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Young Urbanist Programme Season 1

The Young Urbanist Programme [YUP] held on Monday 10th March 2008, was a 1-day workshop initiated by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and executed in collaboration with [re:act] and held at the URA Centre.
Young Urbanist Program

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CUBE or Challenge for the Urban and Built Environment was a competition that re:ACT organised for the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) under its Architecture and Urban Design Excellence programme (A.UDE) as part of its 35th anniversary celebrations. We took our usual DMP workshop...

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DMP 2009: Kaki Bukit (Participant Proposals)

Thursday, January 01, 2004 Reporter: Ian Ng 0 Responses

Below are the consolidated proposals offered by the participants of DMP 2009, within the Kaki Bukit Neighborhood.


Group 1 (Area B)

Schools: Temasek Junior College/Temasek Secondary School/Damai Secondary School

Members: Chan Weng Kin, Clarence Lee Jun Yi, Belinda Tan Wei Ting, Sng Yi Ting Tiffanie, Seri Hannah Bte Aminuddin, Muhammed Nizam B Rosian

We initially believed that the Kaki Bukit area was rather dead and uninteresting, and mostly occupied by elderly residents. We made a sweeping statement by labeling what we saw to be mundane, inactive old people who were just living their final days. Hence, the ideas we brainstormed after the first visit were rather unrealistic, insensitive and childish. We thought of injecting more life into the area we chose (area B) by attempting to transform area B, a residential area, into more of a condominium with many amenities that would entertain and amuse the residents.

After our second visit to area B, we changed our mind and our entire focus of the project. After numerous interviews with people from all walks of life, and a closer inspection of the entire area, we were all shocked at how we were blind to the actual needs of the people, and at our lack of appreciation of the smart design the planners had implemented back in the 1970s. Our interviews with residents were of a wide variety to better understand their various needs. We interviewed 2 retired Christians who were at the void deck playing Christian songs on their guitar. Both of them have lived in the area for a couple of years and have seen a change in demographics. They also talked to us about how they would go fishing and cycling and would rarely roam around the estate. They also brought up the sad fact that there are many elderly people here who have been abandoned by their children and are living from day to day. There has been an influx of foreigners of late, hence further supporting our observation of a change in demographics. We also interviewed a few elderly residents at the void deck, to discover their daily activities and their thoughts of the estate. We also managed to interview residents who were at home in area B, and to our surprise we found a large number of newly-weds in block 523. Our numerous interviews have constructed a matrix of information that will inform us of the demographics of the location, the general feelings of the residents and what we can do to help better their living conditions.

Our findings have shown that the demographics have indeed changed, with the influx of foreigners/newly-weds and their children. A large majority of the population is still dominated by the elderly. Our findings have also shown that the residents in general are satisfied with the estate, apart from matters such as vandalism in lifts, snatch thefts, inadequate lighting, cluttered corridors and leaking toilet pipes. We are also very pleased with the planners who planned out the estate in the 1970s. Areas are well connected and fully sheltered, providing easy access to almost any location in the estate. There were many ramps and railings in place for the disabled and many drop-off points and facilities for the local populace. In general, the main issues we should be concerned about would be to better equip the estate to cope with the change in demographics, to help the new members of the estate integrate better, to improve living conditions and help the elderly age with dignity. We also want to play upon the estate’s strengths, which are peace and serenity. Armed with our observations and information, we moved on to work on the housing units, the void deck, the unused rooftops and the surroundings of the estate. We believe that our solutions, ranging from both small improvements to large-scale implements will help make the Kaki Bukit residential area more ideal.


Group 2 (Area C)

Schools: Temasek Junior College/Temasek Secondary School/Maris Stella High School

Members: Tan Kah Kee, Ang Kar Yong, Toh Su-Mei Flora, Chin Jun Han, Ng Wai Kei, Koo Boon Kiat

The part of Kaki Bukit that our project aims to improve is the area surrounding Kaki Bukit Community Centre. Upon a survey, we identified it as most suitable to achieve our previously identified aims of providing entertainment facilities for all ages, as well as opportunities for interaction in order to foster a closer-knit community. The area is well connected for public transport users (Bedok Interchange and MRT), as well as vehicle owners (well-distributed car parks, PIE entrance). Also, we recognize that it has many opportunities for improvement. Examples are the CC, as a platform for developing activities, and open spaces, that already serve as concentrations of activity.

