PROJECT L - CYCLING NETWORK FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT

Issues and Characters of Future Development

Issues and Characters of Future Development

Proposed Green Spine

Surface Water flow Future Development Plan

Due to the influence of topography, the surface runoff mainly goes South-wards of the new development, with main open drainage being constructed. Landscape typologies could be leverage on current rainwater flow conditions for the integration of rain gardens.

The major future development is Commercial (30 hectare, almost 4 times the area of Biopolis), Business (12 hectare) and Residential 4.9 hectare for parkland

Elevation Challenges for Accessibility

Existing Vehicle Flow

One-North Avenue is identified to be the key internal spine for vehicle transportation, with the flyover built on Portsdown Ave.

Accessibility of Bus & Pedeatrian Flow

Limited accessibility of buses to new development areas, which mainly access from west boundary main roads

STRATEGY I: CONTINUITY - Resolve the accessibility barrier caused by topography by forging new connections through different elevations

Forge

STRATEGY II: CONTINUITY - Redesign Vechicle and People Flow to Minimize disturbance

Improved Vehicle Flow

To direct the major flow away from One-North Avenue, and reduce future congestions

Proposed Pedestrian Flow

For enabling the pedestrians to quickly and directly access their destinations in buildings, while minimizing the number of conflicts

STRATEGY III: Strategize Green Spines and Open Spaces for Future Development with integration of Cycling lane and Network

CYCLING LANE TYPOLOGIES

One-way Cycling Lane along Roads

Elevation Transition

2nd-Level Cycling Track

DETAIL FLOW Location C

Two elevations of Cycling Tracks / Lanes

DETAIL FLOW Location E

DETAIL FLOW

Cycling Routes

Route | Destination 1 to 2 from Portsdown Avenue to Rail Corridor

- Going through Location A, C, E

- Total distance 1.75km

Crossing at intersection - 2 times (+2min)

Other road crossing - 2 times (not main road, internal circulation) - no waiting, may slow down (+1min)

Pedestrian crossing - 2 - no waiting, may slow down

Car porch - 0 - no slow down

Travelling time with speed of 20km/h - 5.25min, counting in 3min additional of waiting / slowing down

- Total time 8.25min

Route | Destination 3 to 4 from Rail Corridor to AYE

- Going through Location F, B

- Total distance 1.39km

Crossing at intersection - 1 time (+1min)

Other road crossing - 3 times (+1min)

Car porch - 1 - may slow down (+0.5min)

Travelling time with speed of 20km/h - 4.14 min, with 2.5min additional - Total time 6.64min

A. Buona Vista MRT Junction_Wang Hanfeng B. Siemens Medical Factory_Xu Yuexin

E. Ghim Moh Cycling Estate_Kuan Wai Tuck Victor F. Cycling Town in Ghim Moh_Liu Xiaolei

I. Spine in Commonwealth Avenue_Wang Zhe J. Cycling in Dover Road_Lam Si Yun Swan

C. JTC Launchpad_Yong Keng-Whye, Raymond D. Commonwealth MRT_Kong Lingchang

G. Cycling Through Indoor and Outdoor_Xu Linxin H. Intra-Connecting Belts_Yao Haomu

K. Cycling Loop_Gao Chenchen L. Cycling Network for New Development_Fan Lei

This MLA studio gave me a different experience compared with the previous two studios. This studio was not only about landscape but also urban design. The design scale was emphasised during the thinking process. When doing the preliminary analysis, we started from large scale to small scale to understand the site context and specific user demands. By contrast, we did the design started from the point major destination to the network future cycling system. This whole process strengthened the logic of my thinking and helped me find the question with targeted solutions. In addition, I learned how to design with the human flow by simulating the process as the core of this studio was user experience. Finally, the group work improved my communication and cooperation skills while my presentation skill still needs to be enhanced in the future study.

Wang Hanfeng

I am very honoured to be involved in this MLA studio ‘Cycling in the Singapore’ and this study has given me a lot of gains. First of all, unlike the traditional landscape design studio, this design combines landscape design with cycling to explore the multi-scale and multifunctionality of landscape design. Secondly, developed our ability to learn and analyse independently. To understand the cycling system as much as possible, we read a lot of theory, cases and practice many new analysis tools such as thermal comfort tools, PTV Vissim in the preliminary analysis. The third is the way to think of different scales. Different from the previous large-scale planning, this time I chose a building as my mobility hub and do the intensify landscape planning at the limited factory space. All the experiences have given me a lot of inspiration.

Xu Yuexin

Everyday Cycling in Singapore studio was a challenging one. There were conflicting mobility infrastructures that one should be aware of, not only by cyclists but also pedestrians, motor vehicles and various types of mobility such as skateboards, scooters, PMDs, electric bikes into consideration. The studio allows me to work in a group where we shared constructive feedbacks and ideas. In a team, it requires good team management where every one of us has to be responsible of our tasks and fulfil them with quality in the limited time frameThis apply on how we would work and perform in the landscape architecture industry once we have graduated. It’s a valuable asset and trait which one should adopt and bring it to the landscape industry which is extremely important and beneficial.

Raymond Yong

This studio is my first attempt to engage with urban design with the landscape perspective, the focal point is workers’ daily lives, and design target is to promote cycling as Singapore’s subsidy transportation method. Although there are some limitations due to the lack of design restriction knowledge in complex urban components, this studio is still the best opportunity for students to explore the working scope as a landscape architect and integrated design could be a more creative concept as future design mainstream. Hopefully, there could be more opportunities for students to get in touch with different disciplinaries to have more brilliant ideas.

