Study the following set of pictures which shows how development in Singapore has taken place. Then read the following two articles.
THEN: Images of the garbage-choked Singapore River are perhaps the starkest reminder of the country's polluted past. A 10-year programme to clean up Singapore's waterways was launched in 1977 by then-prime minster Lee Kuan Yew. -- ST FILE PHOTO
NOW: Singapore's waterways are not only clean, but they also have an essential role as water catchment areas. In addition, they will soon be places of recreation under the Active, Beautiful and Clean Waterways project by the national water agency, the PUB. -- TNP FILE PHOTO
A photo from the book depicts the dismal state of Singapore's garbage disposal system in the 1960s. Bins groaning with rubbish are emptied into a lorry. -- PHOTO: NATIONAL ARCHIVES
THEN: Workers collecting buckets of nightsoil in 1961. Human waste had to be removed in this way as the sewerage network was not as extensive or advanced as it is today. -- ST FILE PHOTO
NOW: The Deep Tunnel Sewerage System transports waste water via a network of tunnels up to 60m underground. The $7 billion 'superhighway' channels used water to a treatment plant in Changi. -- ST FILE PHOTO
THEN: Up till the 1970s, hawkers lined the streets, dumping their food waste and refuse onto sidewalks and into rivers. To improve public hygiene and standards of food preparation, hawkers were moved into purpose-built centres across the island. -- PHOTO: NATIONAL ARCHIVES
NOW: Singapore's hawker centres have become a mainstay of local cuisine, with many becoming tourist attractions in their own right. A major upgrading exercise launched in the 1990s has given more than half of the island's over 100 hawker centres a facelift. -- ST PHOTO FILEOct 18, 2008
BOOK REVIEW
From a backwater town to a sparkling metropolis
A book documenting Singapore's environmental journey will be launched next week. Clean, Green And Blue shows how the Republic has grown from a dirty, resource-poor town into a bustling cosmopolitan centre for green technology. Professor Asit Biswas, the 2006 Stockholm Water Prize winner, reviews the book.
I VIVIDLY recall a discussion that I had when Singapore became an independent country in August 1965, at the Faculty Club of the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, where I was teaching then.
The topic of our discussion was the future of Singapore. My four colleagues were somewhat pessimistic.
They did not see how a small state of about 600 sq km at the time, with a population of only about 1.5 million, no natural resources, per capita GDP of around US$1,500 (S$2,220), and no significant manufacturing and industrial base, could have a bright future.
My view was different.
I argued that behemoths such as India and China would find it difficult to turn on a dime.
However, a small nation like Singapore could be nimble, provided it had enlightened and strong leadership and good governance.
Looking back, it turns out that I was closer to the truth.
By 2005 - a period of only 40 years - the country had nearly four million people and a per capita GDP of close to US$27,000, an astonishing increase of 18 times over 1965.
The questions that need to be answered at present are how did Singapore do it, and what were the enabling conditions that made this country a miracle in the history of development?
My view has not changed during these four decades. The main reasons for this remarkable transformation have been enlightened and strong leadership and good governance, from which every strand of development has flowed.
Thus, it is appropriate that the book is dedicated to former prime minister (now Minister Mentor) Lee Kuan Yew, whose leadership ensured this miracle.
In this authoritative book, Mr Tan Yong Soon, who is the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, with the help of his colleagues Lee Tung Jean and Karen Tan, explains objectively and candidly the country's long environmental journey over the past 40 years.
It explains how Singapore made this transformation, as well as the background and the rationale for the policies that were formulated and, what is more important, successfully implemented; as well as the institutional evolutions that occurred which made this possible.
Right from its very independence, its leaders realised that environment and development are two sides of the same coin.
One affects the other and, in turn, is affected by the other.
For example: the Water Catchment Policy that was introduced in 1983 to control developments within unprotected catchment areas.
Less intensive development in these areas, coupled with stringent pollution control measures, helped ensure the good quality of water collected.
MM Lee clearly pointed out as early as 1968 the importance of maintaining 'a clean and green city'.
This was four years before the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Stockholm, when the world started to realise the importance of maintaining a good environment, concurrent with population growth, urbanisation and industrialisation.
The main ingredients which ensured where Singapore is today are:
Continuous clear vision of its leaders as to where the country should go in the future, and strong endorsement of this vision by its people;
Transformation of the vision into long-term plans, which have regularly evolved over time as the world and national conditions have so warranted;
Continuous consideration of management, technological and institutional innovations in the planning process; and
Ensuring that the vision, plans and programmes are practical and do-able, and can be implemented cost-effectively and within a stipulated time period with the full support of its people.
This approach has worked not only in the area of environment, but also in all aspects of the nation's development.
The book analyses how this overall philosophy was successfully implemented to control and manage air, land and water pollution.
