The world is currently in a race to stop or mitigate the effects of climate change. Many have taken drastic actions. In the historic Paris Agreement of 2015, 196 parties vowed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. An eco-town in Singapore is also a great help in reducing the country’s greenhouse emissions. It is a sustainable and safe neighbourhood for everyone.
Here are the top characteristics of an eco-town in Singapore:
- PEDESTRIAN-FRIENDLY SIDEWALKS
Fuel-powered vehicles are one of the sources of carbon emissions. Not only does it hurt the environment but also damages people’s health. An eco-town such as the Tengah HDB encourages safe and secure pedestrian sidewalks. Instead of riding smoke-emitting vehicles, people can walk to their destinations safely.
Some eco-towns also have cyclist-friendly roads to encourage people to use a bike instead of riding vehicles. Walking and cycling are eco-friendly, sustainable, and healthy!
- RENEWABLE ENERGY
Instead of relying on electricity that comes from burning fossil fuels, an eco-town invests in renewable energy. For example, a Tengah HDB new town may install machines that turn solar, wind, and hydro energy into electricity that will power up the entire neighbourhood. These towns have solar and wind farms to aid the seamless transition to cleaner energy in green cities.
- ECO-FRIENDLY INFRASTRUCTURES
Upon construction, a Tengah HDB uses sustainable materials to erect the buildings. Moreover, the design and architecture must be durable and sustainable to increase the longevity of the building.
For instance, the design of the building encourages the collection of rainwater or significantly improves the ventilation of the building without using an HVAC system by utilising the windows, ceiling, and insulation.
In the case of deconstruction, the materials should be eligible for recycling and upcycling.
- SUSTAINABLE FOOD SOURCE
More and more green cities are resorting to urban farming. In urban farming, eco-towns have designated gardens and greenhouses where people can plant vegetables and herbs and harvest them for personal consumption.
- WASTE MANAGEMENT CAMPAIGNS
Besides implementing waste segregation, an eco-town in Singapore encourages recycling by building recycling facilities accessible to the people and ramping up proactive waste reduction campaigns in the neighbourhood.
These are the top qualities you should look for in sustainable and eco-friendly homes. Have you found the right eco-town for you?
myTengah provides sustainable and eco-friendly Tengah HDB where you and your family can grow and live safely. Visit myTengah for more information about eco-towns.
