A Venture into the Future of JTC Industrial Estate in Kallang and Kolam Ayer

February 2020

Present conditions

Currently, the Kallang Industrial precinct is dedicated towards MNCs. Its factory plot size is larger to cater for larger scale production and delivery. With its plot layout suited for MNCs and large enterprises, it is a tabula rasa industrial precinct, and takes on an international identity in spatial form, architectural design and food establishment.

On the other hand, Kolam Ayer is primarily for local SMEs (small scale enterprises) with comparatively smaller plot sizes. Evidence of this is present in the urban grains, such as in plot sizes and transportation planning - this includes the road network and grid size, from cars and vans to small trucks and container trucks. Kolam Ayer is also adjacent to residential areas, and the site is highly connected to these residential areas through a network of streets and convenient crossings.

Existing trades in the area are diverse - local enterprises are built and based on differing industries, from handicrafts and the cottage industry, to small-scale mechanical and machinery industries. Not only this, but there is also a presence of local culture, religions, customs, and food. While there is an intensive road and street network, walking and cycling is also a convenient means to get around the area.

Contextualizing ‘Global and Local’

While it is important to understand the local context of the site, it is also crucial for Singapore to look towards the international community to guide future development. This has been done through the means of developing creative local enterprises such as Razer and Grab: through nurturing and promoting such local enterprises in a Smart environment, these companies possess the cutting edge know-how, plugging into the global marketplace in the new economy. The present and future trajectories of the global marketplace must be kept in mind when appraising future needs in order to attract local and foreign start-ups.

A physical transformation is required to propel Singapore’s urban landscape into the future. Continuous development of infrastructure and smart circular ecosystems are a catalyst for the creation of liveable, productive, mobile, recreational, learning, caring, and resilient environments. The creative class is pivotal, and it is necessary to make provision for these ‘creative nomads’ with distinctive lifestyles and habits. While developing such infrastructure, there should also be a slower paced mode of connectivity between different regions in Singapore, such as park connectors, green lungs, and cross-island cycling routes.

Insights from 2 MAUD (Master of Urban Design) Studio Projects

Project 1: Verdant Veranda of Kallang

The Verdant Veranda of Kallang is a maker’s hub in liveable, resilient, diverse, and vibrant districts. The productive districts balance living, working, learning, producing, socializing - all within walkable distances. The existing situation, as well as the Innovative Education neighbourhood, the traditional maker district, the makers’ neighbourhood, and R&D district are all integrated within one another with productive functions.

Measures such as stormwater management infrastructure constructed along the streets, water-recycling systems, and ecological corridors are also implemented. Additional green infrastructure such as flooding pathways and bioswales with planters are not only able to direct water to the river, but also help filter and filtrate water. Parks in this project function much like kidneys. Sitting at the low-points of the precincts, they capture, manage, filter, store, and transpire stormwater runoff from the roof of adjacent buildings. Rivers have multi-functional edges with accessible waterfronts, creating habitable zones and recreational programmes while retaining and improving the existing urban structure.

The districts have a great degree of mobility, with multiple modes of public transport systems and transportation hubs. Not only this, but spaces are highly connected and porous, creating greater walkability through natural canopies and continuous pedestrian route systems with pockets of urban spaces and gardens. An urban boulevard and green corridor is created within multi-functional wetland terraces. The project proposes programmes and facilities such as crafts education, vehicle research, design studios, research centres, exhibition centres, fabrication labs, community centres, idea incubators, makers’ centres, and more to spur development, while still retaining existing small factories, as well as the adaptive reuse of factories and similar-scaled buildings with cultural and commercial function.

Project 2: Living Machine

In the Living Machine, the future hybrid city is not only reflected spatially in its horizontal and vertical mix-used functions, but also in its mobility system. The figure ground map shows a large urban garden by the river (below ground energy recycling and production), and an organisation of buildings along grids. The programme map shows an emphasis on ‘Live Work Play’, while the mobility map depicts different modes of transportation such as through BRT or water public transport, as well as different tiers of pedestrian levels.

Most importantly, however, the future city is an ecosystem. The Living Machine acts as a green lung, collecting the waste and sewage from the city, and recycling energy, water, and food to make the city a self-sufficient, net-zero district. The Green and Blue network map outlines a central urban garden, with a blue network and pedestrian footpaths.