Urbanisation is inevitable, and countries need to improve their urban INFRASTRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE to enhance productivity and create jobs. Trends suggest that the concentration of population in large urban agglomerations will increase in future, leading to formidable problems of governance and service delivery. Urban agglomeration provides opportunities for innovation and reducing costs; provision of urban services is not a function of city size but of co-ordination of different services; clustering of economic activities stimulates economic development; linking land use with public transport is more effective for sustainable and inclusive development.
A city needs SEVERAL SERVICES such as water supply, wastewater disposal, urban transport, electricity, etc. Many countries are coming up with solutions to provide smarter alternatives for transportation. For example, Beijing plans to replace over 70,000 gasoline and diesel taxis with electric vehicles. Seoul is aiming to add 2000 km of bike paths and create 250 pedestrian zones. Hanoi plans to generate electricity from its biggest landfill, which will reduce emissions and generate electricity. Services such as water supply distribution, water and solid waste collection and roads could be provided in an incremental manner, but bulk water systems, waste-treatment plants and so on require a minimum city size. None of these services has an optimum city size. What is important is coordination in the delivery of all services.
In Singapore, Punggol Eco-Town is being built with an aim of enhancing the living environment and allowing residents to play their part for the environment.
Asian cities can be at the forefront of CLIMATE-SMART POLICIES, INNOVATIONS, AND INVESTMENT. Countries like Singapore are leading the way, where innovation, technology, and strategic urban development have met urban development and climate demands. Singapore which is known as a clean and green city as envisioned by the nation’s founding fathers is on its way to becoming a model sustainable city.
Tianjin Eco-City in China is a joint effort by the governments of Singapore and China to develop a 30 square kilometre modern township project.
