Kallang River Singapur

Atelier Dreiseitl Asia was commissioned to redesign Bishan Park in Singapore and the Kallang River flowing through it. Atelier Dreiseitl called in Geitz & Partner as expert planners for the redesign of the watercourse.
In order to transform the existing river, which runs in a concrete trapezoidal profile, into a near-natural design, engineering-biological construction methods were to be used. Since there was little knowledge of these in tropical climates at the time, a test section was planned and constructed in advance. The construction methods, which had been tested mainly in northern Europe, had to be adapted to the local climatic and hydrological situation and a number of native plants had to be selected and tested, which had favourable characteristics for use in the construction methods (e.g. good ripening capacity and high regeneration capacity). For this purpose, a selection of construction methods was laid out in the outer and inner bends of a tributary to the Kallang River on different slopes of the test section. In numerous workshops and site inspections, the technologies applied were explained to the client and the contractors involved. This knowledge transfer was an integral part of the project, with the aim of creating a high level of acceptance and understanding for the function of the construction methods among all those involved.
The knowledge gained from the test section was integrated into the planning and tendering for the redesign of the Kallang River. Büro Geitz continued to advise Atelier Dreiseitl Asia during these phases.
The newly designed park on the Kallang River represents a green oasis in the middle of the city and provides habitats for numerous animal species. Where previously concrete dominated, today nature can be touched up close in combination with an attractive recreational infrastructure.