Given the small land size of Singapore, what are the main urban obstacles facing the citizens?
It is because of Singapore’s small land size that we’ve had to reconcile liveability, environmental sustainability, and economic competitiveness more so than many other cities, even as urban density increases with population growth. As a city-state, Singapore has limited resources. The scarcity of land has been and will continue to be a challenge we face, both for our citizens and the government. The small land area is related to other urban challenges such as traffic congestion and maintaining a liveable environment with adequate greenery and a sense of space.
The challenge of balancing economic and population growth with liveability and sustainability is multi-faceted. Besides policy and technology innovations, the key is for all stakeholders to work together – government, businesses and the people to engage in positive interactions and collaborate on all fronts in order to overcome the urban obstacles.
As many cities globally face increasing urban density, Singapore’s experience in ensuring a liveable and sustainable environment in spite of our population density is very relevant. At the same time, Singapore has much to learn from other cities. This is why platforms such as the World Cities Summit play a crucial role in facilitating necessary sharing and learning. The World Cities Summit from June 1-4 will have more than 130 mayors and city leaders gathering in Singapore, along with thousands of experts and practitioners in the urban solutions industry to share best practices for overcoming urban