Urban Land Institute and Centre for Liveable Cities Provide Lessons for Improving Walkability and Bikeability in Singapore

Jun 02, 2014 19:20 JST

Source: World Cities Summit

Research recommendations show multiple benefits of promoting "Active Mobility" in tropical cities

SINGAPORE, Jun 02, 2014 - (ACN Newswire) - The Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC), together with renowned Danish architect and urban designer Jan Gehl, have presented the results of their "Active Mobility" research study. The study examined local cycling and pedestrian issues in Singapore and provided lessons on making the city become more liveable. The research concluded that "Active Mobility" has multiple benefits ranging from economics to environmental and that promoting active travel requires all stakeholders of a city to focus on people as a starting point.

This study distilled lessons from the experiences of Singapore and other cities and identified strategies for promoting walking and cycling in tropical cities. Workshop discussions with Jan Gehl called for a shift from a motorist-oriented to a people-first approach for cities. These ideas include greater emphasis on safety for more vulnerable road users - pedestrians and cyclists - through redesign of junctions, as well as according these users appropriate priority with continuous sidewalks, at-grade crossings, and shared streets at high pedestrian volume areas.

To make active travel a more comfortable and attractive option for people in tropical cities, the study also suggested that the infrastructure should make it more conducive for people to walk and cycle continuously and efficiently. Cycling and walking infrastructure should also be integrated with public transit to make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to use public transit for longer trips and complete their journeys on foot or bicycles.

Another key lesson was for street tree planting and sheltered public walkways, which Singapore has been extensively providing through NPark's street planting efforts and URA's development guidelines, to also contribute towards ensuring pedestrian and cyclist comfort. Developers and building owners should also be encouraged through building guidelines to install end-of-trip amenities such as bathrooms with showers or even drop-and-go laundries in offices.

"The release of the 'Active Mobility' research study is the result of bringing together a diverse group of people to discuss land development issues within high-density cities," said Scott Dunn, Vice President, AECOM Southeast Asia, ULI Singapore Council. "I am excited about the outcomes of the research that
create some guidance about to make our urban environment conducive for active mobility and I hope that the research can be used as a reference point for decision makers in other tropical cities as well as in other cities facing similar challenges."

"The research on creating healthy places through active mobility will not only make people healthier, but make cities more liveable as well. Like Jan Gehl has observed, cities like Singapore are quite into Sunday cycling, on our wonderful park connectors. Now, the challenge is how to bring Sunday cycling onto Monday cycling, where it could be a viable alternative to taking motorised transport. Cities will be better for it, as walking and cycling takes up so much less precious space," added Dr Limin Hee, Director, Centre for Liveable Cities.

The research findings were put before a response panel including; Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, Melbourne; Marilyn Jordan Taylor, Dean and Paley Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Design & Former ULI Chairman; H.E. Ridwan Kamil, Mayor of Bandung; Scott Dunn, Vice President, AECOM Southeast Asia & ULI Singapore Council; and Dr Limin Hee, Director, Centre for Liveable Cities.

Click to view the online e-book and video for "Active Mobility for Creating Healthy Places".
- http://www.clc.gov.sg/documents/books/active_mobility/index.html
- http://uli.org/videos/creating-healthy-places-active-mobility/

About the Urban Land Institute

The Urban Land Institute (www.uli.org) is a global non-profit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has more than 30,000 members worldwide representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.

About the Centre for Liveable Cities

The Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) was set up in 2008 by the Ministry of National Development and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, based on a strategic blueprint developed by Singapore's Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development. Guided by its mission to distil, create and share knowledge on liveable and sustainable cities, the Centre's work spans three main areas - Research, Capability Development, and Promotions. (www.clc.gov.sg)

Media Contacts

Urban Land Institute (ULI) in Asia
Cheryl Pan
Direct Tel: +852 2967 8787
Email: cheryl.pan@bluecurrentgroup.com

Ministry of National Development, Singapore
Tricia Chiu
Direct Tel: +65 6908 7128 / +65 8183 5710
Email: Tricia_CHIU@mnd.gov.sg

Yvonne Cheong
Phone: +65 6908 7198/ +65 9048 6311
E-mail: yvonne_cheong@mnd.gov.sg

Source: World Cities Summit
Sectors: Water, Environment, ESG