Did you know that more than half of Singapore’s land is covered in green spaces? While many cities around the world strive to increase their green space coverage, Singapore stands out for its uniquely high proportion, setting a benchmark in urban sustainability. This incredible achievement places the city among the world’s leading examples of urban sustainability and biophilic design, where the coexistence of urban areas and thriving ecosystems is not just an ideal but a practical reality.
Singapore’s transformation from a “Garden City” in the 1960s to today’s global model of sustainable development and urban governance has relied on bold ideas, ongoing research, and significant funding. This approach considers various aspects—ecological, social, and economic—ensuring a comprehensive strategy for urban sustainability. These efforts ensure parks, gardens, nature reserves, and even community gardens are more than scenic views—they are essential urban infrastructure that supports economic development, wellbeing, and environmental protection for future generations. This article explores how green spaces in Singapore, from iconic Bukit Timah Nature Reserve to the best community gardens, have evolved into vital lifelines connecting people, city, and nature, highlighting the importance of green spaces in shaping both community and economy.Key Laksa Types in Singapore:
Katong Laksa: The quintessential Singaporean version. It’s known for a rich, creamy, and slightly sweet coconut gravy. The noodles are famously cut into shorter lengths, so you can eat the whole dish with just a spoon.
Curry Laksa: Very similar to Katong laksa, but it often has a stronger curry powder kick. You might also find chicken or other meats in the mix.
Assam Laksa: Hailing from Penang, this is the polar opposite of the creamy versions. It has a sour, tangy fish-based broth made with tamarind (assam). It’s garnished with fresh mint, pineapple, and torch ginger flower for a refreshing punch.
Singapore’s laksa scene stands out because of its Peranakan influence, which blends Chinese ingredients with Malay spice pastes (rempah). The result is a flavour that’s uniquely complex, balanced, and utterly addictive.
The Social Impact: Green Spaces in Singapore as Community Connectors
Green spaces in Singapore—be it lush nature parks, the historic Singapore Botanic Gardens, or creative use of void decks as community gardens—play an important role as “social infrastructure.” These spaces are where city life slows and the lines between diverse cultures and generations blur, fostering genuine community. Whether you’re strolling through a park, attending a family event under covered pavilions, or gathering at a neighbourhood garden to grow plants and vegetables, these areas facilitate cross-cultural interaction that strengthens the social fabric.
Singapore’s approach to HDB green initiatives highlights urban governance that sees underutilized land as opportunity. These efforts are strongly supported by local policies and institutional frameworks that encourage sustainable urban development and community engagement. By transforming empty void decks and courtyards into vibrant green spaces, urban systems bring together people from all walks of life—children playing, seniors gardening, families connecting—showcasing green infrastructure as a solution for community building Singapore. These hubs often serve as venues for festivals, exercise groups, and mental wellness workshops, linking environmental and social benefits at multiple levels. For instance, community garden projects don’t just offer space to grow edible plants or vegetables but act as catalysts for lifelong friendships and intergenerational learning, critical for a multicultural, rapidly evolving urban environment. You can explore how Singapore’s neighbourhoods are unique, contributing to the development of strong community ties, in our article What Makes Singapore Neighbourhoods Unique?Community Gardens in Singapore: Growing Food and Relationships
The surge in community gardens Singapore over the last decade is a testament to a city’s commitment to sustainable development and resourceful use of urban land. With more than 1,800 of such gardens identified across the island, these spaces represent not just a love for plants but a powerful response to issues like food security and community resilience. Alongside gardens, urban and community farm projects in Singapore are transforming available land into productive farms that grow vegetables, fruits, and other produce, further contributing to sustainability and self-sufficiency. From high-rise rooftop gardens to shared plots in neighbourhood parks Singapore, cultivating vegetables, herbs, and fruit is now part of daily life for many residents.
