Bishan Park
The Bishan Park is a park in Singapore . A former concrete canal has been converted into a river and is part of an island-wide rainwater management program that serves both the drinking water supply and flood protection . The landscape architecture firm Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl and CH2M Hill are responsible for the renaturation of Bishan Park.
modification
Background information
Singapore is an island nation with no natural water resources. Because of its island location, the limited land area is extremely valuable. Despite tropical rainfalls with around 2000 millimeters of precipitation per year, the city, which has been growing rapidly since the 1960s, faces problems such as periodic drought, floods and water pollution. A striking feature of the 1970s was the large-scale conversion of the natural water systems into underground water pipes and concrete drainage channels. During this time, the Kallang River in Bishan Park was also forced into its concrete corset.
The ABC Waters Program, an acronym for “Active, Beautiful and Clean” was officially started in 2006 with 20 projects for the years 2007–2012. A total of 100 projects are to be implemented by 2025.
Bishan Park was subsequently selected as a pilot project. Extensive renovations had long been necessary in the park and the concrete bed of the Kallang River cut off the neighboring Ang Mo Kio and Bishan neighborhoods . Although the canal was empty most of the time, tropical rain could quickly swell the amount of water to a height of two meters, creating a torrent. Planning for the Kallang River was started with the aim of ensuring water retention and drainage acceleration.
Design process
The city has recognized the opportunity in integrated water management to create a lively “ City of Gardens and Water ”. This interdisciplinary approach means that the improvement of the water infrastructure should be used at the same time to upgrade public space. Local recreation, water management and the development of urban nature should be able to coexist. The 2.7 kilometer long and completely straight drainage canal was replaced by a meandering river 3 kilometers in length. 62 hectares of parkland were redesigned, on the one hand to take into account the dynamics of the river system with its fluctuating water levels and periodic flooding, and on the other hand to achieve the greatest possible benefit for the park visitors. Three adventure playgrounds, new restaurants, a viewing platform, the so-called “Recycle Hill” - built exclusively from demolition material from the canal - as well as green areas are part of the river rehabilitation.
techniques
Engineering biology
In 2009, a test track was set up over a length of 70 meters to test various biological engineering techniques and a wide range of plants. In the end, seven techniques were selected for this project, such as fascines, stone pouring with cuttings, thatch rolls, planted gabions and geotextiles .
Even before the construction work was completed, the new river landscape showed an increase in biodiversity of 30%. A special innovation are the biological engineering techniques used for the first time in a tropical region to stabilize the banks. After all, the banks have to withstand the sudden masses of water of heavy rain and still offer a habitat for flora and fauna. In the event of heavy rain, a defined area of the park functions as a flood zone, giving the water enough space to expand and to reduce speed and hydraulic power (hydraulic overload). This protects parts of the city below the river from the floods.
Cleansing biotopes
The treatment of rainwater "on the spot", ie where it falls on the ground, requires appropriate conditions such as green roofs or roads with infiltration strips. This is the only way to ensure that water of good quality instead of dirty street sewage feeds the river.
Tai Chi in Bishan Park
Adventure Playground
Bishan Park
Facts about the project
- Official opening: March 17th, 2012 by the Prime Minister of Singapore
- Bishan Park area: 62 hectares
- Visitors annually: over 3 million
- Length of the renatured stretch of the Kallang River: 3 km
- Length of the former concrete canal: 2.7 km (17-24 m width)
- Total length of the Kallang River: 10 km
- Planning period: 2007–2010
- Establishment: October 2009 to February 2012 (2 ½ years)
- Construction costs: SGD 76 million / € 45 million / US $ 60 million
source
- ↑ PUB, "Kallang River-Bishan Park ABC Waters Project" ( Memento of the original from April 14, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , PUB , 21 Sep 2010
- ↑ Jennifer Hattam, "Urban River Restoration Transforms Singapore Park" , TreeHugger , 21 March 2012
- ↑ PUB, "Kallang River-Bishan Park ABC Waters Project" ( Memento of the original from April 14, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , PUB , 21 Sep 2010
- ↑ National Parks Board Singapore, "Bringing Kallang River into Bishan Park" ( Memento of the original from June 4, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , National Parks Board Singapore , 01 Oct 2009
- ↑ PUB, "Kallang River @ Bishan - Ang Mo Kio Park" ( Memento of the original from February 2, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , PUB , 20 Mar 2012
- ↑ National Parks Board Singapore, "Bringing Kallang River into Bishan Park" ( Memento of the original from June 4, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , National Parks Board Singapore , 01 Oct 2009
