The Role of Public Art in Urban Spaces
Public art which began as a mere form of interaction amongst people has constantly changed its role from a rudimentary form of communication to a catalyst to break free from the conservative during the renaissance. After the world war, de-industrialization has led to the birth of creative industry thus bringing it to the limelight. One of the urban phenomena of post industrialization is public art. As cities globalized, re-branding themselves through art forms that narrate a story to boost its economy has been a constant approach. In the behest of this attitude, we have forgotten to boost the local confidence.
Public art that was localized few years ago has gotten a globalized perspective leading to art that belongs everywhere as well as nowhere. In a contradiction of views, public art has been manipulated to suit the trending economy and culture of the global cities. So how can we integrate art into urban spaces where it plays a role of everyday event in people’s life and forms a culture of its own, thus giving the city its identity? The objective is to find out what approach is likely an ideal form that can make public art as a powerful tool , a tool that can give an opportunity to express itself in the hands of the users and curators.
Introducing Singapore as a city in the global front, as a city of cultural capital, I specifically take the case of Singapore River and argue that the public art in the river precinct has been used as image branding and lost its potential to inspire local communities. The strategic planning of contemporary art along the river has transformed landscapes to compete with the emerging economy. However at present I believe that the ‘artful’ planning of public art has opened its possibilities to collaborations which have the prospective to integrate public art and the people.
By- Adithi Moogoor
The Role of Public Art in Urban Spaces
There is no unequivocal answer to what makes a good city, as the needs of city dwellers vary across time, age and culture. Many cities today are fragmented assemblage of diverse planning impositions from different planning eras. Urban planning is therefore a complex, perennial challenge that seeks to balance an array of programs within the urban fabric.
In recent years, there has been a burgeoning call to favor spontaneity and flexibility in urban planning to counter the traditional planning rubric which conventionally goes through a theoretical, arduous, and lengthy pre-implementation thought process. Movements such as Tactical Urbanism motivates innovative, low-cost temporary measures to the built environment in an attempt to reconcile the social facet. It is thus pertinent that cities are programmed to recalibrate in an attempt to adjust and shed away layers of historical planning impositions (such as traditional zoning) ubiquitous in planned cities.
The author contends that even in seemingly haphazard cities, there is a clear logic to the messiness, which is governed by the needs of the people. It is important to thus study these logics and attempt to synthesize it with proper governing rules so that urban planning can thrive at its best.
This planning report argues that historical planning tools are fixated on deterministic planning while recent initiatives concern themselves with bottom-up unorganized community efforts. It seeks to advocate for a new plane of perspective known as flexible urbanism by merging both ideals through urban design and planning tools. It resonates with Jane Jacobs’ views on compatibility between functional physical diversity and hence successful streetscapes, and expounds on this theory to explore adaptability and flexibility in a wider context. Recommendations are made with the city of Singapore in mind.
By- Kloe Ng
In China, we are witnessing a rapid increase in urbanization especially in megacities such as Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou.Todeal with overcrowding in these megacities, many new cities emerged in the suburbs; meanwhile redevelopment activities are also carried out. However the new developments and cities do not always improve the quality of life for people. In fact they sometimes come with many planning issues such as pollution, congestion, homelessness and crime. What can be done to address such issues? How can planners work with the state to improve the livelihood of the inhabitants of cities?
This paper comprises four parts: The first part explores the phenomenon of new cities rising across China. The second part discusses the urban issues emerging because of these new cities. Following this, I identify the lessons we can learn from some of the urban planning examples overseas. Finally I will propose some approaches to recycle the cities and developments to achieve sustainability in urban redevelopment of Chinese cities.
The Role of Public Art in Urban Spaces
By- Lynn Ou
Exploring the Concept of Vertical Zoning
With the advent of population growth, vertical urban expansion has gained traction as a feasible solution to Singapore’s spatial crunch. With a specific focus on meliorating the existing land use regulatory framework, this planning report espouses the imposition of vertical zoning as a contrivance to manage urban functions in propinquity.
The premise for providing an interpretive framework of zoning is underscored by the impetus to spur urban vitality by encouraging vertical mixed-use developments in the light of achieving urban compaction. Grounded on a dossier of literature, the report investigates the absence of regulatory guidelines to inform the design and location of functions in the vertical model to manage externalities and compatibility between diverse mix of land functions.
In efforts to bridge the established research gap, the report propounds a vertical zoning approach to apprise planners in edifying developers, architects and urban designers on the considerations underpinning a sustainable mix of urban functions with specific reference to residential and office archetypes. As a constructive zoning measure, the raison d'être of land use regulation in a vertical dimension intent to achieve the benefits of density and diversity in proximate urban radius.
Based on the central analytic of propelling progressive urban living, the proposed policy guidelines aims to offer wider critical epistemology involving the exploration of vertical zoning and develop policy recommendations to facilitate implementation within the context of Singapore.
By- Phua Shi Hui
Singapore, a city state island country with population of around 5.5 million in 2015, has one of the best transportation systems around the world. With the objective of promoting and developing sustainable mode of transport, Singapore recently has seen the rising demand for non-motorized transport and to combat global warming is looking forward for a carbon free environment.
The success of cycling cities around the world has made Singapore rethink and find ways for bicycle friendly environment, which will ultimately reduce the car usage, less traffic on roads, reducing the carbon footprint, and also improve the first and last mile connectivity. There is already some 230kms of bicycle paths and park connectors in Singapore but majorly for recreational purpose. The government authorities want cycling to go beyond the realm of recreation and become a viable transport option for short trips.
This report discusses the benefits of non-motorized transport with focus on cycling along with case studies from cities such as Copenhagen and London to draw up recommendations for future development in terms of policy and infrastructure planning for cycling in Singapore.
By- Devansh Jain
Policy and Infrastructure Planning for Cycling in Singapore
