In a 2018 speech at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, Lee Hsien Loong, the city state’s prime minister at the time, told students about how design has played a critical role in Singapore’s development since its independence in 1965.
“Singapore is a nation by design,” he said. “Nothing we have today is natural, or happened by itself. Somebody thought about it, made it happen.”
Over the past 60 years, Singapore has devised many creative solutions to improve the lives of its people. These include setting up the Housing and Development Board (HDB) to establish a public housing programme, creating a public transport system that is among the world’s most efficient and reliable, and promoting biodiversity by integrating nature into the urban landscape.
The city state was designated a Unesco Creative City of Design in 2015 for infusing creativity into its efforts to drive sustainable urban development. That same year, Singapore launched its Design 2025 Masterplan to outline its vision to become an innovation-driven economy by adopting strategies such as bringing design into the community and infusing design as part of the national skill set.
Singapore’s notable design hotspots
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Punggol Digital District
Located in northeastern Singapore, this 50-hectare (123-acre) new neighbourhood developed by the Jurong Town Corporation is envisioned as an innovation- and education-focused business park, as well as being the city state’s first smart district. The design for the community-centric business park, created by architecture firm WOHA, emphasises green corridors and communal gardens, including a 1.3km (0.8-mile) heritage trail. The first phase of Punggol Digital District opened in August last year, and the whole area is expected to be completed by next year.
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Mandai Wildlife Reserve
Home to five wildlife parks – the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, Bird Paradise, River Wonders and Rainforest Wild Asia – this 126-hectare (311-acre) destination is home to green public spaces, an eco-friendly resort and a diverse range of flora and fauna, including about 1,000 animal species. Sustainability plays a key role in the reserve’s design, with attractions built around existing trees and innovative technology being used to minimise energy and water use. Bird Paradise took home the Design of the Year accolade at the 2025 edition of the President’s Design Award in Singapore.
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Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park
The 62-hectare (153-acre) public park, named after the two housing estates it sits between, opened in 2012 as the result of a three-year redevelopment project. Using soil bio-engineering, the designers transformed a drainage canal dating back to the late 1980s, revitalising a section of the Kallang River to serve as a central feature of the park. This led to a 30 per cent increase in biodiversity, with the park now home to dozens of wildflower, bird and insect species. The park received the Design of the Year title at the 2012 edition of the President’s Design Award in Singapore.
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Jurong Lake Gardens
Opened in 2019, Jurong Lake Gardens is Singapore’s third national garden and the first in the city state’s heartland. The 90-hectare (222-acre) lakeside green space was designed to restore the site’s original freshwater swamp forest before the Jurong Lake district’s industrialisation in the 1960s. The goal is to enrich the neighbourhood’s biodiversity and provide a place where locals and visitors can reconnect with nature.
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Changi Airport
First opened in 1981, Changi Airport has grown to four terminals and served
67.7 million passengers in 2024. A fifth terminal is under construction, to open in the mid-2030s. Changi is the world’s first airport to incorporate gardens into its design, and it is also connected to Jewel, a multi-purpose lifestyle complex designed by architect Moshe Safdie. It has been named the world’s best airport 13 times so far by British aviation consultancy Skytrax.First opened in 1981, Changi Airport has grown to four terminals and served 67.7 million passengers in 2024. A fifth terminal is under construction, to open in the mid-2030s. Changi is the world’s first airport to incorporate gardens into its design, and it is also connected to Jewel, a multi-purpose lifestyle complex designed by architect Moshe Safdie. It has been named the world’s best airport 13 times so far by British aviation consultancy Skytrax.
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The first HDB flats
Located in Singapore’s Queenstown neighbourhood, 45, 48 and 49 Stirling Road are three seven-storey residential buildings. They are the first blocks to have been completed by the HDB after taking over the construction project from its predecessor, Singapore Improvement Trust, in 1960. HDB flats were designed as a solution to the city’s housing crisis, which saw many people living in unhygienic and crowded settlements. To date, over 1 million flats have been completed, and more than 80 per cent of Singaporeans live in HDB units.
Punggol
Digital District
Mandai
Wildlife Reserve
Bishan-Ang
Mo Kio Park
Jurong Lake
Gardens
Changi Airport
The first HDB flats
Read on to learn about three examples which embody Singapore’s forward-looking and citizen-centric approach to design: the decades-long urban planning mega-project of Marina Bay, a senior-friendly public housing development aimed at serving an ageing population, and various initiatives that encourage Singaporeans to make healthier lifestyle choices.
