Annex B

CHALLENGE FOR THE URBAN AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT 2016

The Challenge for the Urban and Built Environment (CUBE) is an annual workshop and competition for junior college and polytechnic students. It enables participants to delve into the intricacies of planning and urban design for Singapore and gain first-hand experience as urban planners. Organised by the URA since 2009, the workshop aims to inspire a future generation of architects and urban planners.

Last year’s CUBE student workshop and competition was held at the URA Centre from 21 to 25 November 2016. Over 147 keen students from 16 junior colleges and polytechnics were tasked to develop the Buona Vista node as a vibrant business and lifestyle gateway with dynamic community spaces. The objectives included introducing shared amenities, reinforcing the identity of the Rail Corridor as a green ecological corridor, creating well-designed public spaces and integrating commercial, institutional and residential development, as well as recreational facilities.

Participants are guided throughout the workshop by young facilitators from local tertiary institutions and mentors from the professional industry. Facilitated by our partner Jurong Town Corporation, the participants identified issues and opportunities for improvement through on-site interviews and observations. Guest lecturers from our university partners, the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), introduced the students to concepts of biodiversity urban planning and architecture, as well as sustainable planning. These budding urban planners worked diligently to conceptualise, refine and present their proposed vision statements, master plans and site models to critique panels that comprised representatives from JTC, NUS, SUTD, URA and the professional industry.

For more information on CUBE, please visit https://www.facebook.com/CUBEStudentWorkshop .

CUBE 2016 Exhibition

Date: 14 March to 7 April 2017

Venue: The URA Centre Atrium 45 Maxwell Road, Singapore 069118 Admission is free

Time: Mondays to Fridays, 8.30am to 7pm Saturdays, 8.30am to 5pm Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays

Top Three Winning Teams (in alphabetical order)

FUNOPOLIS: Interconnection amongst all through nature By

Preservation or development? Funopolis embraces both, while simultaneously uniting the differences in time and lifestyles. Rich in natural elements, the site is planned in a way such that its natural assets remain intact. It is also imperative to preserve its rich history, hence the new urban design of the site embraces the past, linking the traditional and modern architecture of the site.

Connectivity plays a vital role in the community; Funopolis brings the young, the aged and everyone else in between together. Facilities and activities at Funopolis promote interaction between people, and encourages people to tap into nature for respite and inspiration. Funopolis reminisces the past, celebrates the present and inspires the future, all in one place.

Arch of Rainforest: A Green Sanctuary in the Concrete Jungle By River Valley High School

To address the need for common ground between neighbouring skyscrapers and residential areas, our project bridges the gap between different communities by infusing bridges, nature and cultural elements into the node.

Reimagining the Past

Our project envisions a modernised kampong lifestyle as its identity to increase community cohesiveness. Multi-storey farming and cooling attap chalets emphasise the kampong vibe. Scattered communal farms provide bonding opportunities while allowing people to be closer to nature.

Reintegrating Nature

To reflect Singapore’s “Garden City” reputation, green spaces are seamlessly blended into the urban landscape. Beyond preserving the site’s natural grassland, the site is planned with a rainforest theme. Greenery-laden bridges and business buildings that mimic forestry improve interconnectivity and integrate nature into work and life. The emphasis on nature reduces the urban heat island effect and also provides respite from our hectic lifestyles. Nature immersion encourages healthy living by providing a tranquil environment for all ages to relax.

Reintroducing Culture

The Rail Corridor is redesigned as an art district to rejuvenate the region, and serves a therapeutic purpose at the same time. Increased accessibility changes public perception towards art, reinforcing the idea that art is for everyone. The Rail Corridor transforms into a food district at night, adopting the time-sharing concept.

VivaVista: All Lives Matter By St. Andrew’s Junior College

We designed VivaVista to be a unique place in the heart of our city to celebrate all lives through emphasising on the connection of humans with nature.

Viva means “Place of Life” in Latin while Vista means “good sight” in Italian. This theme will be expressed throughout our site via our three focus areas: Pet-friendliness, communal space and eco-friendliness. Capitalising on the Rail Corridor that has become a favourite trail for nature-lovers across Singapore to enjoy, VivaVista will become a green node where they can congregate and interact.

Besides the green, pet-friendly walk trail that runs through our site and connects all its points of interest to the Rail Corridor, residential and business buildings will be connected by an elevated walkway coupled with special paths for pets. To promote eco-friendliness, pets’ waste will be collected and turned into fertilizers for the green areas that spread across our site.

We hope to create a fun environment among our abundant green spaces for pet owners, nature lovers or just anyone seeking relaxation and interaction alike to unwind, share their love for nature and connect in the midst of Singapore’s busy, cosmopolitan life.

Special Mentions • • • Singapore Polytechnic •

Commendations • Anglo-Chinese Junior College • Anderson Junior College • • • Jurong Junior College • • • • Yishun Junior College