natural spot for sporadic rainwater collection. Today the water is collected in an underground pipe. In this proposal the pipe will be removed and the rainwater will become a natural part of the landscape over ground. In response to the microclimate and the falling and rising groundwater table, the trail will partly act as a lifted boardwalk of concrete sleepers. This will allow the landscape and water to fill in below. A major portion of this stretch will remain as a trodden path though, and have a minimal impact on the environment. This to keep the nature in focus. Instead of being a barrier, the wild nature surrounding the trail, will visually become a continuation of the two hilly nature sites on both sides of the path. The planting of the site will consist of the existing vegetation together with the natural occurrence of new water tolerant planting, growing in storm water pockets. These pockets are naturally created, when the underground pipe is removed. This stretch of the trail connects two important green areas via both new and existing overpasses across the busy Upper Bukit Timah Rd. The landscape will show a great example of how natural collecting of rainwater becomes visually aesthetic, instead of being stored in an underground pipe. The expression of the landscape will change depending on the level of the groundwater table This place will offer a possibility to experience a rare kind of undisturbed rainforest ecosystems in the centre of a buzzing and highly urbanized island. The rainforest landscape is a great adventurous spot for neighbouring residents, a much needed break at the cafe for serious walkers, and great for a stroll in the park after a visit at The Historical Museum next to the site. In rainy seasons where the water table may rise heavily, parts ot the trail may dissapear under water as a symbol of the vanishing past. Therefore, it can be necessary to skip the trail and do a little detour in one of the two surrounding parks, until it is possible to hit the trail again.

* The Association of Southeast Asian Nations ** â&#x20AC;&#x153;A guide to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Trailâ&#x20AC;?

xiĂ n | present

wèilái | future

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Bukit Batok Nature Parks Former railway line

Primary rainforest plants Aquatic plants

Aquatic plants

Collected rainwater

1. Figus carica

Boardwalk

2. Agrostistachys longifolia

3. Arecaceae

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4. Dipterocarpaceae

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is Singapore’s largest surviving primary rainforest. The 163-hectare Reserve includes Singapore’s highest hill at 162m. It comprises various types of forests, including a substantial portion of Singapore’s original tropical primary rainforest ecosystem, which makes up about half of the reserve. All the major plant groups in a tropical rainforest can be found here – from flowering plants, which include emergent trees, fig trees, forest shrubs, rattans, palms, lianas, vines and epiphytes, to fungi and lichen. As it is located within the tropical region, the nature reserve has one of the richest and most diverse ecological systems in the world. If you tread quietly and walk with eyes wide open, you will see an astonishing variety of plant and animal life.*

*http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/

gōngdì píngmiàntú | site plan

Overpass

Collected rainwater

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Viewing platform

Historical Museum

Collected rainwater

Lifted boardwalk New connecting path

Pavilion

Existing path

Aquatic plants

Bukit Batok Parks Lifted boardwalk Viewing platform Collected rainwater

Restrooms New connecting path

Parking space

Trodden path Overpass

Pavilion

Cafe

Aquatic plants Housing

Housing

r pe Up ah

Tim kit Bu

Former railway line

Housing

Lifted boardwalk Viewing platform

Collected rainwater

Restrooms Overpass

Parking space

1:5000

clementi forest masterplan, illustrations, vegetation, cross section

1. A train cutting through the big green patch of Clementi Forest 2. The track is surrounded by unspoiled nature 3. Morning light in the tropical Clementi Forest 4. The concrete canal cutting through the forest, seen from the railway

clementi forest The scenic viewing platform The railway lands are running on the edge of Clementi Forest for a long stretch, one of the biggest green patches in Singapore. Historically Clementi Forest was a rubber plantation, and still most of the trees are rubber trees. It has natural streams flowing through the area, which creates important microclimates that have become sanctuaries for many rare plants such as giant tree ferns. Also rare birds such as the Buffy Fish Owl and Changeable Hawk Eagle have been recorded as well as several mammals. Historically the area was also where the The Jurong Line extended towards west serving The Jurong Industrial Estate area. The six-mile long branch has been closed and disused for more than 20 years, yet it has developed unique micro-climates as well. In this proposal part of the forest will be cleared to emphasize the cultural and historical structures of the rubber plantation. The orientation of the clearing will follow the historical structure of the Jurong Line branch. This to let visitors imagine how the track divided in two, and how the extended line also made its cut through the forest towards west. The forest has an elevated terrain, which makes it a great spot for scenic views from the railway line. Along the existing trodden path, a couple of viewing platforms will be placed. One of them will be overlooking the clearing and the Jurong Line branch. This viewing platform will have a frame of corten steel, which will frame the landscape and recall the view seen through a window of a passing train. The frame will be divided in three â&#x20AC;&#x153;windowsâ&#x20AC;? with a variation in widths to create the feeling of moving in high speed. The frame rather enhances than block the view of the tropical forest and will furthermore optimize the spot for bird watching since the frame will function as a hide. The platforms are moreover ideal as resting spots and meeting points along the trail. New connecting paths and stairways will make it easier to enter the trail from the surrounding neighbourhoods. These will also be ideal for walkers to continue their walk in the historical Clementi Forest from the former railway line.

