New initiatives aim to integrate nature into urban spaces and promote smart, low-carbon living
Singapore and China have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing the sustainability of the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City, with new plans aimed at increasing the city’s greenery and promoting eco-friendly living. Announced on December 29 during the 13th Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Joint Steering Council Meeting, the collaboration includes a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the National Parks Board of Singapore (NParks) and the Tianjin Eco-City Administrative Committee of China.
The MOU will focus on embedding more green spaces within the Eco-City’s built environment and improving the natural surroundings for its residents and visitors. One of the key features of the initiative is the development of a 27-hectare green belt, which will be complemented by 18 kilometres of park connectors linking the city’s various green spaces. Additionally, the plan includes the creation of pocket parks at street corners within the central area of the Eco-City to promote nature and community engagement.
Minister for National Development Desmond Lee highlighted that the vision for the Eco-City, first established 13 years ago, is to create a model for sustainable urban development. Over the years, the city has transformed from a barren land into a thriving urban area, with the population growing from 20,000 in 2014 to more than 120,000 today. The Eco-City is increasingly seen as a vital example of how cities can adapt to environmental challenges, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, such as Singapore’s Green Plan 2030 and China’s carbon neutrality goals by 2060.
A key success of the project has been the rehabilitation of Jing Lake, once a polluted wastewater pond, now a thriving water body in the heart of the city. This project, alongside other environmental rehabilitation initiatives, has set the stage for more interconnected water and green systems within the Eco-City. Residents now enjoy cleaner rivers, lush greenery, and a vast network of parks and open spaces.
In addition to environmental efforts, Singapore and China are also expanding their collaboration on smart, low-carbon urban development. Keppel Land’s residential projects in the Eco-City are incorporating smart technology to improve the quality of life for residents, especially for the elderly and disabled, by connecting them with community volunteers. The company has also launched a smart, low-carbon mall equipped with energy-saving technologies, photovoltaics, and solar hot water systems.
With these initiatives, Singapore and China are poised to further elevate the Eco-City into a model of green, smart, and sustainable urban development, sharing innovations and scaling up their efforts to realise their vision for the next phase of the Eco-City’s growth.
