Building a Dream Singapore2065
August 2015
Homes in the clouds and under the sea; all-purpose buildings with residences, offices, malls, and playgrounds; sci-fi-worthy visions of robot helpers and climate-controlled domes – when Singapore dreams, it dreams big. Visitors to the Singapore STories: Then, Now, Tomorrow at the ArtScience Museum can see these futuristic dreams of Singapore in 50 years’ time in living colour from 17 July to 4 October 2015. The ideas are the 50 top ideas from over 2,000 crowd-sourced from CapitaLand’s #BuildSG2065, a nation-wide initiative in which Singapore was asked to imagine what the island’s built environment would be like in 2065
“#BuildSG2065 was created to capture the public’s dreams and aspirations for Singapore, specifically towards our built environment. As we look back at our past successes and challenges in this important milestone of SG50, we wanted to inspire Singaporeans to look ahead, using what we have learnt to build a better future,” said Lim Ming Yan, President & Group CEO of CapitaLand, the Presenting Sponsor of the exhibition.
Geography was no barrier to the visioning exercise. While locals made up more than 90% of the entries received between 23 February and 24 May, there were also participants from 22 other countries.
Age was not an issue either. The youngest visionary was four-year-old Ayra Lim Binte Mohd Yusri.
“I wish for a robot helper, so that Mummy will have more time to play with me. When I grow up, the robot can help me tidy my room.”
Walk into the Future
Walking into the Singapore STories: Then, Now, Tomorrow’s Forum gallery is like walking into the future. The top 50 ideas of centennial Singapore are divided into five sections. At Up, down, and out, suggestions on how to manage Singapore’s space constraints are housed - super skyscraper with high-speed lifts, subterranean suburbs, underwater cities, and floating pods. We’ve got the powerexplores alternative sources of energy from the kinetic energy generated by pedestrians and marathon runners to sound energy from the laughter of children. Back to the futurelooks at the possibility of jet rides to the moon and lunar lifts to outer space as forms of transportation in 2065. To bring together people and places, participants’ proposed megatowers with multi amenities, and social focal points such as rooftop farms or kampong (village) style communal areas. These can be seen in Integrated and interconnected spaces . The final section, Home smart home, postulates a future with smart technology that allow for mobile capsules and outdoor activities like gardening indoors.
“However far-fetched the ideas may seem, they can be tomorrow’s reality. There are certainly many ideas that we can pilot and try out, and others that we can explore as technology matures,” said Mr Lim.
He added that many of the aspirations align with CapitaLand’s emphasis on sustainability, integrated developments and community spaces.
Experience the Future
For those who cannot wait another 50 years to experience SG100, they can immerse themselves in technologies of tomorrow at the #BuildSG2065 showcase. Speak into Vox Boxes to find out what you can power up with sound energy. Be awed by a 360-degree Virtual Reality (VR) experience. The Smart Home powered by Samsung Gear VR with exclusive #BuildSG2065 content created by Isobar Singapore features a multimedia wall that provides updates on just about everything along with robots, sensors, drones, and holographs.
Another way to have a total experience at the exhibition is to snap a selfie or wefie whenever you spot the hashtag #BuildSG2065 at the Forum gallery. Follow CapitaLand and post it on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #BuildSG2065. The 10 most popular photos will each win 50,000STAR$® at the end of the exhibition.
CapitaLand has also compiled the top 50 ideas into a book. The Book of 50 was presented to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the exhibition’s gala opening on 15 July 2015 as an SG50 Gift to the Nation.
“I am very sad to give away my drawing, but I am very proud that the picture is in a book for PM Lee. I love Singapore!” said little Ayra.
Together for the Future
Even as #BuildSG2065 was designed to inspire policy makers, urban planners and developers, the campaign also drew support from educators. From pre-school, EtonHouse, to the AWWA SSCC programme (Asian Women’s Welfare Association’s Special Student Care Centre), teachers have been using the illustrations of the top 50 ideas published in the #BuildSG2065 special of The Straits Times on 1 July 2015 to give their young charges a portrait of future Singapore. The little ones even gave their own depictions of Singapore 2065.
As we celebrate 50 years of nation building, it is clear that there are no lack of ideas or imagination. With so much to spur us on, let us work together to build a dream Singapore 2065.