Bishan Park is part of Singapore’s Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Program, a long-term initiative to transform the city-state’s bodies of water into more inviting public parks. Prior to the redevelopment of the park, a 2.7-kilometer stretch of the Kallang River was fed through an unsightly concrete drainage channel. Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl liberated the river from the concrete, allowing it to flow through the park in a more naturalistic way.
When the old canal was deconstructed, the concrete was used to build a new lookout point called “Recycle Hill.” New bridges spanning the river were also built, providing new access points to the park and the river. The park also includes space for recreation, like Tai Chi, and places where people can wade in the water.
The new park doesn’t just look nicer — it also functions functions better. Some of the plants used in the landscaping were chosen for their ability to naturally purify water, which will enable the city to maintain water quality without excessive use of chemicals. And the new river bed can hold about 40 percent more water than the old canal, because it forms a flood plain during heavy rains, helping to protect the surrounding city from flooding.
+ Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl
+ World Architecture Festival
via Dezeen
