que pasa

Mr. Trees is currently writing his thesis on "Ecological Restoration of Urban Singapore" (or something like that). I think he has got some good ideas brewing and I hope he enjoys writing it. This is my piece to express my support.

They say that Singapore is one of the "greenest" cities in the world - I guess the Boys in White are happy about that. I think we can do better because it is still too hot. Take today for example. It is steamin', man! We are stuck at the equator, and no amount of air-conditioning will ever solve this situation we have. So if I could change one thing to the face of this nation, I would convert the whole Orchard Road into a pedestrian walkway - above ground, not the underground stuff we are so used to here. Then we can start "greening" other parts of the country in a similar way. (There is nothing wrong with shopping in the caverns below - we are afterall land-strapped- but human beings were born to be in the light, and we should make use of the natural abundance available here.)

Imagine a cooler and greener shopping district - how lovely! A cobblestoned or tiled Orchard road means no motor traffic (the subway is underground, and the two roads running parallel to Orchard Road are for motorvehicles). There will be lots of trees - the big rain trees that provide lots of shade, the weeping willows that sway with the wind, and the other type with very big and thick foilage - to provide a thick buffer of leaves between us and the sun. People resting at numerous park benches, or at coffee shops or pubs lining the entire stretch. Big white umbrellas to provide shade where the trees have not reached. Shopfronts that extend far out to reach shoppers milling in and out of the stores. Proper design will ensure good air circulation to keep the place breezy. We do not need fancy flowers that require high maintenance. "Cool, green and clean" done nicely is beautiful!

Yes, there are problems arising from such development. The birds (and their droppings), the disruption in traffic patterns, and maybe even severe implications on businesses. Do not get me wrong - I appreciate driving around the city and the mobility the car provides. But it is time for Orchard Road to revamp itself and distinguish itself from a typical retail area. Something radical like this makes a statement about how we value the world, how we distinguish ourselves and how we prepare a home for the future generation. The money is not in having a better shopping district, but providing the sui generis shopping experience. In our shrinking world, it is not about what we sell and at what price, but about how good it feels to be here.

I can see it already. It is gorgeous. But those trees need about 20 to 30 years to grow. We need to plan for the transformation now in order to keep it as smooth as possible. When other countries want to replicate such an environment, it will be great to give back to the world in such a way. Or, if there are already cities developing such areas, we can learn from them and improve the experience. Would it not be awesome to see more green areas popping up in cities around the world? We are so adept at modifying the natural environment to suit our needs and activities - deforestation in the name of national and economic development - so how is this any different?

We are the generation that excels in living in the "now". When I grow old, that will still hold. I want to be able to sit somewhere cool, sunny, shady, and breezy in a country that is safe, clean, with facilities within easy reach. So do many other people - young and old. Singapore has many things going for it to make it that place; we just need to tweak it a little more. I do not want to be known as "the air-con generation"; or worst still - "Generation X" - what absolute insignificance!

We are so much more, and you know that. I am going to write in to the powers that be. See if I can make a difference and show that I care.

P.S. If you have an opinion on this, please leave a comment!