“If a garden is well maintained and neatly landscaped, there must be a dedicated and efficient gardener”
Lee Kuan Yew
Just as envisioned by Lee Kuan Yew, the vibrant ‘Garden City’ incorporates lush greenery into its urban infrastructure, creating a striking illusion of a city in a garden. However, Singapore’s first Prime Minister also dreamed of a sustainable future for Singapore.
Sandeep and Chitra from the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) spoke to us about eco-efficiency, and the importance of sustainability through smarter consumption to protect both the environment and support Singapore’s continuing interest in existing as both a clean and independent nation. As Singapore exists as an influential trading hub in its region, changing how business is done in Singapore will ultimately improve sustainability in neighbouring countries.
We later visited the Ground-Up Initiative’s Kampung Kampus, where volunteers work to cultivate a sustainable future for Singaporeans through education, and interaction with nature. I was surprised to find such a natural environment given Singapore’s shortage of land space. While GUI focuses on encouraging sustainability through harmony with nature, WWF encourages market transformation and sustainable finance, by positioning businesses to consider the consequences of their trading, and more environmentally driven governance. However, both organisations only feel capable of encouraging change with the government’s support. In a communitarian democracy, the Singaporean government positions its citizens to frame littering as antisocial behaviour, while also protecting the environment. However, messages of ‘consume less’ and ‘care more’ are in stark contrast to the capitalist underpinnings of Singapore’s successful economy and relations with other nations.
The creation of solar-powered ‘super trees’ at Gardens by the Bay is a positive step in the right direction for Singapore’s future. However, while it appears that Singapore successfully achieves Lee Kuan Yew’s ‘garden city’ vision, responsibility must be shifted onto individuals to change their attitudes towards adapting to environmental concerns, as they do to advance their economy by using innovation to overcome natural constraints, to secure sustainability for future generations.
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