10.03.2016
The Healthy City is a concept, jointly developed by Witteveen+Bos, OKRA and ZJA. The concept responds to the major challenges, currently facing Singapore. With an explosively growing population, Singapore is increasingly challenged to maintaining a healthy living environment. The Healthy City focuses on enhancing factors that determine health in large cities.
Last month, The Healthy City was presented in Singapore by Theo Salet of Witteveen+Bos. The booklet The Healthy City was handed over to various government agencies including the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the Land Transport Authority, the Jurong Town Corporation and the Dutch ambassador in Singapore. The booklet was received by all parties with great enthusiasm.
The essence of The Healthy City is to relocate above ground urban infrastructure to underground spaces in the city. Below ground level, a fully automated network is installed, that transports people, goods, energy and waste. This creates new space above ground for recreational purposes and re-connects parts of the city that were previously separated by above ground highways. Moreover, the construction of underground infrastructure improves air quality and safety and reduces noise pollution. The concept can be applied worldwide, with Singapore as an example for the rest of the world.