Learning "Sustainable Urban Development" from Singapore's Urban Planning and Environmental Design (Part 2)

• Learning Urban Development for the Sustainable Era from Singapore's Urban Development and Environmental Design (Part 1)

This series features members of Dentsu Inc.'s Sustainability Consulting Office, which supports corporate sustainable business creation, interviewing opinion leaders in the field. In the second installment, landscape architect Kenya Endo, who lectures at the National University of Singapore, and Ryusuke Nanki from the Sustainability Consulting Office engage in a discussion. In Part 1, Mr. Endo introduced Singapore's approach to creating communities in harmony with nature. In Part 2, we ask Mr. Endo, who has been involved in various environmental projects in Singapore, about key points for future community development and sustainable corporate initiatives.

Creating urban appeal requires space for people to participate

Nanki: As a landscape architect involved in sustainable urban development, what perspectives do you prioritize when designing and proposing projects?

Endo: While diverse specialists are involved in urban development, designers often tend to focus on drawings and remain within the perspective of those creating form and systems. Creating spaces like parks or waterfronts is ultimately a means to an end. What matters is what benefits and sense of fulfillment residents can gain from those spaces. Therefore, in planning, I always prioritize the perspective of imagining myself as a user or resident and considering what appeal I would find in that space. I feel that the richness of these everyday experiences is a crucial factor in attracting people, and ultimately, I believe it contributes to a city's international competitiveness. Consider this: if you could live in any city in Japan or anywhere in the world, where would you choose? Thinking about what criteria would guide that decision makes it clear.

Nanki: For cities like Tokyo in Japan to sustainably thrive, attracting people through charm is essential, right?

Endo: I believe the role of providing that charm is played by the 'spaces in between' within the city – outdoor open spaces and public spaces. Places that don't have a clearly defined function, or that change over time, are actually very important. Having such 'open' spaces within the city allows people to engage with them in their own way, and they have the potential to generate diverse values and richness that even the designers didn't intend. Speaking of which, I recently read an article about young people leaving Shibuya and moving to Shin-Okubo. The reason might be that spaces where anyone can freely engage are more appealing than places perfectly planned by experts. I feel new cultures sprout precisely in such places.

Nagi: Ensuring room for uncertainty is indeed crucial in urban planning. In that sense, nature serves as a margin for cities that prioritize rationality and efficiency. I fully understand the earlier point that incorporating nature enhances a city's appeal. By the way, citizen-participatory approaches are increasingly common in urban planning and corporate communications these days. What is the situation with citizen-participatory urban planning in Singapore?

Endo: Frankly, I believe citizen-participatory initiatives in Singapore are still very immature. Because the government exercises strong leadership, even projects labeled as participatory often feel prearranged. However, I expect know-how will gradually accumulate, and the methods of collaboration between the administration and citizens will become increasingly refined. In any case, my assessment is that Japan is more advanced in this regard. In Japan, strong community bonds still remain, and I get the impression that there are many enthusiastic citizens actively involved in town development, such as through neighborhood watch and mutual aid systems.

A disaster prevention perspective is indispensable in sustainable community development.

Nanki: Mr. Endo doesn't just create green spaces or parks; he considers all possible benefits—for the people living there, of course, but also for aquatic life and even the country's branding. Landscape architects who work with such an approach are rare, aren't they?

Endo: I wasn't originally that interested in creating spaces (laughs). I'm actually more passionate about creating systems. I often hear that Japan excels at highly detailed hardware and software development, but struggles with envisioning the overarching vision. In that sense, I believe my approach garners interest precisely because it offers unique strengths: a perspective that views large and small elements in parallel, a mindset that considers both everyday life and disaster scenarios holistically. This, coupled with the current times, likely explains the appeal.

Nanki: Landscape architects are also expected to serve as advisors and facilitators for broader urban development, aren't they?

Endo: Personally, I've recently shifted my focus. Rather than just being a landscape specialist, I want to engage in urban planning as a resilience expert. I aim to approach future urban development by weaving together three perspectives: "green" (plants and ecological environments), "water" (related to rainwater, drainage, and waterfronts), and "disaster prevention." Disaster prevention is especially important to me. My practical experience in Singapore also taught me to always prioritize disaster mitigation perspectives in park and waterfront planning—like how much water needs to be stored to reduce flooding downstream. Disaster-resilient urban development is essential from a sustainability standpoint too.

Nanki: At Dentsu Inc., we frequently receive inquiries regarding the development of public facilities like stations and parks. We're seeing a growing demand for transforming facilities that traditionally prioritized public benefit into spaces that generate benefits for more people by incorporating private-sector expertise and evolving their business models. I believe there may be opportunities to collaborate with someone like Endo-san, who understands business thinking while ensuring public benefit, in such fields.

Endo: Thank you. The work I've been involved with so far has primarily been led by hardware specialists like developers, architects, and engineers. However, to create something that attracts people and influences lifestyles and culture, I believe we need the cooperation of those skilled in the softer aspects, including communication with residents. If companies like Dentsu Inc. take on that role, I think it could greatly expand the potential for future town development.

Sustainable initiatives must become part of daily habits and culture

Nanki: In the Sustainability Consulting Office I'm currently part of, we support various companies in their sustainable management. Finally, could you offer any advice for such companies?

Endo: Naturally, sustainable initiatives only hold meaning if they are sustained long-term. For that, it's vital that those involved internalize the initiative as their own and make it habitual. The ideal state is when sustainable practices are seamlessly integrated into everyday lifestyles and routines. For example, instead of establishing special tsunami evacuation shelters, the idea is to designate shrines and temples – places where people naturally gather daily – as shelters. Many people might not realize it, but knowledge and habits related to disaster prevention have become a unique part of Japanese culture over many years. Living overseas really makes you appreciate that. If sustainable initiatives could become that kind of commonplace thing, part of the culture, wouldn't they last for decades or even centuries?

Nagi: That's an important perspective. However, creating culture is difficult for government alone. In that regard, I believe private companies have a significant role to play. No matter how good an initiative is, it won't last long if driven solely by a sense of obligation. As the Sustainability Consulting Office, I hope we can focus our efforts on supporting the creation of a society where companies and individuals can more proactively and enjoyably sustain their sustainable initiatives.

For sustainable community development, it's crucial not to lose sight of the residents' perspective and to actively involve people. Endo also states that to sustain these efforts, it's vital to make them part of daily life and integrate them into the culture. Isn't this kind of approach what ultimately leads to the realization of a sustainable society?