Bishan Park

The Bishan Park is a park in Singapore. A former concrete channel was converted into a river and is part of an island-wide stormwater management program that serves both the drinking water supply and flood protection. The landscape architecture firm Atelier Dreiseitl and CH2M Hill will be responsible for the restoration of Bishan Park.

Conversion

Background information

Singapore is an island state with no natural water resources. Because of its insularity, the limited land area is extremely valuable. Despite tropical rainfall with about 2000 mm of rainfall per year since the 1960s is the rapidly growing city, before problems such as periodic drought, flooding and water pollution. Striking for the 1970s was the large-scale conversion of natural water systems in underground water pipes and concrete drainage channels. During this time, the Kallang River was forced in Bishan Park in his concrete corset.

The ABC Waters program, an acronym for " Active, Beautiful and Clean" was officially launched in 2006 with 20 projects for the years 2007-2012, a total to be realized by 2025, 100 projects.

The Bishan Park was selected in sequence as a pilot project. Long extensive changes were necessary in the park and the concrete bed of the Kallang River cut the adjacent neighborhoods Ang Mo Kio and Bishan from each other. Although the channel was empty most of the time, it was a tropical rain within a very short time to swell the amount of water to a height of two meters, causing a torrent was. With the aim of water retention and Abflussentschleunigung to ensure that planning for the Kallang River was started.

Design process

The city has in integrated water management recognized the opportunity to create " City of Gardens and Water" a vibrant. This interdisciplinary approach means that the improvement of water infrastructure is to be used simultaneously in order to enhance public space. Recreation, water management and the development of an urban nature should be able to co-exist side by side. The 2.7 km long and completely straight drainage channel was replaced by a meandering river with a length of 3 kilometers. 62 acres of parkland have been redesigned in order both to take into account the dynamics of the river system with its fluctuating water levels and periodic flooding, and the other to achieve the greatest benefit for the park visitors. Three adventure playgrounds, new restaurants, an observation deck, called the " Recycle Hill " - built entirely of demolition material of the channel - as well as green spaces belong to the river restoration.

Techniques

Bioengineering

In 2009, a test track was built to test various bioengineering techniques and a wide range of plants on a length of 70 meters. Finally, seven techniques were chosen for this project as fascines, riprap with cuttings, Reet roles, planted gabions and geotextiles.

Even before the completion of the construction work, the new river landscape biodiversity showed a 30% increase. A special innovation is the first time applied in a tropical region bioengineering techniques to stabilize the bank. Finally, the banks need to withstand the flood waters of a sudden rain storm and still provide habitat for flora and fauna. In the case of heavy rainfall acts a defined area of ​​the park as flood zone, which gives enough space to the water to expand and to slow speed and hydraulic power ( hydraulic overload ). This lies below the river neighborhoods from the floods be protected.

Cleaning biotopes

The treatment of rain water "on the spot ", ie where it falls on the ground, you need the right conditions such as green roofs or roads with infiltration strips. Only then will ensure that good quality water instead of dirty road wastewater feeds the river.

Adventure Playground

Bishan Park

Facts about the project

• Official opening: March 17, 2012 by the Prime Minister of Singapore
• Surface of Bishan Park: 62 hectares
• Visitors annually: more than 3 million
• Length of the restored river section of the Kallang River: 3 km
• Length of the previous concrete channel: 2.7 km ( 17-24 m wide)
• Total length of the Kallang River: 10 km
• Planning period: 2007-2010
• Establishment: October 2009 to February 2012 (2 ½ years)
• Construction Costs: SGD 76 million / € 45 million / U.S. $ 60 million

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