Community gardens make farming accessible even in the heart of the city. They offer chances for residents to learn new green skills such as composting, energy use reduction through sustainable farming practices, and the cultivation of ecosystem services like pollination. These garden spaces transcend age, ethnicity, and economics—an elderly neighbour might teach children how to grow plants, while working professionals may discover shared passion for sustainable food and environmental initiatives. Edible plants become the medium for intergenerational and cross-cultural exchange, supporting sustainability efforts and strengthening social bonds in tangible ways. The best community gardens also provide inspiration for other cities facing space constraints, demonstrating how urban areas can incorporate vibrant, productive green networks into their infrastructure. Learn about the Community in Bloom (CIB) programme, which has over 2,000 registered community gardening groups across the island.Regional Showcase: Nature Parks and Green Spaces Across Singapore
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
In the central region, the majestic Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, with its ancient forest and abundant fauna, supports biodiversity and ecosystem services while providing residents with direct access to nature and scenic views. This reserve exemplifies the city’s balanced approach to environmental protection and economic growth.Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
The Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is renowned for its migratory birds and thriving mangrove ecosystems. Here, visitors and residents alike can observe native wildlife and appreciate the vital role wetlands play in the city’s environmental sustainability strategy.Tampines Eco Green
In the East, Tampines Eco Green is designed around urban sustainability principles, combining wetlands and wildflower meadows for both wildlife and humans to explore. This distinctive space underlines Singapore’s drive to fuse conservation with recreation, encouraging sustainable development within the urban environment.Tiong Bahru’s Hidden Gardens
In Tiong Bahru, hidden gardens nestled among art deco apartments capture the creative use of limited land and maintain a sense of community amidst the hustle. These pockets of green represent how thoughtful urban planning can maintain community connections and support sustainable living.Jurong Lake Gardens
Jurong Lake Gardens in the West shows how large-scale projects integrate therapeutic gardens, water features, and expansive lawns, giving every age group space to relax while supporting community building Singapore on an impressive scale. Each of these green spaces demonstrates how urban environment planning, with a focus on sustainability and inclusivity, creates more resilient neighbourhoods and enhances quality of life.The Park Connector Network: Linking Green Spaces and Communities in Singapore
One of the island’s most remarkable urban governance achievements is the Singapore Park Connector Network (PCN)—a 300-kilometre tapestry of pathways linking parks, nature reserves, housing estates, and the wider green landscape. This network physically and symbolically unites communities, reducing the need for energy use (with many paths supporting electric vehicles and cycling) and offering residents opportunities to explore unfamiliar parts of the city. The PCN serves as a valuable resource for both residents and the city, supporting recreation, mobility, and environmental well-being.
Traversing the PCN, you’ll discover a tapestry of cultures, edible plant gardens, and innovative green neighbourhood initiatives. By making it easy for families to brunch in a different neighbourhood or for fitness enthusiasts to jog past new developments, the PCN weaves together the land, nature, and community, creating a stronger shared identity. The network also plays a crucial role in managing and connecting green resources across Singapore, supporting the stewardship and sustainable use of natural assets. In Singapore, where half the population lives in public housing, these connectors open up a world of experiences and help maintain a high standard of life and sustainability.
Therapeutic Value of Green Spaces and Wellbeing Benefits in Singapore
Mounting research from Singapore and other cities underscores the positive relationship between green spaces and mental and emotional wellbeing. These benefits are in part due to the accessibility of urban nature, which encourages residents to spend time outdoors, decrease stress, and connect with both environment and each other. The specially designed Therapeutic Gardens in parks like HortPark and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park use particular plants, sounds, and textures to optimize healing, especially for seniors and those with cognitive challenges. The process of planning and integrating these wellbeing initiatives into the urban environment involves careful selection of locations, design elements, and community engagement to ensure their effectiveness.
Some healthcare institutions now issue “nature prescriptions,” encouraging patients to spend time in these restorative environments—a clear reflection of the role green spaces play in preventive healthcare and sustainable development. These initiatives further Singapore’s aim to support sustainability in public health as part of a broader commitment to holistic urban systems.
Find out about specially curated Therapeutic Gardens designed to improve well-being, including locations like HortPark and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.
Conclusion
Green spaces in Singapore are much more than ornamental; they are central to the city’s culture, economy, and sustainability journey. As part of Singapore’s national identity and pride, its green initiatives showcase a commitment to being a true Garden City. By integrating gardens, parks, reserves, and community farming spaces into the urban fabric, Singapore sets a global benchmark for supporting sustainability, facilitating economic development, conserving ecosystem services, and ensuring quality of life for future generations.
Whether you are growing vegetables in a community garden, exploring Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, or cycling along the Park Connector Network, every green initiative contributes to a resilient, creative, and adaptable city. As you wander through the Singapore Botanic Gardens or participate in a neighbourhood gardening project, you’ll find green spaces are not just part of the land—they are the very heart of the community, aiding urban sustainability. Singapore’s efforts are further complemented by renewable energy initiatives, supporting responsible energy use and a thriving future for all who call this island home.
The Perfect Sidekicks
A bowl of laksa is a meal in itself, but the right side dishes can make it even better.
- Side Dishes: Look for otah-otah, a grilled fish paste in a banana leaf. Its smoky flavour is a perfect match for the creamy gravy.
- Drinks: Cut through the richness with a glass of calamansi lime juice or a refreshing iced barley drink.
- Desserts: Cool down with a classic Singaporean dessert like ice kachang or chendol.
Now You’re Ready to Create Your Own Laksa Adventure
From Katong to Chinatown, from creamy bowls to tangy Assam delights, Singapore’s laksa scene offers something for every palate.
The “best” laksa isn’t just about the most famous stall—it’s the one that speaks to you, warms your soul, and leaves you wanting more.
So go explore, and slurp your way through one of the world’s greatest noodle dishes.