Kong Lingchang

This studio allowed us to explore and design the fundamentals of circulation and mobility. Previously, as a Singaporean, we may complain about the inaccessibility of our neighbourhood with a layman’s attitude, however, after this design adventure, I start to realise the difficulties decision-makers faced when attempting to improve the livelihood of the citizens, even with minor amendments. Though it may seem to be an easy topic, with the complexity of existing planning and policy in Singapore, it was a challenge to achieve the studio’s projected aim. As the first group-oriented studio project, this experience allows individuals to venture according to their strengths and lay a platform for a more effective peer-learning. The flexibility in analysing amenities, transport systems and circulation flow grant us the opportunities to use an array of software from ArcGIS to Vissim. Overall, it was an eye-opening journey that, made me see streetscapes, town infrastructures and movement from a different perspective.

In Singapore, landscape architects are always fighting with space and try to make it multi-functional. In this cycling studio, we compete with both space and existing complex infrastructure. This time, my design project aims to insert a continuous cycling system and keep it harmonious with the vehicle-oriented transportation system on a big scale. It’s not only required to consider designing for one layer but also taking the whole system and multi-layers into account. Especially when designing for urbanised cities, landscape architecture has to work with various systems.

Meanwhile, I realised there is no explicit and exclusive limitation for this profession. Learning how to cooperate with the other disciplines and employ their knowledge to work for landscape architecture project is helpful for the professional work. At last, thanks for my team members, I’ve gained a lot from the group work. This semester is challenging but meaningful, and I hope I could keep the perseverance but work smarter in the future.

Wang Zhe

This studio expands landscape boundary by integrating with architectural and urban planning approach which require us to learn more knowledge beyond landscape and give us a comprehensive understanding of how landscape-centric design can influence the whole urban environment. This experience is also quite challenging for us to explore unfamiliar design approaches. The design topic focuses on current essential issues in Singapore context: cycling is becoming more popular as a healthy and sustainable, but a considerable number of town are not integrated with cycling when planning. Learning to use landscape to promote transport network enrich my knowledge and inspiration. Last, working as a team allow us to help and learn from each other which is critical for our future professional works.

Liu Xiaolei

From this studio, I learned a lot of knowledge about the relationship between people and the built-up environment, mainly in the following aspects: the morphology of the city, human flow, open space utilisation and heat mitigation. Literature review in different aspects of policies, research methods and case studies, teaches me how to quantify and define the core issues according to the analysis from macro scale to micro scale. For example, based on the analysis of human density, traffic congestions, physical barriers, and the accessibility to public transport and amenities, we quantified the so-called mobility gaps and found the areas with the most issues for site selection. In addition, activating and fully utilising the available open spaces (outdoor and indoor) to create a smooth multi-layer flow with integrated heat mitigation strategies is another critical design method that the studio taught me.

Xu Lin Xin

The most important thing I learned from this studio is that being specific and in depth is also essential for a comprehensive solution. As a pre-cyclist for commuting, I have the experience that how would climate, urban planning and social context encourage or discourage people from cycling. Hence, the solution for promoting cycling should be comprehensive, which posed more challenges for this studio since that we need to start from arguing for the necessity of cycling to come up with a detailed operational solution within 12 weeks. Anyway, it’s a tough but good fight.

This semester’s experience was to me a definite ‘culture shock’. It has broadened my horizon by letting me peek into the world of landscape. It is mind-blowing to me regarding how much intricate details and data go into the whole planning process. Previously I thought that landscape was all about design and that having the artistic sense would be fundamental to its success. Having gone through one semester, however, I realised that the logical and practical aspects of it matter so much more. Its multi-faceted thinking required for thorough planning stretched me beyond what I would have imagined. I have come to appreciate and respect the fact that humans do not lord over nature. Furthermore, the wildlife is very much an essential part of the ecosystem, and hence we should take special care to share the same space in harmony, and this is precisely where landscape design can play such a vital role in finding that delicate balance in dividing the area between wildlife and human.an.

The studio of this semester focused on everyday cycling in Singapore, and we tried to find out the possibilities of designing bicycle lane in one north area. We started with the field trip in one north, and we rode bikes on the road to feel the real challenge for cyclists today in Singapore. We learned that design is not only from the perspective of designers but also from the users’ need. This studio is divided into three groups which allow us to approach the design from a different perspective and in this process we can learn from each other beyond our views. Hope that one day what we learn from this studio will apply to the real bicycle road construction in Singapore.

This studio drew my attention and interest to this special group of people who cycle to work in Singapore who are the definite minority for the moment. However, understanding the passion and benefits they obtained through commuting by cycling offers important potentials for strategising livability in Singapore’s urbanised environment and transforming lifestyles of its citizens. Designing with the existing transportation system and road infrastructures to integrate cycling lanes requires not only accessibility and continuity, but some of the key learnings also include the effectiveness in utilising the spaces and landscape architecture approaches in elaborating the experience, especially in preconceptualizing green spines for future development. Thanks to all the guidance, supports and helps throughout the semester, and thank my team for their commitments and hard work even during challenging moments. The teamwork indeed helped me improve my capacity to convey ideas and to collaborate in different stages of design.