ABSTRACT

Singapore has achieved impressive economic growth over the last half-century. This chapter provides an overview of the major sustainability challenges Singapore has experienced and the policies that have been adopted to address them, particularly in the areas of land use, transportation, waste management, water, and energy. It argues that Singapore has been successful in addressing these challenges owing to sound long-term vision and planning as well as flexibility in the implementation of the policies to tackle them. The chapter provides some discussion on policy options, challenges, and opportunities for making Singapore more sustainable and liveable. Leaders of Singapore have recognised land scarcity as one of Singapore's most serious challenges since its independence. Therefore, efficient land use with sound planning has been among the most important policy objectives to enable sustainable growth in Singapore.