Singapore Thoughts

Singapore is an island city-state, roughly half the size of the Los Angeles with a population of 5.5 million (roughly 60% are citizens). As a small island, just about everything comes from elsewhere. It is very clean, modern, surprisingly quiet and highly diverse (cosmopolitan). The city is full of interesting art and architecture.

Much of what I know of Singapore was gathered from taxi drivers so you may take it with a grain of salt. If we’d had time, I would have paid to ride around just hear one driver’s stories.

About 20% of Singapore's land area has been reclaimed from the sea (not too unlike Olympia). It sounds strange, but according to a taxi driver, the reclaimed land was constructed of sand barged in from Indonesia. That is until the Indonesian government realized their islands were disappearing (being mined) to construct Singapore. Today sand is coming from Vietnam and Myanmar. 10% of Singapore is set aside to parks. Trees are obviously valued in the city, I've seen impressive structures and expansive tree grates designed to help sustain trees.

Taxi drivers told us when they were young there were pigs and chickens in the street and farms and villages existed in close proximity. Water was transported by animal from a well or spring.  Waste was hauled by bucket to the water for disposal. The rivers were lined with fishing boats. The drivers said that, when Singapore was part of Malaysia, it was highly corrupt and controlled by Chinese gangs.

It is clear that an amazing transformation has occurred since Singapore gained its independence from Malaysia 50 years ago. Singaporeans give most of the credit to the recently deceased Lee Quan Yew, the father of independent Singapore (prime minister at the time of independence up until 1990). Lee strove to eliminate corruption and crime. A taxi driver said caning was highly effective at changing behaviors.  Lee also worked for social reform to integrate society (e.g. public housing) and reduce racial tensions. Clearly long-term solutions were favored over cheaper, easier and more populist ones. 

I was surprised to hear that Singaporeans were so tolerant of such big changes. I’m sure change must have been unpopular to some.  A driver said citizens preferred the stability over the prior corruption and recognized (often through firsthand experience) the alternative could be a highly oppressive government (e.g. China). It is Singapore’s stability and lack of corruption that has allowed it to become a world financial and trade center.

Buildings were once no more than 3 stories for fire control. A driver said there was then an era when fire trucks capable of reaching 5 stories was acquired and building heights increased accordingly.  Singapore has been built, and in many cases rebuilt, in its short history. Singapore’s most recognizable structure, the Marina Bay Sands, is less than 3 years old; the freeway under the river to the airport is less than 2 years old; the airport terminal we left from was 6 years old and a fourth larger airport terminal is under construction. Real estate values make Singapore a vertical city. Today virtually everyone lives and works in a high rise. None of the skyscrapers seem very old.  We have been travelling from high rise to high rise, something that takes some getting used to, but the views are captivating.

Water resources are highly managed in Singapore (as is most everything including the medi). 25% of the water supply comes via pipeline from Malaysia. The remainder comes from catchment on the island, desalination, and recycled sewage (NEW water from USED water) and recycled urban stormwater runoff. The major river estuaries are dammed to create fresh water reservoirs and protect from storm surge. Taxi drivers recalled all of the streets being torn up for installation of “all the pipes.” This may explain why all of the streets are in such good condition. The government touts 100% of homes served with potable water and sewerage and a completely separated storm sewer system.

Singha statue at Merlion Park

Marina Bay Sands

They must have super clothes pins