Architect

Atelier Dreiseilt, Germany

Type of Area

Stream with natural banks
Pond

Land/water interaction

Flood plains

Built Environment Types

Low built
High green

Scale of Impact

District/ neighbourhood
City

Intervention Scale (Spatial)

Large site

Project Types

Stormwater management
Green infrastructure
Habitat creation/restoration

Urban/ Rural

Inner urban area

Visibility and Openness

Fully enclosed
Fully contained view

Cleansing the Biotope

Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park was developed as one of the largest urban parks in central Singapore that was realised under the Public Utility Board’s Active, Beautiful and Clean Waters (ABC) scheme. The project initiated in 2009 and designed by Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl, for Public Utilities Board/National Parks Board, Singapore.

The project transformed an old concrete canal into a 3 km long meandering river with natural banks offering different types of blue and green infrastructure and public spaces for different recreational and social activities. The project is located between two housing estates and first opened in 1988 (and is thus an early example of such a project) on a 62-hectare site. It attracts millions of visitors annually and hosts many organised events.

The aim was to create cleansing biotopes using bio-remediation, which provides many benefits through creating inclusive playgrounds, diverse habitats, community allotment gardens, places for nature play and recreation. Dealing with the wicked problem of urban hydrology, by applying principles of landscape ecology, the project helps to break away from civil-engineering solutions to a more nature-based bio-engineering approach that increases the carrying capacity of the river.

Coupled with re-engineering of the cross-section of the river using a nature-based approach, the project transformed community perceptions towards water in the city and promotes close interaction with nature and biodiversity. The design of the park with the river offered a balanced functional, ecological, and socio-cultural space.

The park, to date, is home for a growing number of species of wildflowers, birds, and dragon flies enriching the biodiversity. The site features which promote active and passive interaction with water include bridges, terraced riverside galleries, river platforms, steppingstone paths and a water playground.

The project incorporates a comprehensive river monitoring and a warning system, signal lights, sirens and audio announcements to provide early warning to the park users in the event of heavy rain or a possible flood.