Singapore Study Trip 2025

The final leg of our journey took us across the Causeway back into Malaysia, where we explored the controversial mega-project Forest City, followed by a quick visit to Johor Premium Outlet. The shift in urban experience was stark. From Singapore’s fine-grained, people-centered urbanism, we arrived in a place built on speculation, scale, and spectacle. Forest City (Image credit: Mohd Rasfan/AFP via GettyImages) Forest City: A Cautionary Tale of Future Planning Often dubbed a "Ghost City" (Marsh, 2023), I wanted to see it for myself. The sales gallery was grand, with large urban models and impressive landscaping. The buildings were futuristic, and the vision was ambitious—high-end living, international business, and eco-innovation. Some families are playing at the waterpark, but walking through the actual streets reveals another story. Built on reclaimed land and envisioned as a smart eco-city, Forest City markets itself as a futuristic green utopia. But walking through its...

Our third day, May 9, began with an insightful morning visit to Kampung Admiralty, a development that redefines aging community living. Often heralded as Singapore’s first vertical kampung (village), this award-winning project by WOHA Architects combines public housing, healthcare, retail, and communal spaces within a single integrated complex. Kampung Admiraly (Image Credit: WOHA Architects) Vertical Integration for Social Sustainability Open plaza on ground floor Food court at first floor As we approached the development, its layered façade and abundant greenery stood out against the city’s urban backdrop. The vertical zoning strategy was both functional and symbolic. The ground and podium levels hosted a bustling food court, retail shops, and medical clinics. Above them, community gardens, elder-friendly amenities, and residential blocks extended into the sky, stitched together with accessible walkways and resting spots. What impressed me was the development’s ability to foster in...

On the second day of our trip, May 8, we embarked on an intensive exploration of Singapore’s urban core—from the cultural richness of Chinatown to the sleek modernity of Marina Bay Sands. Each step peeled back layers of urban design and planning strategies that reflected Singapore’s unique balance between heritage preservation and urban development. Chinatown: Culture and Compactness Our day began early at Chinatown. As we strolled through the shophouse-lined streets, I was immediately struck by the contrast between low-rise, historic buildings and the backdrop of soaring skyscrapers. The tight urban grain, pedestrian-scaled architecture, and vibrant ground-floor activity all reflected a kind of urbanism that is both dense and livable. The conservation of shophouses here wasn’t just about retaining facades—it was about preserving an entire lifestyle. We passed temples, clan associations, hawker centres, and residential units all in close proximity. This is mixed-use urbanism at its b...

After weeks of planning and anticipation, the day had finally arrived. On the morning of May 7, I boarded a flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Singapore’s renowned Changi Airport. Within an hour, I found myself walking through one of the most acclaimed transportation hubs in the world.  Arrival at Jewel Changi Airport Jewel Changi Airport Stepping into Jewel Changi Airport felt like stepping into a different world. The centerpiece of the complex, the Rain Vortex—the world’s tallest indoor waterfall—was surrounded by lush greenery, open atriums, and skylit interiors. The architectural design by Safdie Architects blends functionality with aesthetic experience, transforming an airport into a leisure destination. Everything was intentional: the flow of people, the signage, the rest areas, and the seamless integration of nature into built form. Even as I admired the scale and complexity of Jewel, I noted how calm and quiet it was despite the number of people. There...