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wèilái | future

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Former railway line

Clementi Forest

Trodden path / former railway line Corten steel frame Viewing platform

1:300

1. Hevea brasiliensis

2. Terminalia catappa

3. Albizia Tree

4. Aphanamixis polystachya

Clementi Forest was part of a rubber plantation from the 1920s to the 1940s. It was probably abandoned during World War II, and was not re-established thereafter. In the late 1960s, low-density settlements were established within the forest and sundry cultivation of fruit trees and other food crops developed in place of the rubber plantations. Today the vascular flora of Clementi Forest is almost half exotic, and this can be partially explained by the land use history of the area. Clementi Forest was recently brought to public attention as one of the forest patches of conservation concern along the former railway line. Clementi Forest is a secondary forests and therefore it has a role to play in biodiversity conservation, as it serves as a refuge for some native plant and animal species, while providing resources for them.* *http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/

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gōngdì píngmiàntú | site plan

Bukit Timah Railway Station

Parking space

King Albert Park

Living area

Methodist Girls’ School Pavilion

Ngee Ann Polytech

Contract limit New connecting path

New connecting path Former railway line

Clementi Forest

former rubber plantation

New stairway

New stairway Pavilion Uncanalised water catchment SIM University

Vi si

bil

ity

Gravel Pit

Trodden path lin

y line

it Visibil

Visibility line

ti R

Viewing platforms

Cl em

Clearing

Restrooms

Old Jurong Line New connecting path Contract limit

Trodden path

Canalised water catchment Holland Village N

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1:5000

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kranji mangrove masterplan, illustrations, vegetation, cross section

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Malaysia

Buloh Mangrove

Straits of Johor

Kranji Mangrove

Mandai Mangrove

Railway line

The area and surroundings of Kranji Mangrove

1820

2014

The developments of the mangrove area over time

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2050

kranji mangrove The changing tidal landscape On the northern part of the railway line is a low-lying area where you will find Kranji Mangrove. This coastal strip between the railway lands and the sea consists of extensive areas of mangroves and intertidal mudflats, forming a river estuarine system. The site contains one of the best examples of mixed mangrove stands and is rich in biodiversity. Unfortunately several square kilometres were drained and reclaimed in the sixties and seventies for the purpose of providing a suitable site for a sawmill estate. In the 1820s mangrove forests formed 13% of Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total land area. Today this figure has dropped to a mere 0.5% - definitely a reminder to protect what is left of this rare habitat.* To address future sea level rise, the Kranji Mangrove will in this proposal be reconstructed as a large mangrove area, continuous with the Mandai and Buloh mangroves on both sides of the site. An extension of the existing mangrove habitat will be created by turning off the pumps and reclamation of land, and to lower the terrain towards mainland. The water table will rise with rainfall, surface runoff, intertidal levels and fall as a result of evapotranspiration and the outflow of excess water to the sea. The mangrove landscape will appear as several smaller islands during high tide while during low tide the landscape will seem as a continuous mudflat. This reconstruction is both a visual nod to the historical mangrove area as it is a solution to address flooding and future sea level rise. The trodden path that follows the contours of the historical railway line will be remained while a network of elevated boardwalks will be created towards the shoreline and above the surface of the sea. Here visitors will get the chance to experience the rich fauna and flora in a mangrove habitat. Along the boardwalks several viewing platforms and pavilions will be added. These will serve as places for resting, photography and bird watching. Due to the tidal, the area will offer different experiences depending on the time of the visit. At low tide thousands of shellfish and rare birds will be moving around in the muds and the giant roots of the mangrove trees will be visible. At high tide visitors will be guided on boardwalks lifted just above the water surface. It will be possible to get a glimpse of both monitor lizards, otters and a variety of fish in this future habitat.**

* http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg and http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg ** â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wetlands in a Cityâ&#x20AC;?