It shows a nation that was transformed from a backwater town into a vibrant metropolis with cutting-edge water technology.
This remarkable and very readable book will not only make all Singaporeans proud of their environmental achievements and heritage, but also provide many valuable and practical lessons to other countries - both developed and developing - as to how their own environment can also be successfully managed.
In a world where gloom and doom stories take centre stage, it is refreshing to see a comprehensive analysis which shows categorically that, given good leadership (both political and professional), environment-development problems can be solved.
For anyone interested in such issues, and even if you read only one book a year, I would have no hesitation recommending that you read this remarkable and uplifting story of Singapore's environmental journey.
There is much to learn from this success story.
The writer is president of the Third World Centre for Water Management, Mexico, and Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School for Public Policy. He won the 2006 Stockholm Water Prize - the highest honour in the water profession. His work has been translated into 32 languages.
Oct 18, 2008
Little Green Dot
A new book shows how Singapore achieved environmental and water sustainability in just 40 years
By Tania Tan
BALANCING two big 'E's - the economy and the environment - will be Singapore's biggest challenge in the years to come. But if history is anything to go by, the little red dot has what it takes to live green and prosper.
A new book, which tells the Singapore story from the viewpoint of the environment, is now out.
Clean, Green And Blue spans the early days when getting clean water to citizens was a challenge, to the cutting-edge water technologies being developed here today.
Singapore has seen it all in the space of 40 short years.
In the coming uncertain times, economic growth may have to take precedence, but not at the expense of the environment, said Mr Tan Yong Soon, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, who penned the book along with his colleagues from the ministry.
'There will be some trade-offs if you want to achieve both,' he added. 'But it's doable.'
Published by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, the book is a 'how-to guide' for anyone interested in replicating Singapore's environmental success, said Mr Tan.
It gives a detailed look at how Singapore went about achieving environmental and water sustainability, which he hopes will 'urge Singaporeans to continue to support the environment'.
And because the green journey is a 'never-ending one', each person has a role to play, said Mr Tan.
The book is also a showcase of Singapore's environment and water achievements that its authors hope will help inspire other countries to achieve green gains.
'That's not to say that we have arrived,' said Mr Tan. 'There's always room for improvement.'
But the nation has always tried to live by the principle of balancing economic growth with liveability.
The 450-page book took about a year to write and is chock-full of
examples of the constant struggle between the two.
For example, then prime minister Lee Kuan Yew's bold decision in the 1970s to enforce legislation by the Anti-Pollution Unit, which imposed strict rules on polluting industries, seemed to threaten industrial growth in the fledgling nation.
But the decision to stand firm resulted in minimal smoke pollution - ensuring Singapore enjoyed good air quality alongside industrial growth.
It took foresight and practicality to progress without destroying the natural environment.
Singapore in the 1960s was a cesspool of filthy waterways and rudimentary sewerage systems - a situation many countries still face.
The first step was to bring clean water to people and build proper waste management facilities. Creating jobs by boosting the manufacturing industry without causing pollution was another hurdle that needed to be crossed.
For a nation without its own water supply or other natural resources, water independence was also put high on the national agenda - a move that resulted in the production of Newater some 30 years later.
Cleaning up the country's waterways, keeping industrial air pollution at bay and maintaining public hygiene have been the result of 'hard work and far-sightedness' from top leaders, especially from Mr Lee, now the Minister Mentor.
'We were very fortunate that our leaders had a clear vision, without which I doubt we would be where we are now,' noted Mr Tan.
Another little-known detail is that the country has spent more than $10 billion on major environmental infrastructure works over the past 30 years.
The book will be given to schools and institutions and used as a reference for foreign delegates participating in training workshops here.
Environmental proponents are looking forward to the tome.
The book gives 'interesting insights' into Singapore's environmental experience, especially in solving water problems, said Dr K.E. Seetharam, director of the Institute of Water Policy at the Lee Kuan Yew
School of Public Policy.
World-renowned water expert Asit Biswas, founder of the Third World Centre for Water Management in Mexico, also gave Singapore the thumbs up for its environmental journey so far.
But he was quick to add that many improvements could still be made in energy conservation.
'I walk into buildings and I'm frozen solid,' he told The Straits Times. 'The key will be whether this country can maintain its success in the years to come.'
Certainly, the Government is not leaving that to chance.
After the National Environment Agency launched a five-year, 10 per cent Energy Challenge campaign in April, the average household monthly consumption went down almost 4 per cent between May and August, compared to last year.
As Mr Tan wrote in the book: 'Going forward, Singapore needs to do more through setting higher standards for energy efficiency, regulations, and finding the right mechanisms and incentives to achieve the desired improvements in energy efficiency.'
taniat@sph.com.sg
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