|
2002-22: Tomorrow, 2pm - NSS' Public Forum on URA/NParks' Parks & Waterbodies Plan
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Habitatnews 2002-22: Friday, 27th September 2002
The Habitat Group's Nature Information List
To subscribe, email: habitatnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Nature-related news that the busy Singaporean might otherwise miss
More information and archives at: <http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg>
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 28th September: Public Forum by the Nature Society
(Singapore) on URA's Parks & Waterbodies Plan
Note: this is a public forum so all are welcome!
If you have had problems making head or tail of the exhibition, or
wondering where to begin, the forum will be a good place to start.
“This forum will be held at the Geylang East Community Library,
Merpati Hall from 2.00 to 4.30pm. The Nature Society (Singapore)
is organising this forum, chaired by Dr Ho Hua Chew, Chairman of the
NSS Conservation Committee.
Take the MRT to Aljunied Station, and walk under the MRT track some
200 metres to the library.
Drive along Sims Ave, passed the Aljunied MRT Station, turn left at the
traffic light junction into Geylang East Ave 1, park your car at the carpark
next to the MRT track.
The Forum will discuss the Plan's proposals to (1) Open up more areas of
natural beauty (2) Open up more waterfronts (3) Develop 5 new parks (4)
Enlarge selected parks, (5) Link parks to bring them closer to people, (6)
Create a variety of streetscapes and (7) Grow more gardens in the sky.
The strengths and weaknesses of each of the Plan's proposals will be
discussed along with suggestions for enhancement. Emphasis will be on
proposals affecting Nature Areas such as the Central Catchment Nature
Reserve, Kranji Marshes and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parks & Waterbodies Plan and Identity Plan Exhibition
------------------------------------------------------------------------
“The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is organising an exhibition on its
two new plans--Parks and Waterbodies Plan and Identity Plan at the URA
Centre at 45 Maxwell Road from July 23 to October 22, 2002. Opening hours
are 9am to 7pm from Mondays to Fridays and 9am - 5pm on Saturdays.
Alternatively you may visit their website at <http://www.ura.gov.sg/pwbid/>.
These two plans will provide the framework for the URA's Master Plan review
(to be completed by 2003) and contains proposals by URA for up to 2015.
The Parks and Waterbodies Plan, drawn in conjunction with the National Parks
Board, aims to enhance our green spaces, waterbodies and living environment
by adopting the following proposals: € Open up more areas of natural beauty
€ Open up more waterfronts € Develop 5 new parks € Enlarge selected parks €
Link parks to bring them closer to you € Create a variety of streetscapes €
Grow more gardens in the sky
Areas affected by these proposals include the Central Catchment Nature
Reserve and adjacent areas and the 'Northern Wetlands' comprising Sungei
Buloh, Kranji Mangrove and Kranji Marshes. There are ideas to provide
additional trails, boardwalks, boating venues and mountain biking trails,
open-air stages for performances, eco-lodges and even a scenic drive to
promote public access to the Central Catchment.
Another idea is for new nature parks to link the mangroves of Sungei Buloh
and the Kranji dam with the Kranji freshwater marshes through a 5km long
boardwalk. Some of these ideas whilst promoting access and awareness of our
nature areas may not be exactly ideal for nature conservation. In addition,
whilst the plan to add and expand new green areas and parks and to make use
of Interim Green is laudable, it is worrying that some of the original
Nature Areas have not been included, eg Sungei Khatib Bongsu, Mandai
Estuary and Pulau Tekong Besar.
The Identity Plan serves to recognize, retain and enhance identity and our
built heritage and involves ideas for connecting the Southern Ridges and the
Rustic North-east Coast (including Pulau Ubin) and the urban villages.
All members are encouraged to visit the Exhibition or the URA’s website to
provide feedback and suggestions concerning these plans. As the ideas and
possibilities detailed in the Plans are by no means final, your inputs may
help to shape the eventual Plans, making them green not just to people but
wildlife as well.”
By Lim Kim Seng,
Executive Officer,
Nature Society (Singapore)
Source: NSS webpage at: <http://www.nss.org.sg>
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Submit your opinions to the URA Draft Concept Plan for
Parks & Water Bodies and Identities at <http://www.ura.gov.sg/pwbid/>
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Click to fight world hunger <http://www.hungersite.com>
--------------------------------------------------------------------
More news at Ecology Asia (note new address)
<http://www.ecologyasia.com/Top-Level/eco-news.htm>
--------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Having problems with message search?
Fill out this form to ensure your group is one of the first to be migrated to the new message search system.
Offline 
Send Email