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xiĂ n | present

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wèilái | future

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Kranji Mangrove

Viewing platform

Boardwalk

Mudflat

Avicennia-Sonneratia zone

Swamp

Bruguiera-Rhizophora zone

High tide Low tide

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1. Rhizophora apiculata

2. Acrostichum aureum

3. Bruguiera gymnorhiza

4. Lumnitzera racemosa

The habitat of the mangrove forest exists in flooded marine and brackish environments. The plant species here are specially adapted to waterlogged conditions, changing salinity and unstable soils. The mangrove habitat is divided in three distinct zones. The Avicennia-Sonneratia zone, where the soil is soft and loose and flooded by both high and low tides. The Bruguiera-Rhizophora zone, which is on higher ground and flooded less frequently. The back mangrove zone has soil that is only inundated by exceptional high tides. Here the soil is more compact and contains more clay. This zone also has the largest number of species.* *â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Selection of Plants, for Greening of Waterways and Waterbodies in the Tropicsâ&#x20AC;?

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gōngdì píngmiàntú | site plan Buloh Mangrove ilit

ib Vis

Mandai Mangrove

y li

Lifted boardwalk New shoreline

Viewing platform

Pavilion

Contract limit

Mangrove

Pavilion Lifted boardwalk

Lifted boardwalk

Restrooms

ility

ib Vis

Mangrove

line

Existing mangrove habitat

Lifted boardwalk

Former railway line

Viewing platform Mangrove

Industrial area Trodden path

New shoreline Parking space Restrooms Industrial area

Contract limit

1:15.000

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pang sua canal masterplan, illustrations, vegetation, cross section

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1. The signal hut in 1989 from where the level crossing was controlled 2. One of the trains rolling through the open landscape along the canal 3. A maintenance train driving through a level crossing along the Pang Sua Canal 4. Motorcyclists waiting for the train to cross the road 5. A control panel at the signal hut at the level crossing

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pang sua canal The historcal river landscape The area along the Pang Sua Canal is a low-lying point on the island and historically known for flooding. The area has formerly been a mangrove swamp connected to the Kranji Mangrove to the north while the canal, connected to the Kranji Reservoir and the Johor Strait via an estuary, was a natural stream for many years. As the city developed and the hard cityscape expanded the mangrove landscape and the Pang Sua stream, like many other natural waterways, were concretized to discharge the increased volume of run-off water to the sea. During the era of the railway line, the site functioned as a level crossing, a stretch where the former railway line were intersecting the road system. This caused the necessity of a signalling control hut, a control master and booms to avoid collisions between trains and cars.* Today the site is a neglected and disconnected part of the railway line since it is closed off by locked metal fences. In this proposal the canal is reconstructed as a natural waterway. The canal undergoes a softscaping and naturalisation of the concrete edges to reappear as a natural stream. The design is both a visual nod to the historical wetland period as it is a solution to address flooding and future sea level rise. The transformation of the canal into a river requires a series of bioengineering techniques and the combination of natural materials such as vegetation and rocks. The river is designed based on a flood plain concept whereby during dry weather, the river flow will be confined to a narrow stream in the middle of the river. In the event of a storm, the water level in the river will rise and the area adjacent to the river will be used as a flood plain to contain the rainwater. Visitors can enjoy the meandering river, its beauty and serenity as a resting point along the trail. Furthermore, visitors can experience the colorful flora and fauna that flourish in the area because of the waterway. Visitors can choose to head down to the river and stroll along the waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edge during dry weather or they can choose to keep on the path running along the edge. A new fishing and viewing platform and pavilions will be added for residents in the area to enjoy.

* https://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com

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wèilái | future

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Naturalized river

Pavilion Viewing platform

Existing trodden path / former railway line

Field of wild grasses

Bed substrate

1:250

Wood cribwall Brush layer of rooted and selected aquatic plants

1. Acorus gramineus

2. Calla palustris

3. Chrysopogon zizanioides

4. Dillenia suffruticosa

The canal is naturalized via the use of soil bioengineering techniques. Bioengineering not only stabilises the slopes of the riverbank, they also protect the slopes from erosion during storms and heavy rainfalls as they convey storm water via overland flow and mild slopes. Furthermore the walls reduce the velocity of water flow and facilitate settlement and deposition of sand and silt, thus protecting the water quality of downstream water bodies. Last but not least, the green stabilisation technique promotes biodiversity, integrates with the surroundings and brings visitors closer to water.

