Singapore's Gardens By The Bay Transform It Into A "City In A Garden"

Surreal structures on the city’s bay are now open to the public.

July 3, 2012, 9:19pm

Back in 2005, Singapore set out on a mission to transform itself from a garden city to a city in a garden. According to the head of Singapore’s National Parks Board, Poon Hong Yuen, “What it means is having pervasive greenery, as well as biodiversity, including wildlife, all around you.” It’s a bold mission for a metropolis, even one that’s as green as Singapore is already. But if there’s one thing we can be sure of, it’s that if Singapore is committed to an ideal, they make it happen.

The plan for greenification centered around the development of Gardens By The Bay, a massive public park designed by Grant Associates that spans over 100 hectares and includes sustainable structures that look like they were brought back from a future where cyborg-trees grow wild. Reaching heights of 50 meters, these structures function as vertical gardens covered in exotic plants. The development also includes the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, which are not levels in Super Mario World, but rather conservatories specializing in different kinds of plants.

This massive project is a breath of fresh air for anyone who hopes to see more involvement from governments in the beautification and sustainability of nations and cities. Singapore’s waterfront is transformed, and more areas of Gardens by the Bay are set to open to the public soon. Before you know it, they’ll have achieved their goal of becoming a city in a garden.