Singapore revs up its river quays
POSTED: 10:55 p.m. EST, February 14, 2007
SINGAPORE (Reuters) -- Water. For years, Singapore has taken a
utilitarian view of it. Great for shipping, good for rinsing
semiconductors. But for fun? No way.
All that is changing.
As manufacturing jobs seep away to low-cost China, Singapore
realizes it needs to create an appealing cityscape in order to
attract foreigners -- as tourists, bankers and scientists who can
drive its economic overhaul.
In the past few years, the Singapore River quays -- long dominated
by shophouses and derelict warehouses -- have been transformed into
one long entertainment strip, from Boat Quay at the river mouth all
the way to newly developed Robertson Quay.
Last year, Clarke Quay and its bars, clubs and restaurants got a
makeover, the traditional shophouses painted in pastel colors and
terraces covered by huge lily pad-shaped canopies blowing cool air
to provide relief from the tropical heat.
"It's like Barcelona, Amsterdam or Rome, but with spring weather
and an Asian flavor," said Gerald Molles, a Frenchman who has lived
in Singapore for three years, referring to the dining and
entertainment experience along the Singapore River.
The transformation continues to move upstream, not only with
bakeries and bars, but also a stretch of new luxury
riverside-housing projects now under construction.
"They are developing condos all along the waterfront, along the
river, or facing the sea. People want an apartment with a water
view," said Bee Bee Tan, a property agent.
The Singapore government said earlier this month it wants to move
beyond upgrading its river quays, and plans to turn its network of
water reservoirs and rainwater canals into public areas for water
sports, walking and cycling.
"In the past, we protected our water resources by keeping people
away from them. Now, we will bring people closer to water so that
they will enjoy and cherish it more," Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong said.
A new dam across Marina Bay will cut the river off from the sea,
creating a cityfront lake for water sports. The reservoir will be
ready for use by 2009, along with a $3.2 billion casino and a
170-meter (550-feet) high ferris wheel.
Singapore also plans to redevelop its eastern coastline, one of the
few places where residents can actually get to the sea.
With its man-made beaches and the many tankers and other ships
anchored in front, the east coast is a far cry from, say, Phuket,
Thailand, but the 20-km long East Coast Park has become a popular
spot for cycling, rollerblading and barbecuing.
Waterfront promenades
While nobody is calling Singapore the Venice of the East, it is one
of the few cities in Asia to turn to the water.
Unlike Paris, London and a string of smaller European cities which
have invested millions of dollars to line their river quays with
boardwalks, cafes and art venues, most of Asia sees little use for
the Western concept of a promenade by the water.
Bangkok's magnificent Chao Phraya river is lined with hotels,
temples and restaurants, and used by thousands of commuters every
day. But don't go looking for a boardwalk.
Hong Kong is known for shrinking its famous harbor through land
reclamation, and while Tokyo has the waterfront Odaiba complex in
Tokyo Bay, the city faces away from its waterways, with many of its
river banks covered in concrete.
Korea's capital Seoul has managed to revitalize its
waterways.
Former mayor and current presidential hopeful Lee Myung-bak cleaned
up the Chonggyechon stream in 2003, after the 10-km long river
disappeared under concrete and an overhead highway during the
city's rapid development.
The $350 million cleanup has drawn some 40 million visitors to the
stream in about two years, according to media reports.
Meanwhile, the murky Singapore River is smelly at low tide, and
despite Singapore's reputation for being spotless, the river still
collects plenty of plastic and other litter.
But that might not necessarily be a bad thing.
"If it looks too shiny and clean, it won't have a style," said Glet
Yves, a French tourist.
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http://www.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/02/14/singapore.waterfront.reut/index.html?section=cnn_latest
