ABCs of Water - The PUB Project for opening up waterways.

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With over 30 rivers and canals, connecting with water should be as elementary as ABC, reports Tan Kheng Im.

Water has traditionally been a symbol of many good things. In many cultures, water has spiritual significance and is used for cleansing. Water is also known for its therapeutic effects and the Chinese, for example, regard shui or water as a symbol of wealth.

In the old days, people were naturally drawn to water and set up their homes near it. However, with growing urbanization, big drains and canals were built to channel away rainwater quickly to prevent floods.

PUB now wants to help everyone to reconnect with water and revive a lifestyle where water plays a central role. The Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Programme (or ABC Waters in short) aims to do just that.

"In Singapore, we have 32 major rivers and canals. These provide a host of opportunities for us to create many lifestyle attractions," said PUB's Chief Executive Khoo Teng Chye.

Picture this. You could carry your canoe down to the canal in your HDB estate and paddle in it, the same way people bring their bicycles and ride around the estate. Or you could sit by a pretty gurgling river and enjoy a satay meal, washing it down with some teh tarik. For the young and adventurous, you could have a concert with a beautiful water backdrops or zip above the waters on a flying fox.

Too good to be true? These can become a reality with the ABC Waters Programme. It will transform Singapore's waterbodies into active, beautiful and clean waters, making them a feature of Singapore's landscape. It will create community spaces for new lifestyle activities, offering more recreational options, and making the water bodies a lifestyle attraction to both young and old.

At the launch of the programme, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Dr Yaacob Ibrahim said: "The beautifying and landscaping of the waterways and reservoirs will ... enhance Singapore's reputation as a Garden City, or as some are calling it lately, a City in a Garden.

"It is also in line with our Prime Minister's vision of remaking Singapore into a vibrant and dynamic place we call home. The remaking of our water bodies and waterways will not only create new opportunities for Singaporeans to be close to nature and water, it will also help strengthen our social cohesiveness and our sense of belonging to Singapore."


With over 30 rivers and canals, connecting with water should be as
elementary as ABC, reports Tan Kheng Im.

Water has traditionally been a symbol of many good things. In many cultures, water has spiritual significance and is used for cleansing. Water is also known for its therapeutic effects and the Chinese, for example, regard shui or water as a symbol of wealth.

In the old days, people were naturally drawn to water and set up their homes near it. However, with growing urbanization, big drains and canals were built to channel away rainwater quickly to prevent floods.

PUB now wants to help everyone to reconnect with water and revive a lifestyle where water plays a central role. The Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Programme (or ABC Waters in short) aims to do just that.

"In Singapore, we have 32 major rivers and canals. These provide a host of opportunities for us to create many lifestyle attractions," said PUB's Chief Executive Khoo Teng Chye.

Picture this. You could carry your canoe down to the canal in your HDB estate and paddle in it, the same way people bring their bicycles and ride around the estate. Or you could sit by a pretty gurgling river and enjoy a satay meal, washing it down with some teh tarik. For the young and adventurous, you could have a concert with a beautiful water backdrops or zip above the waters on a flying fox.

Too good to be true? These can become a reality with the ABC Waters Programme. It will transform Singapore's waterbodies into active, beautiful and clean waters, making them a feature of Singapore's landscape. It will create community spaces for new lifestyle activities, offering more recreational options, and making the water bodies a lifestyle attraction to both young and old.

At the launch of the programme, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Dr Yaacob Ibrahim said: "The beautifying and landscaping of the waterways and reservoirs will ... enhance Singapore's reputation as a Garden City, or as some are calling it lately, a City in a Garden.

"It is also in line with our Prime Minister's vision of remaking Singapore into a vibrant and dynamic place we call home. The remaking of our water bodies and waterways will not only create new opportunities for Singaporeans to be close to nature and water, it will also help strengthen our social cohesiveness and our sense of belonging to Singapore."

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Drains, canals, rivers and reservoirs had traditionally be seen as part of the drainage and water supply system. Under the ABC Waters Programme, PUB will work with various government agencies and the 3P (people, public, private) sectors to look beyond their functional uses and turn them into new community areas for all to enjoy.

"Drains are very important functionally. But there's no reason why we can't redesign engineering-looking concrete longkangs to become beautiful rivers with flowing water and lush landscapes," said Mr Khoo.

These efforts are part of PUB's strategic objective to get Singaporeans to develop a close bond with water and want to be a guardian of it.

"In the past, homes tended to be built facing away from the water. This is because the canals are often empty during dry spells and that does not make a pretty sight. But there are engineering solutions that can keep water flowing throughout the year. We hope that by sharing our plans with the property sector, in planning new developments, they will make water as part of the development's attraction," said Mr Khoo.

One good example of the potential of river-facing developments are those along the Singapore River. Commercial entities and residential projects have sprung up along the banks, and these have commanded premium property prices.

These can be replicated in the HDB heartlands, creating new "Boat Quays" there. With the ABC Waters Programme, the possibilities are limitless. Families could be dining alfresco by the rover's edge and children could dip their toes in the water. Couples could go on romantic gondola rides and maybe even kayak along the Kallang River from Bishan to the new Marina Reservoir.

THE ABC WATERS SHOWCASE

To kick off the ABC Waters Programme, a 200-metre stretch of Kallang River at Kolam Ayer will be transformed with pathways, boardwalks and floating decks for recreational activities. The water level will also be kept at a constant level, making activities such as kayaking and dragon boating possible.

The pilot project is expected to cost about S$2.5 million and will be completed by end 2007.

Kallang River was the prime candidate for ABC Waters Programme because it is one of the major rivers in Singapore with much potential for transformation. In the initial demonstration phase, PUB and National Parks Board together with other agencies will provide landscaping and recreational facilities along the selected stretch of the river.

More greenery will be introduced - ornamental grasses, flowering shrubs as well as willow trees to soften the rigid lines of the river bank, giving it a more natural and serene feel.

The floating decks, pathways and boardwalks will weave in and out of the river's edge to bring people closer to the water. An iconic water wheel will also be built as the main attraction of the project. Not only is it a congregation point for people, the process of touching and playing with the water flowing from the wheel is just one of the ways to get people to enjoy clean water.

Said Mr Khoo: "Keeping our reservoirs and waterways litter-free is imperative as by 2009, two-thirds of Singapore will be water catchments and most of us will wither live, work or play within a water catchment. Through the ABC Waters Programme, we hope to reinforce the message that it is everyone's responsibility to value our waters and keep it pristine so that we all can benefit from this precious resource."