Living in a Garden
Singapore embarked on a greening journey to enhance the quality of living for the people, and make our island-state distinctive and attractive.
As Singapore evolves from Garden City into a City in a Garden— "a bustling metropolis nestled in a lush mantle of tropical greenery" – our greenery plan has also entered a new phase of development. More innovative and sophisticated greening strategies have been adopted to add new dimensions to green spaces, and heritage and biodiversity preservation and community involvement objectives have also been highlighted.
Six key areas have been identified by NParks to guide efforts towards fulfilling our City in a Garden vision:
- Engaging and inspiring communities to co-create a greener Singapore
More than 850 community gardens have been added to make our towns and cityscape greener, thanks to a self-motivated network of residents, schools and organisations volunteering time and effort.
- Enhancing competencies of our landscape and horticulture industry
Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology, a national training institution for the landscape industry, has been set up to raise skills standards and industry productivity and research new solutions in urban greening and conservation.
- Enriching biodiversity in our urban environment
On top of ensuring the health of key species and ecosystems, restoring our natural areas and enhancing our country's nature reserves, extending biodiversity further into the urban landscape will also enrich our urban living.
Crimson sunbird harvesting food.
Photo credit: Han Xuan Yan
- Establishing world-class gardens
The Singapore Botanic Gardens and Gardens by the Bay have earned premier world-class reputations, showcasing the best in horticulture and garden artistry and capturing the imagination of the world.
- Optimising urban spaces for greenery and recreation
Thematic greenways linking major parks, nature sites and housing estates, high-rise gardens, even spaces below MRT tracks could all be optimised for introducing and enhancing greenery.
- Rejuvenating urban parks and enlivening streetscape
By developing streetscape gardens and introducing more flowering species, our streetscape will become even more vibrant, and our urban parks will be more attractive as leisure destinations where Singaporeans can all come together to play, celebrate and connect.
Greening has been an integral part of Singapore's development since the 1960s.
Biodiversity and greenery play crucial roles in providing ecosystem services, improving human health and well-being, and securing the quality of life for city dwellers.
Greening of Housing Estates
Skyrise Greenery
Flourishing greenery on rooftops and facades give a touch of nature and visual relief to crowded estates. Today, there are more than 65ha of skyrise greenery.
Community Gardens
There are more than 850 community gardens with over 20,000 community gardeners involved.
Greening of the City
Park Connector Network (PCN)
Park Connector Networks serve as "green corridors" that provide Singaporeans with additional recreational options and connect parks together.
Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is a first-of-its-kind tropical garden that pushes the boundaries of how plant life can be presented in an urban environment for public enjoyment.
Fusing nature, architecture and technology in a sustainable way, the Gardens' cooled conservatories enable a whole new world of plants to be grown in Singapore while its Supertrees take skyrise greenery to new heights.
Preserving Our Natural Heritage
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
With an extensive mangrove forest and rich biodiversity, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is Singapore's first ASEAN Heritage Park and an important stop-over for migratory birds.
Mangroves at SBWR
Photo Credit: Jeremy Ang
Smooth Otter found at SBWR
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has one of the largest patches of primary rainforest left in Singapore, as well as the tallest hill. The reserve is home to 40% of our nation's flora and fauna.
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Singapore Botanic Gardens Bandstand
Photo credit: Chew Bee See
Singapore's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Gardens is the first in Asia and the only tropical botanical gardens on the list.
Labrador Nature Reserve
Labrador Nature Reserve is home to the only rocky shore on mainland Singapore. Its coastal cliffs covered in secondary vegetation shelter a wide variety of birdlife. The reserve is also rich in history, with fierce battles fought here in World War II.
Pulau Ubin
Pulau Ubin is one of Singapore's last rural areas. At Chek Jawa Wetlands, six major habitats converge, making it one of the best places in Singapore to observe and study a variety of marine and terrestrial animals.
Pulau Ubin, view from jetty
Peacock Anemone
Flatworm (Pseudoceros sp.)
Visit NParks' Website to find out more