With Singapore’s natural resources and man-made architecture, it’s a magnificent city to live in.
Our picture-perfect skyline and bustling business hub have attracted an influx of tourists.
Perhaps in the future, the term “floating lion city” might soon be associated with Singapore.
Sounds super-futuristic? Well, there might already be plans for just that.
Keppel working on project to explore floating city in Singapore
On Tuesday (June 22), Keppel chief executive officer and executive director Loh Chin Hua attended the World Cities Summit.
He chimed in during a panel discussion on how cities can respond to climate, social and technological change.
Mr Loh shared how private sectors can work with governments to shed light on issues like climate change.
Mr. Loh said: “We have the technology and capabilities to build floating cities, which can address both land scarcity as well as the threat of rising sea levels in coastal areas. We are currently exploring how such nearshore developments can be built in Singapore.”
Explicit details were not provided.
Last September, we witnessed Apple‘s most ambitious retail project: opening a store on water. Appearing as a sphere floating on the dazzling Marina Bay, you’ve got to admit that it looks glorious.
If that’s not enough, imagine having an entire country floating? The thought of it already sounds phenomenal.
Steps taken by cities around the world
Moderated by Ambassador-at-Large Chan Heng Chee, panellists at the discussions said that cities globally have been building in anticipation of future problems
Panellists quoted floating cities as an example of how cities can prepare for future disruptions from pandemics and climate change.
For example, in China, the government has built a network of sponge cities to mitigate urban flooding and water scarcity problems that may result from climate change. This was said by Mr. Yang Baojin, chief economist of the country’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.
In Spanish, an ongoing project is set to incorporate buildings with technology that will allow them to generate energy. On top of that, sharing unused energy with neighbouring buildings may also be possible, said Mr. Juan Mari Aburto, mayor of the city.
COVID-19 has allowed countries to reinvent themselves. Modifications to prepare cities for future pandemics can become a “new selling point” for them.
In Fukuoka Japan, an infectious disease city plan has been rolled out.
The plan outlines how buildings can rebuild ventilation systems and use touchless technology. This is so that people can enter and leave a building and use toilets without having to touch surfaces.
Honestly, it sounds like a blueprint made out of a science-fi movie.
Featured Image: Richie Chan / Shutterstock.com