Based on identified strengths and focuses of development, we came up with several ideas with potential, including a shopping mall modeled after eHub in Pasir Ris, a bike trail network, and activities by the CC catered for the elderly, like gardening. However, upon further onsite research, we realized that these developments were unnecessary or already available. For instance, the area has an intricate pathway network that is adequate for cyclists and pedestrians, and the CC already has a wide variety of activities. These ideas were eventually adapted to better maximize the strengths identified.

Therefore, to best fulfill our objectives, we decided to develop the largely unused car parks between blocks 529 and 530 as well as the open space amidst blocks 551, 552 and 554. A stage, fitness corners, and physical activity areas presently occupy the space. However, these have failed to make use of the expansive space available. Therefore, we propose to build a prawning pond where residents can prawn, grill their catch, or simply observe the going-ons. Prawning has proved to be a popular activity region-wide and will certainly liven the place while maintaining its present use as a place for community activities. At the same time, this will allow businesses that cater to the needs of new visitors to flourish.

The vast car parks are largely unused throughout the day and the space may potentially be used more productively. Therefore, to maximize space, we propose to pedestrianize the western half and build a multi-storey car park in the eastern half to serve vehicle owners and visitors. In the pedestrianized area, we propose a tranquil and quiet walkway around a simple, yet peaceful stream running from the multi-storey car park, to the CC. Such a development would maximize the area’s serene ambience, as well as offer opportunities for the community to gather and enjoy the sights through a leisurely stroll. The sounds of water, the lush greenery and the strategically placed resting points would produce an invigorating, yet relaxing experience for people both familiar and foreign to the area. In order to make the car park part of the experience, we propose a rooftop garden that would link to the water walkway through an urban waterfall from the roof of the car park to the stream. It will would boast rich greenery, areas for relaxation as well as create activities such as gardening and crop farming.

Finally, to add a modern touch to sleepy Kaki Bukit, we propose a futuristic Sky Bridge that would link the multi-storey car park and the prawning pond. Apart from serving as a link between the new developments, the bridge will be a place of relaxation, literally located away from the noisy roads, car parks and void decks. We propose that the bridge becomes an experience in its own, surrounded by luxuriant greenery and with resting points strategically placed.

Through our various suggestions, we hope to create a new Kaki Bukit that maintains its serenity and yet is rich with exciting activities and community spirit.


Group 4 (Area A)

Schools: Temasek Junior College/Damai Secondary School

Members: Ho Pui Kee Grace, Huang Huilling, Terry Shen Yilin, Jacinda Siew Xinying, Anbaarashan S/O Uthayakumar, Jesmond Tan Yujie

After two days of site inspection at Kaki Bukit Neighborhood with numerous interviews and observations with residents, occupants and passers-by, we have gathered that the quality of living can be improved on. The interviews show that the lives of the elderly are lonely and mundane; this is further exemplified by the lack of interaction in the neighborhood. Since elderly citizens are the majority of the population living in the estate, it gives rise to our objective of creating a sense of community and friendship among the residents and to integrate them into the other age groups.

In order to address the above identified problems, we propose to make physical, social and economic connections on different scales leading to the creation of Kaki Trail.

On a larger scale, we would like to connect to the existing park connector network in Bedok Town Park through the existing overhead bridge and underpass that leads from Chai Chee into Kaki Bukit Neighborhood. This would fulfill the physical and economical aspects as the human traffic flow would be increased in the area.

On a smaller scale, we will be connecting the various important nodes in the Kaki Bukit Neighborhood by having the Kaki Trail leading users to these places. For example, the trail will connect with the proposed idea of a Family Centre in front of Block 547, Bedok Town Secondary School, the proposed roof-top garden atop Block 537, the proposed barbeque pits in front of Block 538B, the Spice Garden between Blocks 529 and Block 530, and finally the proposed Prawn Garden enclosed by Blocks 554, 552 and 551. This will meet the needs of a physical, social and economical connection in a neighborhood.

Our group has been tasked to work with Site A that includes Block 547 to Bedok Town Secondary School. We have decided to propose a Family Centre in front of Block 547, which will mark the beginning of the Kaki Trail. This elevated trail will comprise of a variety of facilities that cater to all age groups. For example, some of the facilities include pavilions that contain chess tables, areas for community gardening and a play area for children. The trail will be peppered with artworks from residents and students from Bedok Town Secondary School adding a fresh perspective to the existing ordinary trails around Singapore. This will make an invaluable and enriching experience for all the users of Kaki Trail.


