Forum: Consider allowing forests to regenerate on urban land plots

With rising temperatures on the horizon, Singapore should consider increasing the density of greenery in neighbourhood green spaces.

This is particularly critical in heavily built-up regions, most notably in the north-east and east of Singapore. Yet, these areas have continued to see what little forest remains in them cleared, such as the Serangoon river forest.

These tend to be substituted with roadside greenery or heavily landscaped parks.

They are insufficient. First, it takes several years, even decades, for young trees to grow to sufficient size to provide adequate shading effects, especially over large roads with big surface areas.

Second, parks that are dominated by fields or minimal tree planting lack the vertical density of true tropical forests. This greatly reduces their ability to cool their microclimates.

On the other hand, a recent microforest project at City Square Mall shows that dense urban greenery can have a significant impact on a region’s microclimate. The areas closest to the microforest’s edge saw temperatures lowered by as much as 1 deg C to 4 deg C.

While the Ministry of National Development’s various statutory boards have already done a commendable job in integrating greenery into Singapore’s cityscape, more could be done to allow for forests to regenerate on the little green space we have left. Instead of maintaining a policy of intensive landscaping throughout the nation, we could allow for a minimally disruptive landscaping regime that allows for forests to regenerate on land plots.

Doing so may require more effort in aesthetic upkeep and pest management regimes, necessitating training and upskilling of landscaping workers. Nevertheless, such practices may ultimately yield much greater benefits in cooling Singapore. And, of course, creating more space for the forest-adapted biodiversity native to our sunny, tropical island.

Daniel Lim