*“A Selection of Plants, for Greening of Waterways and Waterbodies in the Tropics” and “ABC Waters Design Guidelines”

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gōngdì píngmiàntú | site plan

Construction site

Living area Grasses

Former railway line

land

od Wo

Pavilion

Expressway

Flyover Existing Park Connector

Grasses Construction site Pavilion

Existing trodden path

Parking space

Viewing platform

Original canal New naturalized river

Bridge

Underground path

Pavilion Existing trodden path

College Primary School

Living area

Rd ds

oo W

Secondary School

Parking space

Bridge

Former railway line

1:5000

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SUMMARY CONCLUSION This thesis proposes different solutions to address some of the challenges faced by Singapore, an Asian mega-city with a rapid urbanisation and an exploding buildup cityscape. The challenges involve a lack of green space, flooding and a tendency not to preserve cultural and historical sites during the fast process of developing and expanding the city. The project of this thesis is situated along an abandoned railway line. The site is a precious piece of land in this densely populated island, but awaits a transformation to face the needs and challenges of the city-state today. Through deliberate architectural actions the proposal reveals and improves existing potentials along the former railway line. Potentials both in terms of cultural heritage such as historical elements and landmarks, but also in terms of natural heritage such as significant landscapes. These potentials are in this proposal restored and emphasized via new functions and usages. Furthermore the proposal gives examples of how to address future climate changes, and how it can be integrated in the proposed design. The proposal transforms the site of a a post-industrial landscape into a new ecological and recreational corridor. It anticipates the inevitable patterns of flooding and rising water levels. Moreover, it even visually tells the history and genius loci of the site. CHALLENGES In this proposal most of the site serve as a water catchment area. Paved areas, concrete canals and underground pipes have been transformed to natural landscapes with wet and soft ground. These are ready to absorb the excess water caused by rising sea levels or increased rainfall. Further treatment of the water may be necessary in a realizatin of the project, buy this proposal shows a great example for future development with water management in mind. The project looks at both the large and small scale. This is because it has been necessary to analyse both the surrounding areas and the human scale and spatiality of the proposed areas. It has been a challenge to navigate between both scales and to do detailed designs on a site of this scale. Another challenge has been accommodating different desires of various stakeholders. While considering governmental interests, the focus is on citizens as they will be primary users. In order to keep the genius loci of the site visible, it is important to communicate the siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history to the citizens. This should be done subtly and in innovate ways to prevent the site seeming like a museum. If the project is anchored locally, the authentic history of the site will certainly attract tourists eventually. Furthermore, it could be difficult to introduce this project due its lack of absence in wealth and prestige. The majority of new development projects in Singapore are by desires for profit through property speculation, and often not for the relationship to any specific context. The site itself was discovered by chance but has been the perfect site for working on a large scale and investigating the tension between nature and culture. It has been fantastic getting to know the country from the inside through this project. It has been especially interesting to meet the locals. From taxi drivers to professionals working in the National Archives. It has been great hearing their personal stories and recollections associated with the site. However it has also been challenging working in an alien culture with strange flora and fauna. At times it has been difficult finding material and getting the required information. Ultimately, it has been a long, educational journey, and I have greatly benefitted from the experience.

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DISCUSSION This thesis is primarily a landscape architectural project, but it is also a part of an ongoing political discussion regarding social and environmental issues. These issues include rapid urbanization, high population density and future climate changes. In Singapore these issues have been discussed for many years. The country is now a leading nation in greenery and liveability, and the well-known brand, “City in a Garden”, is proudly embraced among planners and governmental stakeholders. For many years the city has been associated with this brand, but Singapore ultimately lacks aspiration as the vision is too narrow and safe. According to the dictionary, the definition of a “garden” is an “enclosed space” often a “cultivated area”*. Just having a green environment is too easy to strive for in a tropical climate where everything seems to grow. In my opinion this vision leads to monotony in the urban landscape. When the whole of Singapore is a large, enclosed amusement park with a high level of maintenance and cultivation means you literally cannot ‘see the wood for the trees’. The incessant activity that has made Singapore an economic powerhouse in the region also decimated the biodiversity, which makes it even more important to ensure that a semblance of the original flora and fauna remains for the future. Much of Singapore’s green areas and wildlife habitats actually comprise of unprotected areas outside the jurisdiction of National Parks where natural habitats and native species still can be found. These include land for defense purpose, abandoned orchards and kampungs, and the railway lands, to name a few. Perhaps it is time to turn the paradigm upside down to “The City of 1000 Landscapes”, to mark the green spaces as unique lands and areas with unique faunas and floras. This way the definition of Singapore’s “garden” can be a broad and integrated landscape, where there is greater connectivity from nature reserves to parks to urban areas and a distinction in identity between them. Hopefully, this will protect these natural heritage sites as well as the cultivated gardens. Besides from natural heritage sites Singapore also has a lot of cultural heritage and historical sites with a value equal to that of its nature and landscapes. In an era where there is a growing interest in the nation’s heritage and culture, this expanded vision could easily include these sites. It would add a new perspective to the discussion of how to preserve and transform unique cultural heritage sites in a modern city. In this project the cultural heritage is also a part of a political discussion between two countries, which has been ungoing for several years. Disagreements that may have delayed and hampered the transformation of this post-industrial site. As a landscape architect you only play a minor part in this great discussion, but this project could be an example of how landscape architecture could build bridges between people, just by adding simple architectural interventions. To emphasize the great shared remembrances instead of leaving behind the visual open wounds of political decisions. Hopefully this project will be an inspiring example of how to appreciate and respect the island’s great potential. It is an example of the importance of preserving Singapore’s natural and historical qualities. This project shows how it is possible with minimal architectural interventions to create a historical trail full of experiences without compromising on the sometimes wild natural qualities on site. Over time the project will hopefully have a positive impact on the comprehensive planning of the city. It presents a new way of developing and transforming historical, hidden gems in to the vision of shaping “The City of 1000 Landscapes”. * http://www.denstoredanske.dk

