Singapore is one of the greenest cities in the world. After six decades of greening efforts, we now have a thriving network of green spaces where nature is restored into our urban environment and brought closer to our everyday lives.
Today, we live in an increasingly liveable, sustainable, and climate-resilient Singapore. As part of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, we will continue to build upon our greening efforts and transform Singapore into a City in Nature.
Our greening journey since the 1960s:
5 key strategies for a City in Nature by 2030
Our four nature reserves safeguard Singapore's ecosystems. They are primary providers of ecosystem services, helping to clean the air and water, and are home to native flora and fauna. Here, you may even spot rare and endangered species if you're lucky!
To buffer these nature reserves from the impact of urbanisation and create complementary habitats, nature parks were formed around them. They also offer us alternative spaces for recreational activities and nature adventures to give our well-being a revitalising boost.
How can we ensure that nature continues to thrive alongside us? We aim to grow our Nature Park Networks with 200 more hectares of new nature parks by 2030.
Our Nature Park Networks
To bring nature even closer to everyone, we are intensifying nature in our new and existing gardens as well as parks. This will allow us to enjoy immersive experiences in nature and its associated benefits on health and well-being, without venturing too far from home.
By 2026, we will enjoy more than 300 hectares of such gardens and parks, which will be naturalised in various ways:
More nature-based solutions
At Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and Jurong Lake Gardens, we have transformed concrete canals into naturalised rivers. We have also created reservoirs to serve as naturalised lakes that catch and retain rainwater. This supports rich biodiversity and protects nearby homes as well as amenities from the risk of flooding brought about by climate change.
As we tackle our changing climate, we will restore mangroves in parks and along Singapore’s coastlines, to safeguard our coastal areas from storm surges and rising sea levels.
More therapeutic gardens and nature playgardens
Therapeutic gardens are designed to provide various health benefits for young and old, relieving mental fatigue and improving emotional well-being. By 2030, 30 therapeutic gardens will be built across Singapore to offer restorative spaces for people with conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and dementia.
More nature playgardens will also be created for children. These play areas are built with natural materials to help our little ones connect with nature – the fun, vibrant way.
More native plant and animal species conservation
With our ongoing habitat restoration and species recovery efforts, we can now enjoy the sights of once-rare species. These include the Singapore Kopsia and Tiger Orchid, as well as birds and butterflies like the Oriental Pied Hornbill and Common Birdwing, in gardens, parks, and streetscapes around the city.
By 2030, species recovery plans will be carried out for 100 plant and 60 animal species. What’s more, we will see 80 hectares of restored forest, marine, and coastal habitats across Singapore, along with restored ecological habitats in at least 50% of NParks’ gardens and parks.
Bringing nature closer to us helps cool our surroundings, improve air quality, and provide the therapeutic effects of a greener living environment. With this in mind, we aim to have 200 hectares of skyrise greenery island-wide by 2030.
Our industrial estates have also been enhanced with trees over the years and will continue to see more intensified greenery taking root, with a goal to plant at least 170,000 more trees in industrial areas by 2030.
Discover the benefits of these trees that are an integral part of our City in Nature.
We will continue to build a network of ecological corridors that links nature reserves and parks to heartland gardens and parks. This helps create an inter-connected eco hub – bringing plants, wildlife, and people together.
We also aim to make every road in Singapore a Nature Way. By 2030, we will have 300 km of Nature Ways and 500 km of park connectors so that every household in Singapore will be within a 10-minute walk from a park.
Nurturing stronger ties with nature
Community animals play a vital role as our companions, and wildlife enrich the biodiversity of our urban ecosystem. The Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) works closely with partners to strengthen capacities and enhance competencies in animal health, welfare, and management.
As our well-being and health are inter-connected with that of animals in our community, protecting them safeguards public health.
Let's grow our City in Nature together
Join our community programmes and become a steward of nature today. Find out how you can contribute to Singapore's greening efforts and transform our island into a City in Nature.
