How Do You Grow One of the World's Densest Cities Without New Land?

Singapore has built skywards and taken back land from the sea to accommodate its booming population. But as the city-state runs out of options for future growth, it's looking underground to build infrastructure, offices, and even public spaces.

1 minute read

September 26, 2013, 12:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


In one of the world's most crowded cities, making the most of the space available—and envisioning creative ways of creating new space—is a common challenge. But as Singapore searches for ways to accommodate 1.5 million more people over the next 15 years, it's "considering a novel solution: building underground to create an extensive, interconnected city, with shopping malls, transportation hubs, public spaces, pedestrian links and even cycling lanes," writes Calvin Yang.

"But the idea of working and living underground has met with some skepticism from the public," Yang notes. “'Over the years, many of us have relocated from kampongs to high-rise living in government flats,' said Joseph Tan, 69, a retired accountant, referring to traditional Malay villages. 'Just when we have finally adjusted to living in these residential buildings, there are plans for us to live below ground. At my age, I just hope to live comfortably.'”

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