Have you wondered about Singapore’s approach to battling the rising temperature? This has been a burning question on my mind lately, especially The National Environmental Agency’s (NEA) projection that Singapore's annual mean temperature to increase between 0.6 to 5 °C by the end of the century. Furthermore, extreme weather events will intensify, with more frequent hot days exceeding 35 °C.
Recently, I had the opportunity to understand and learn more through 1.5Degree’s field trip to the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) “Shaping a Heat Resilient City” exhibition.
Key Highlights
As part of a guided tour, volunteers from URA introduced us to numerous innovative strategies displayed in the exhibition. From enhancing outdoor and indoor comfort to implementing district-scale microclimate interventions, these solutions aim to create a sustainable and comfortable environment.
Inventing Groundbreaking Technology
One interesting solution that caught my attention was the introduction of the Mycelium-based elephant tiles. These tiles help to keep things cool by mimicking the bumpy skin of an elephant. They are made from bamboo fibres, oats, and a fungus called Pleurotus ostreatus, and boast a 25% improvement in the heating/cooling ratio compared to flat tiles. Such innovation reflects a promising result to reduce our dependency on indoor air conditioning and champion sustainability by using byproducts and waste products.
Reimagining Public Spaces
On a larger scale, the design of certain public spaces can also help to create a cooler city by modifying environmental conditions. Some existing buildings that have made use of this are Guoco Tower and Marina One, which have uniquely designed features that help reduce lower surrounding temperatures by up to 8.4 degrees Celsius. Environmental modelling simulations are used in this design process, using real-world measurements that allow planners and architects to study different building configurations and street designs to optimise heat regulation.
Reflections
The topic of how Singapore uses research and innovation to combat the adverse effects of heat has been on my mind recently, and this exhibition has inspired me. I was also heartened to see the diverse group of attendees at the workshop, from students to working professionals, each bringing their unique perspective on the matter.
This exhibition provided a fascinating glimpse into the innovative solutions and concerted efforts in place to create a more comfortable and future-ready Singapore amidst the challenges of climate change. If you are like me, curious about how Singapore is combating the rising temperatures, be sure to make your way down today and learn more about the initiatives shaping our heat-resilient city of tomorrow!
Details:
Date: 17 Nov 2023 - 01 Mar 2024
Location: URA Centre, Level 1, Atrium
Entry is free. Sign up for a guided tour here.
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