Group 5 (Area D)

Schools: Temasek Junior College/Temasek Secondary School/Marist Stella High School

Members: Yeo Lian Ping, Koh En Wei, Chan Pui Ip, Kenny Chen Han Teng, Augustine Koh, Nur Farreha Binte Abdul Jalil, Matthew Fortunio Hendrojuwono

LEISUREATION@KAKI

This name was composed from the two words, leisure and interaction. This is because we felt that in order for interaction to occur, people needed to be happy and relaxed, and most of the time people are only happy and relaxed when they are having their leisure time.

Our team worked on Area D and we identified 2 weaknesses with the site.

  1. Unattractive to youth
  2. Existing facilities are not attractive to all age groups.

As such, we decided that in order to solve these problems, interaction within the community was needed. Interaction can solve the first problem because it will make the place livelier, thus interesting to the youth. Interaction can also solve the second problem by encouraging more to use the facilities. Hence we came up with the plan for this Site that is aimed at promoting interaction.

Firstly, we decided that the bus park would have to go as it was occupying a large parcel of land that could be better used to build something that can promote interaction. Currently, the bus park is making the place very dull and boring. Now, with the bus park cleared, we will build a BBQ area in its place. We felt that BBQ area was the best choice as it could serve to encourage people to have outdoor gatherings. The elderly in the area can invite their families over for the weekend to have dinner, or friends can invite one another over. All their necessary BBQ equipment and food can be easily obtained from Sheng Siong supermarket, which is nearby (Site E). Through the preparation for the BBQ and during the BBQ, people will have a good way of getting together to interact. The BBQ area will come with huts and BBQ pits.

The BBQ pits will be located right outside every hut and each hut will have creepers planted and solar panels placed on its roof. The purpose of this is to give the place an eco-friendly theme that ties in with the government’s efforts in trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The energy produced by the solar panels will be used to power the lights of the BBQ area (any surplus of energy will be channeled to the national power grid). Furthermore the huts are designed and given organic shapes that are not conventional and this will certainly ignite interest among the community. One such hut is given a mushroom cap like shape and another is broccoli shaped. The first shape is meant for small families mainly couples as they are smaller than the broccoli shaped ones that are meant for larger families and can accommodate up to 6. During the day, anyone can come to sit in these huts and relax and in the evenings, BBQs can then be carried out. A large pavilion will also be in built in the middle of the BBQ area and it will take the form of a 3-sided umbrella that will be a large gathering place. The last feature of the BBQ area is the playground which is located just next to the soon to be built toilets and washing areas which will be located behind the Bin Centre and the Sub Station. It is placed in that location mainly because it will be kept a safe distance from the road so that the risk of kids running unto the road will be lowered and it will stink less as the playground is shielded from the garbage bin by the washrooms. There will be merry-go-round and a spider web in the playground.

The last feature of the BBQ area is the water feature that will be a small water canal that is beside the major pathway through the area. It is built to match the natural environment theme in the area and also to complement the pathway.

Secondly, we decided to install a roof Garden on the highest floors of HDB blocks in the area. The roof garden is important, as it will play a big part promoting interaction. In this garden, people will be able to chill out and take a nice walk. As such, they will be able to interact with one another. Furthermore just the presence of the roof garden itself will be the talk of the entire town that can bring people together. A bridge that is located in between the 2 blocks will link the roof gardens to one another. With this bridge, the link will promote much better interaction within the community. The garden will feature lots of beautiful flowers and landscaping. There will also be extensions of the roof in the form of the wooden railings attached to the roof, parallel to it and long wooden structures that are built from to the ground just next to the creepers that span the entire height of the building. This is so as to guide creepers to grow from the ground up to the roof, thereby giving the place a much softer look. To tie in with the environmentally friendly theme of the BBQ area, we also decided to install solar panels in certain area of the roof garden such that they will not block sunlight to the plants in the garden but provide shade to the people visiting the garden who can choose to sit on benches positioned in the shade of the solar panels. 2 lifts will be operating and are located at both ends of the garden that will stop at every floor of the whole block. This will be great for the residents in the block as it will be an added convenience, and the lifts make the roof garden more accessible and hence more attractive.

Overall, the plan for LEISUREATION@KAKI is not too drastic to the extent that it will entail major demolition works; its main aim is to promote interaction by turning the place into a unique area for gatherings and discussion amongst the community that will also draw youths that are curious to hear and see LEISURATION@KAKI.


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