Following an international architecture competition, Japanese firm Nikken Sekkei will redevelop a long stretch of railway line that spans the breadth of Singapore into a High Line-style green corridor open to pedestrians and cyclists.
Thanks to the success of New York City's High Line, these kind of urban renewal projects are very much in vogue at the moment, as seen with similar projects in Chicago, Sydney, and elsewhere.
Nikken Sekkei's winning proposal, dubbed Lines of Life, is the largest yet, and also the first to cross an entire country (albeit a very small one). To put it into perspective, NYC's High Line measures 2.33 km (1.45 mi), while the Lines of Life project will measure 24 km (14.9 mi) in length.
The initial masterplan calls for footpaths, bicycle paths, and green spaces. Some 21 platforms will be installed along the corridor's length, providing amenities like toilets, bicycle rental facilities, resting points, and showers. The corridor will also feature 122 access points, connecting it to major roads and attractions.
Lines for Life will promote outdoor activities, including camping and an eco-themed educational program. A lookout tower will be installed to offer visitors a choice panoramic view of Singapore's Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. A plaza will also be constructed for events like outdoor movie screening and mass-exercises. Historic buildings like the Tanjong Pagar railway station will be preserved.
Nikken Sekkei now plans to work on refining its design and carry out a feasibility study of the first 4 km (2.45 mi) stretch of the corridor. The firm will work alongside local companies Tierra Design and Arup Singapore.
Source: Nikken Sekkei via Arch Daily