M I L E S T O N E 51
AT HOME IN A GLOBAL CITY
Celebrating its 40th year of independence, Singapore set up its ambition to be a vibrant global city. The effort started with the rejuvenation of the heartlands with HDB blocks renewed and transformed by the different upgrading programmes. Along the central shopping belt of Orchard Road to the arts and schools district of Bras Basah and Bugis, there was more activity and street life. The Marina Bay Area, the waterfront in the heart of the city, was the centrepiece of the redevelopment effort. A business and financial centre was located on Marina South, while the Integrated Resort (Marina Bay Sands) was built next to it. These developments were set to attract tourists and create thousands of new jobs in the years to come. Today, after a decade-long effort, the Bayfront has become the new signature image for Singapore, with the creation of the Gardens by the Bay and the Marina Barrage. Together with a dense network of bridges, walkways, promenades, they have transformed the area into a venue for walks, jogs and mass sporting events. The surrounding waters – used for boating, sailing and dragon boat races – are a constant buzz of activity.
“We shouldn’t compete for the biggest, tallest, fanciest, most opulent because we don’t have oil and gas. But we must capitalise on our strengths. And what are they? Our multicultural heritage, our clean and safe environment, our disciplined and energetic people, a cosmopolitan and open society, and then we can make Singapore a vibrant global city, not just for tourists but for our own people to create an outstanding living environment for all Singaporeans years.” – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his 2005 National Day Rally.
Top left: The Pinnacle@Duxton, a residential project featuring the world’s two longest sky gardens, was launched in 2009. Left: More than 2,000 runners took off at the starting point at the Marina Barrage for the biennial Sundown Ultramarathon in Sep 2013.
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