Henning Larsen has transformed a 13-hectare former cemetery site in Singapore into Bidadari Park, an exemplary model of urban ecological design that successfully balances community needs with environmental stewardship.
The centerpiece of Bidadari Park is the innovative Alkaff Lake system, which serves dual purposes as both a scenic water feature and a sophisticated stormwater management infrastructure capable of capturing 90% of site runoff through interconnected wetlands and terraced marshes. This blue-green infrastructure demonstrates how urban parks can address climate resilience and create biodiverse habitats. It is reported that the park now supports over 193 wildlife species, including half of Singapore's migratory dryland birds. The urban ecological design thoughtfully preserves the site's heritage by retaining 84% of mature trees and incorporating native plantings. Family-friendly amenities like nature-inspired playgrounds and six kilometers of walking trails also weave through distinct ecological zones.
Image Credit: Finbarr Fallon
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Blue-green Infrastructure
- Blending stormwater management with scenic design, blue-green infrastructure offers innovative ways to enhance climate resilience and urban biodiversity.
- Heritage Conservation in Urban Parks
- Retaining mature trees and incorporating native plantings in urban design merges heritage conservation with ecological goals, fostering both cultural and environmental sustainability.
- Biodiversity-enhancing Public Spaces
- Creating public spaces that support diverse wildlife species transforms urban environments into thriving ecosystems, benefiting both nature and urban residents.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Urban Planning
- Advancements in urban ecological design are pushing the urban planning industry toward prioritizing sustainability and biodiversity in city developments.
- Landscape Architecture
- The landscape architecture industry is exploring new realms by integrating ecological and recreational elements, effectively redefining urban green spaces.
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental engineering is seeing a shift with innovative stormwater systems that double as recreational and aesthetic features, aligning urban development with ecological stability.
