The Green Heart

The centre of Singapore (one of the greenest cities in the world) is often referred to as the city’s “green heart”.

There’s greenery between buildings, up the sides of buildings, on top of buildings, and some buildings (like the solarpowered supertrees below) created specifically to house more greenery.

The figure behind the concept of the green city, former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, is often referred to as ‘Chief Gardener’. His vision was for a “clean and green Singapore”, and it’s said that he pushed for it in a controversial combination of sensible and authoritarian ways.

Seems Singapore wasn’t always green though – up until the 60’s it had open wastewater problems, polluted rivers and a general issue of cleanliness. The effort to become one of the greenest cities in the world had a bold and very long-term vision behind it – looks like it’s paid off.

How about these photos! (by @bennytgh)