Building Singapore’s skyline
with a holistic approach to
urban planning
and design
The southern tip of Singapore, where Marina Bay is located today, has been a window to the world for the city state since its early days as a trading port in the 1800s, when the area served as the centre for commercial activities and a point of entry for visitors and immigrants. Following its independence in the mid-1960s, Singapore gradually developed and implemented an integrated approach to urban planning, and the transformation of Marina Bay is perhaps its most successful example.
In the late 1960s and 70s, the nation saw the need to plan for the longer term and to grow the city centre to attract investment, talent and tourists. This resulted in the conceptualisation of Marina Bay, and the decades-long development began in 1971 with ambitious land reclamation efforts. By the late 1990s, 360 hectares of land had been reclaimed to support the vision of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) – Singapore’s national land-use planning and conservation authority – for Marina Bay to serve not only as an extension of the central business district, but also a vibrant waterfront district with many attractions plus ample green and blue spaces.
Marina Bay, envisioned as a place for people to live, work and play around the clock, is now home to many of Singapore’s iconic landmarks. This centrepiece of the cityscape has continued evolving to support its sustainable development.
Today, the area is home to many of the city state’s iconic landmarks and continues to evolve as a sustainable, energetic place designed for people to live, work and play around the clock.
“Singapore takes a long-term and integrated approach in urban planning to comprehensively balance different demands and priorities, such as economic growth, social inclusivity and environmental protection,” says Fun Siew Leng, URA’s chief urban designer. “This allows us to steward our limited land resources to support sustainable development, and to ensure that the needs of our nation, city and people are met.”
Fun adds that Marina Bay’s success is the result of URA’s holistic approach to land-use planning and urban design, as well as its close partnerships with other government agencies and private-sector developers. For example, URA introduced the concept of “white zoning” to provide market flexibility and encourage a good mix of commercial, residential, hotel and entertainment developments in Marina Bay, resulting in interconnected “live-work-play communities” across the area.
URA also ensured the entirety of Marina Bay is highly accessible. Eight Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations spanning four lines dot the area, while key landmarks such as Marina Bay Sands and the ArtScience Museum are connected by a 3.5km waterfront promenade.
Located at the southern tip of Singapore, the area that is now known as Marina Bay first served as the centre for commercial activities during the 1800s. A couple of centuries later, the city state remains committed to further developing the area and reinforcing its status as an urban design masterpiece.
“Thoughtful urban design was prioritised in the planning of Marina Bay,” Fun says. “For instance, buildings along the waterfront are kept low and framed by taller skyscrapers at the back to safeguard views and create a visually dynamic skyline with pleasant and pedestrian-friendly areas.”
The parks and open spaces are also designed to be “integrated into the larger green and blue networks in the area”, according to Fun. “More than 100 hectares of land was set aside to develop Gardens by the Bay. Today, the three interconnected gardens create extensive green frontages for the developments around the district, bolstering Singapore’s ‘City in Nature’ identity.”
Marina Barrage, set at the mouth of the Marina Channel, serves three key functions. It has a 10,000-hectare catchment area that collects rainwater to boost Singapore’s water supply, and it also helps reduce flooding risks in low-lying areas. In addition, its sloping turfed roof has become a popular public green space for recreational activities.
Just as we are never done planning and building Singapore, works to develop and enhance Marina Bay continue to evolve
Fun Siew Leng,
chief urban designer,
Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority
The decades-long journey to transform Marina Bay into the centrepiece of Singapore’s cityscape is far from over. The expansion project for Marina Bay Sands to add more events and entertainment facilities, including a fourth tower and a new waterfront venue called NS Square, are prime examples of the nation’s continuing efforts to enhance this urban design masterpiece and stay competitive on a global level.
“Just as we are never done planning and building Singapore, works to develop and enhance Marina Bay continue to evolve,” Fun says. “These efforts will ensure that Marina Bay and its surrounding areas will remain vibrant and relevant for current and future generations of Singaporeans and visitors.”
Key design landmarks of Marina Bay
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Marina Bay Sands
This waterfront integrated resort, designed by architect Moshe Safdie, became Singapore’s most recognisable landmark when it opened in 2010. Spanning more than 120,000 square metres (1.3 million square feet), the complex comprises three 57-storey hotel towers, a luxury shopping centre, a theatre, a museum, a casino, multiple event spaces and a 200-metre-high (656-foot) rooftop observation deck – the world’s longest cantilever structure – complete with an infinity pool overlooking the city.
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Gardens by the Bay
Featuring three waterfront gardens – Bay South, Bay East and Bay Central – this horticulture-themed attraction spans 101 hectares (250 acres) around Marina Bay. The Bay South Garden, which opened in 2012, is the largest and houses landmarks such as the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest and Supertree Grove. Singapore’s President’s Design Award named it Design of the Year in 2013 for its integration of cutting-edge architectural, engineering and horticultural innovations, as well as its sustainability-driven vision.
