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SINGAPORE: A central green corridor connecting East Coast Park and Changi Beach Park will be created as part of plans to “further transform” the eastern part of Singapore, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said on Saturday (September 26).
This new route will run along New Upper Changi Road and Loyang Way. A network of community corridors will also be built to connect the central green corridor with other parks and gardens, Heng said.
There are also plans to introduce cycle lanes along the entire 15 km route.
An illustration of the Central Green Corridor and Community Corridors on the East Coast (Photo: NParks)
“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, more Singaporeans have moved to our nature reserves and parks. We have seen a significant increase in visitors. As we emerge from this crisis, we must continue to grow, and even accelerate, our green efforts, ”Heng said.
“We are working to transform Singapore into a ‘City in Nature’, where we will redouble our efforts to integrate nature into our urban environment and intensify nature in our city.”
Community corridors will have lush greenery for a “cooler and more comfortable” experience for pedestrians and cyclists, said Heng, who is a GRC East Coast Member of Parliament. A variety of native trees and shrubs will be planted to resemble the appearance of natural forests along these corridors.
Known as Nature Ways, these corridors will also connect green areas and enhance their overall biodiversity.
Artist’s impression of the future Nature Way along Upper Changi Rd East. (Photo: NParks)
READ: Singapore to plant 1 million trees and develop more gardens and parks by 2030
There are currently 34 Nature Ways in Singapore, stretching for 130 km in total. Over the next 10 years, the National Parks Board (NParks) hopes to create 300 km of Nature Ways and make each path a Nature Way in the long term.
NParks will involve the community in these plans and work with residents to develop programs for these green spaces.
New nature-based services will also be built and connected to the corridor network, Heng said. These include more community gardens, more therapeutic gardens in parks and natural play gardens for children, said Heng, who visited Pulau Ubin on Saturday with National Development Minister Desmond Lee.
Heng and Lee’s visit marked the ninth edition of Ubin Day, which was first celebrated in 2002. Ubin Day aims to celebrate the island’s rich heritage, with its associated activities online this year due to the COVID pandemic. -19. .
