Is Singapore building too fast – Unheard of flooding in 3 years!

Posted on September 11, 2013 by

“Floods were largely eradicated by the 90s. Why are floods making a comeback from 2008 onwards? I think its a confluence of factors, including building too much too fast without drainage & run-offs, heavier deluge of water each rainfall, damming up the barrage, etc. And I think our politicians have overpromised on their ability to solve these problems.” – Seldom Bin Laid

Is Singapore Building Too Fast?

Source: Todayonline 11 Sep 2013

From Victor Ong Chee Peng

I refer to this week’s VoicesTODAY topic, “Floods: A natural or a man-made problem?”.

In the 1950s and ’60s, floods in low-lying areas were common; people took precautions, and the Government took mitigating action. Teachers’ Estate is a good example.

Today, there are floods in places that would have been unheard of before. Has rainfall doubled, causing our drains to flood? Or are we building too fast? Building roads seems to be the next big thing, and I hope that the respective agencies meet and share responsibility in these issues.

Seldom Bin Laid · Top Commenter · Jakarta, Indonesia

agree with the writer. Growing up in the 70s, I experienced floods in Queenstown & Bt Timah areas. Floods were largely eradicated by the 90s. Why are floods making a comeback from 2008 onwards? I think its a confluence of factors, including building too much too fast without drainage & run-offs, heavier deluge of water each rainfall, damming up the barrage, etc. And I think our politicians have overpromised on their ability to solve these problems.Don’t ask me for solutions…I’ve none & I’m not an engineer by training. And why appoint an eye surgeon to helm an engineering organisation? And what had happened to experienced hands who’ve been rotated quickly out of position into other unfamiliar roles? And are there any brilliant hand-on engineers in the ministry who’s not a scholar but is deserving of rising through the ranks?

Enough malls, use land for other activities

Source: Todayonline, 7 September 2013

From Chua Sheng Yang –

After the recent openings of the JCube and JEM shopping malls in Jurong and with the coming opening of Westgate mall in Jurong at year’s end, it feels like Singapore is becoming one big, endless mall.

Whether one visits Orchard, Jurong, Tampines or Woodlands, the shopping mall is ubiquitous, filled with standard brands and shops.

While this reflects the increasing wealth and consumerism in Singapore and is, in a way, a positive barometer of the living standard, I wonder if these spaces could instead have been set aside by the Government to encourage new leisure activities and add to Singapore’s vibrancy.

For example, land could be set aside for arts spaces in suburban areas, parks where we can encourage buskers and food trucks, or even a farmer’s market to add to the vibrancy of an area. These activities will add to Singapore’s “soul” and increase our vibrancy both as a nation and as a tourist destination.