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references Books and pamphlets Arkitektskolen Aarhus, Lars Nicolai Bock: “Transformation, Tankemodel” Centre for Liveable Cities and Urban Land Institute (2013): “10 Principles for Liveable High-Density-Cities, Lessons from Singapore” Descombes, George (1999): “Recovering Landscape: Essays in Contemporary Landscape Architecture: “Shiffting Sites: The Swiss Way, Geneva””, Princeton Architectural Press Høyer, Steen (2008): “Landskabskunst 2”, Kunstakademiets Arkitektskoles Forlag KTM Berhad, Corporate Headquarters: “Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, a history in remembrance 1932-2011” Lousiana Museum of Modern Art (2014): “Det Arabiske Nu - arkitektur og identitet”, published by Rosendahls Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (2012): “New Nordic, arkitektur og identitet”, published by Rosendahls National Parks: “A Guide to Pond Gardens at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park” National Parks: “A Guide to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Trail” National Parks Board, Dr. Chua Ee Kiam (2010): “Wetlands in a City”, Singapore, 1st edition Nature Society Singapore: “The Green Corridor - A Proposal to Keep the Railway Lands as a Continous Green Corridor” Norberg-Schulz, Christian (1979): “Genius Loci, Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture”, published by Rizzoli Public Utilities Board (“PUB”) (2011): “ABC Waters Design Guidelines”. Singapore, 2nd edition, 6 July 2011. Public Utilities Board (“PUB”), The Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES) (2013): “Managing Urban Runoff - Drainage Handbook”. 1st edition Statens Vegvesen (2010): “Detour - Architecture and Design along 18 National Tourist Routes in Norway”, 4th edition Yong, Jean W. H. et al., National Park Boards, Technological University, Public Utilities Board (2010): “A Selection of Plants, for Greening of Waterways and Waterbodies in the Tropics”, Singapore

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Web http://travel.cnn.com/singapore/visit/gallery-last-train-stop-singapores-tanjongpagar-railway-station-148041 http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/transport/story/proposed-stops-klsingapore-high-speed-rail-20140703 (visited 29.08.2014) http://www.mom.gov.sg http://www.pub.gov.sg http://nparks.gov.sg (visited 29.04.2014) http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg (visited 28.04.2014) http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg (visited 28.04.2014) http://www.singstat.gov.sg/publications/publications_and_papers/cop2010/census10_ stat_release3.html (visited 09.05.14) http://www.danskbeton.dk (visited 15.06.2014) http://en.unesco.org (visited 21.08.2014) http://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com (visited 22.08.2014) http://thegreencorridor.org (visited 29.08.2014) http://florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg (visited 27.08.2014) http://www.denstoredanske.dk (visited 28.08.2014) http://www.nas.gov.sg/nas/ (visited 28.08.2014) http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/ (visited 29.08.2014)

Photos All historical pictures is taken by David Teo, http://thegreencorridor.org, http://5stonesphoto.com/blog/, Henry Corderio and Jerome Lim, http:// thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com Other pictures not taken by myself are found at http://flickr.com and http://google.com

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Sara Amanda Westergaard Bruun vkb604 Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management Landscape Architecture University of Copenhagen