IN-PERSON London. Section B

Abstract

In addition to overcrowding, climate crisis, and ecological degradation, the health of our cities may be threatened by urban planning when it tends to separate the built environment from nature. On the other side, scientific research has shown how human-nature interaction exerts notable benefits on physical and mental well-being as well as the quality of life, especially in urban areas. As a result, the interest in Biophilic Design and Urbanism has grown in recent years. In this paper, we propose the case study of Singapore as the leader among biophilic cities in putting nature at the core of planning to enhance livability by creating novel ecosystems. Shifting from a “garden city” to a “city in a garden” or even a “city in a forest”, Singapore is one of the most dense and green cities, where population and greenery have proportionally grown in the last decades. Through quantitative and qualitative analysis, we retrace this socio-spatial evolution to understand how Biophilia-oriented policies, built on human-nature interaction, changed cityscape and citizens’ habits across scales (buildings, public spaces, infrastructure, fridge belts, and areas). Finally, we promote biophilic design and planning solutions to increase awareness of urban forests, maximize the multiple benefits of living in contact with nature in the built environment, and encourage interspecies care to make cities more livable and healthier. Despite its specific zonobiome, Singapore represents a paradigmatic model transferable around the world with due regard for diverse geographies and cultures.