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NS Square
Replacing the Float @ Marina Bay, this new multi-purpose waterfront outdoor event venue has been under construction since March last year and is expected to be completed in 2027. It will feature a 30,000-seat grandstand, a large permanent stage deck that can host concerts and performances, water sports facilities and a gallery that showcases the history of Singapore’s National Service.
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Marina Barrage
This dam built across the mouth of the Marina Channel was originally proposed by Singapore’s first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, and opened in 2008. Marina Barrage acts as a tidal barrier to alleviate the risk of flooding in low-lying areas and helps augment the freshwater supply to the city’s residents. Beyond its use as a comprehensive water management system, it is also a popular recreational site for activities such as windsurfing, kayaking and kite-flying.
Marina Bay Sands
Gardens
by the Bay
NS Square
Marina
Barrage
Photo: AGA
Designing a senior-friendly
residential project
for Singapore’s
ageing society
Singapore’s population is ageing rapidly, and the city state is expected to become a “super-aged society” – with 20 per cent or more of its population aged 65 and above – in 2026. By 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be 65 and up.
The World Economic Forum’s “Global Risks Report 2025” identified super-aged societies as a growing risk worldwide. To alleviate concerns, experts have called for governments and businesses to invest in long-term planning strategies for healthcare and building community structures that will enhance social resilience and cohesion.
In Singapore, a national initiative called Age Well SG – launched by the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of National Development (MND) and the Ministry of Transport (MOT) to support seniors in their homes and their communities – aims to help citizens age actively, stay socially connected and be cared for within their communities.
Age Well SG is a national programme launched by several Singaporean government departments to help senior citizens stay active and socially connected as well as ensure they receive proper care and support within their communities.
As part of the initiative, HDB, together with MND and MOH, introduced Community Care Apartments as a new assisted-living typology for seniors. The first of these projects, Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok, was completed late last year.
The 15-storey residential block comprises 169 flats designed for people aged 65 and above, with the units being sold on leases ranging from 15 to 35 years. Community Care Apartments are paired with essential services that enable seniors to stay healthy and active while ageing with peace of mind. Residents subscribe to a basic care service package which includes benefits such as simple home repairs, basic health checks and 24-hour emergency response. The development also has the 1,945-square-metre Bukit Batok West Hawker Centre, as well as an activity centre and outdoor green spaces equipped with senior-friendly fitness equipment and recreational areas.
An AI-generated image of the interior of a Community Care Apartment at Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok. This illustration was produced with the assistance of Gemini.
Ng Hoe Theong, director of AGA Architects, HDB’s appointed consultant for Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok, says: “Singapore is expanding housing options to support our seniors to age in place through innovative residential typologies solutions. Harmony Village is not merely a housing development. It is a nexus for community and care, where architecture serves life, and design empowers and supports ageing in place.
“Our main challenge was to harmonise the needs of the elderly residents, the hawker centre and communal features within this compact site. This required careful spatial planning, cross-agency coordination and engaging with all the stakeholders.”
Each 32-square-metre unit at Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok comes with senior-friendly fittings, including a wheelchair-accessible bathroom that has slip-resistant flooring, grab bars and a foldable shower seat. The development also features furnished communal spaces designed for hosting activities such as mahjong and karaoke, which can help encourage residents to connect with their neighbours. Signage with distinctive motifs and colours have also been put in place to facilitate wayfinding within the development.
As architects, we have a role to play in shaping a more compassionate, resilient and equitable society. Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok is one step in this larger mission
Ng Hoe Theong,
director,
AGA Architects
“Creating spaces that are flexible, accessible and dignified is not just a social responsibility, it is also essential to future-proofing our urban environment,” Ng says.
“As architects, we have a role to play in shaping a more compassionate, resilient and equitable society. Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok is one step in this larger mission. We are proud to contribute to a project that sets a new benchmark for senior-friendly living in Singapore.”
Key design features of
Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok
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Community Care Apartments
Each of the 169 units at Harmony Village has senior-friendly design features such as a wheelchair-accessible bathroom with slip-resistant flooring, grab bars and a foldable shower seat.
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Communal spaces
Harmony Village has multiple furnished communal spaces to encourage social interactions and community bonding. Each space, designed as an extension of the living room in each residential unit, has a different theme and caters to various interests, including reading and board games.
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Accessible navigation
The entire Harmony Village development comes with distinct signage and barrier-free access routes in the public areas to help residents navigate their way around with ease.
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Outdoor green spaces
The rooftop garden on the third floor of the Harmony Village complex is equipped with senior-friendly fitness equipment to promote an active lifestyle.
