Explore the first eco forest town in Singapore, and read more about how forest towns are changing the concept of urban living.
In 2023, there is going to be a new way of living in Singapore. Tengah, or “Forest Towns” are transforming their way of urban living, and reshaping the relationship between cities and the environment. With smart buildings, underground traffic, and expanses of greenery, Tengah is the first step in providing a sustainable future to the public. Singapore’s first smart and sustainable town will feature 42,000 homes in 5 residential districts, each with their own characteristic: Plantation, Garden, Park, Brickland, and Forest Hill. With this new living style becoming the new futute, here are some ways Forest Towns are changing the concept of urban living.
1. Smart City
Singapore has become one of the top smart cities in the world. Being a smart city is very beneficial because it makes living as an eldery more convenient, boosts transport optimisation, and creates a healthier environment with wearables, among many other benefits. In Singapore’s forest town, they have installed smart lights to reduce energy consumption which automatically switch off in unoccupied areas. To make sure they are not consuming too much energy, individuals are able to track and monitor their energy usage through an app, controlled by artificial intelligence.
2. Automatic Trash Disposal
Singapore disposes of 7.23 million tonnes of waste each year. To lower this number, their Pneumatic Waste Conveyance System (PWCS) features an automated waste collection using high-speed air to transport trash down a conveyance system. This is to create an odourless, cleaner, and healthier living space, whilst also minimising the risk of pest infestation.
3. Central Cooling
Over 99% of all households contain air conditioners (AC), and each AC uses 3,500 W of electricity every hour. A forest town contains a centralised cooling system, and compared to air conditioners, this will better regulate temperature and be more energy-efficient. A house’s air conditioner will also be connected to an app, where users can analyse and better understand how much electricity and energy they are using.
4. Underground Traffic
A forest town is a car-free town which lowers fuel consumption, and creates a traffic-free area. Instead of cars, people will mainly travel by walking or cycling to get to their desired destination. Roads will be underground and lower than the town. Instead, residents are encouraged to take buses or the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system that will run through the middle of the town. The transit will also be incorporated with a nature reserve and water catchment area to create a safe passage for wildlife. Having a car-free town will make the town more safe, convenient, and bring its community closer.
5. Greenery
Besides having a 100-meter wide forest corridor running through the centre of the town, the 5 districts of the forest town will each have a unique characteristic. The Plantation district is designed for farming, home gardening, and farmers’ markets. The Park district will contain a lot of trees and green landscapes for residents to enjoy nature, while the Garden district will have a forest amphitheatre, water bodies, and will be the home for community recreational activities. The Brickland district offers the best view of surrounding greenery, and the last district, Forest Hill, is the residential area that is the closest to nature, and will have nature “right at your doorstep”.
Along with their constant technological innovation and improvements in the fields of mobility, healthcare, and now living conditions, Singapore is undoubtedly becoming one of the smartest countries in the world.
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