Uploaded on 2015-11-16 by purrinsky

![Lim Chu Kang Mangroves ][1] Photo by budak, taken from Flickr. ![Singapore CBD ][2] Photo by green_kermit, taken from Flickr **2. Main effects of UHI in Singapore** According to a research carried out by Dr Wong Nyuk Hien of NUS on UHI in Singapore in 2009, the average midnight temperature in the CBD in Singapore is 28.5°C while the average midnight temperature in Lim Chu Kang, a less densely built area in Singapore is 24°C. As Singapore is a tropical country, it is both humid and hot, with mean daily temperatures hovering around 30-32°C. This has led to increased air-condition usage and in turn higher energy consumption and carbon emission in Singapore, resulting in a vicious cycle. **3. Which are measures you would propose?** It is unrealistic and unlikely to propose the dismantling of the buildings in Singapore's CBD. I would thus propose modifying existing buildings to manage and mitigate the effects of UHI via climate sensitive design. This would include growing more vegetation both along the sidewalks and also on buildings (rooftops etc.) and choosing more reflective materials for buildings to reduce indoor temperature. With respect to increasing greenery in urban areas in Singapore, a good way to implement this strategy would be to encourage building owners of the CBD to initiate roof-garden/rooftop farms for their local community. This would not only help reduce UHI but also encourage community-bonding, thus increasing livability in terms of social interaction as well. **3. Is UHI effect concerning policy effect in your area?** To some extent, yes. The National Climate Change Strategy has addressed the heat stress caused by UHI in Singapore and has described measures to lower ambient temperature in Singapore by introducing more greenery in the city as well as modifying existing buildings. To that end, the government has tasked the Urban Redevelopment Authority and National Parks Board to work together to create more open green spaces and plant more vegetation along and around urban developments. Lowering energy usage is also a key issue in the National Climate Change Strategy. Measures affecting all levels of stakeholders (from corporations, construction companies to the populace) have been put in place. Examples include new energy efficiency standards for buildings, a government fund for local corporations to upgrade to more energy efficient infrastructure and campaigns to promote energy-saving tactics among the people. These measures seem to be yielding results, new buildings are all designed with green architecture in mind (e.g. Marina Bay Sands hotel, Parkroyal hotel on Pickering etc.) and rooftop gardens/ green walls are becoming a norm in buildings around the CBD. However aside from these highly visible results, there is yet any research or conclusive data to demonstrate the efficacy of these policies, although it is estimated that these measures would help lower the temperature in the CBD by 4°C. [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14476729651994752.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14476730742555491.jpg