Community
Care Apartments
Communal
spaces
Accessible
navigation
Outdoor
green spaces
How design nudges guide
Singaporeans towards
healthier choices
Singapore is known as the world’s sixth “blue zone” – a designation given to places where people live exceptionally long and healthy lives. The city state has been credited for increasing citizens’ longevity through well-planned healthcare policies, community initiatives and urban development.
Design is being used to make a positive impact on Singaporeans’ health and well-being. For decades, initiatives have been implemented that combine the expertise of healthcare and design practitioners to benefit society. These range from using graphic design on posters for family planning in the 1960s to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital’s integration of nature in its layout to maximise natural ventilation and daylight for patients’ well-being.
Photo: Singapore Ministry of Health
Singapore's healthcare-related promotional posters released through the years showcase how design can help amplify important messages.
A prominent recent example is the Nutri-Grade labelling system, implemented by MOH in late 2022 to specify the sugar and saturated fat content in pre-packaged beverages. The system was expanded in 2023 to cover freshly made drinks, and by 2027 it will also provide information on the levels of sodium and saturated fat in some pre-packaged food items and condiments. Another example is the Healthier Choice Symbol, which Singapore’s Health Promotion Board (HPB) created for packaged food products to help consumers easily identify items that are better for their diet.
Nutri-Grade labels are required to be placed on all pre-packaged and freshly made beverages sold in Singapore.
“The Nutri-Grade label is quite well-embedded with Singaporeans now. It’s showing up in different ways, from food delivery apps to bubble tea shops. It’s become part of the decision-making process – a behavioural design nudge that can influence the purchaser’s decision to make a healthier choice,” says Tamsin Greulich-Smith, director of design practice at DesignSingapore Council.
However, she stresses that the label needs to be supported by other measures – for instance, revamping the design of supermarkets to make candies and sweet snacks less accessible – in order for it to significantly reduce people’s sugar intake.
HPB’s Healthy 365 and LumiHealth apps have also been successful in encouraging Singaporeans to adopt a healthy lifestyle through gamification. The apps aim to make healthy living fun by offering points to users who complete physical activity or nutrition challenges. The points can then be redeemed for shopping or dining vouchers at HPB partner outlets.
Keep scrolling to read about
the health-focused design initiatives illustrated below
Nutri-Grade labels
Nutri-Grade ranks drinks based on their levels of sugar and saturated fat. Drinks with an “A” grade have the lowest sugar and saturated fat content, while those graded “D” have the highest. The labels are designed to help consumers easily identify healthier drink choices.
Healthy 365 and LumiHealth
Developed by HPB, the Healthy 365 app is designed to promote healthier living and allows users to track their physical activities and daily habits such as step count, workouts and making healthy food purchases. Similarly, the LumiHealth app, developed by Apple for HPB, is another popular gamified wellness programme where users can earn rewards for adopting health habits involving nutrition or physical activity.
Healthier Choice Symbol
The Healthier Choice Symbol is placed on packaged food products and in hawker centre stalls to help consumers make more informed choices. The symbol can be found on about 4,000 items in Singapore, including pre-packaged meals, condiments, breakfast cereals and beverages.
Cycling paths and park connectors
Singapore’s Park Connector Network features more than 380km of interconnecting trails that link major parks and nature areas across the island. The city also has an ever-growing network of cycling paths that connects residents from their homes to major transport interchanges and essential amenities in each neighbourhood. Upon completion in 2030, the network is expected to reach about 1,300km.
Nutri-Grade
labels
Healthy 365
and LumiHealth
Healthier Choice Symbol
Cycling paths
and park connectors
“Singapore has been exploring the role which technology can really play to enhance people’s well-being. Everything that the HPB has done, such as the National Steps Challenge [an initiative that encourages people to log a certain number of steps and exercise minutes daily], have been able to engage the health-conscious and the health-curious and motivate them to be active,” Greulich-Smith says. “There are ongoing initiatives that are looking at how to reach groups that haven’t been engaged yet as well.”
We’re allowing design and care to come together, and enabling care professionals to bring design and innovation into their work
Tamsin Greulich-Smith,
director of design practice,
DesignSingapore Council
Meanwhile, DesignSingapore Council’s role is to build a bridge between the healthcare and design industries by supporting initiatives that will make a positive impact while driving innovation. For example, its School of X programme, which encourages the public to adopt design thinking through various events, organises design sprints that bring healthcare providers and social services agencies together to discuss and devise design solutions to shared challenges.
“We’re allowing design and care to come together, and enabling care professionals to bring design and innovation into their work,” Greulich-Smith says. “There’s a real desire to bridge the gap and do even more.”
To learn more about Singapore's design story, visit the DesignSingapore Council website.
