Session Title:
Nature’s Role in Urban Well-being: The Impact of Green Spaces in a Tropical City-State
Session Date:
14.10.25
Session Time:
17.00h SGT (Singapore) / 11.00h CET (Central European Time)
Format:
Online
Language:
Translated captions
Sociodemographic Focus:
General population living in densely populated tropical cities
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This session examines how exposure to nature in densely populated tropical cities like Singapore impact residents’ health and well-being. Research suggests that regular engagement with urban nature can boost both physical and mental health, foster social cohesion and improve quality of life; access to green spaces encourages more active lifestyles and deeper community connections. However, rapid urbanization threatens to limit daily contact with nature, leading to the “extinction of experience” – a gradual disconnect from the natural world. Addressing this requires systematic urban planning that integrates nature into the fabric of city life. This includes strategies such as integrating parks, rooftop gardens, and green corridors, and to foster nature connectedness across diverse communities. By doing so, tropical city-states can help residents maintain a meaningful relationship with nature while reaping the well-being benefits it provides.
Co-organized by the National Parks Board and researchers from the National University of Singapore, this event will showcase how nature-based interventions such as urban green spaces, urban farming and therapeutic landscapes, are implemented across Singapore. Presentations will share how they vary in design and impact, and how they can be tailored to meet the specific needs of different communities.
Prof Tan Puay Yok
Department of Architecture, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore and Executive Director/ National Parks and Gardens, National Parks Board, Singapore
https://cde.nus.edu.sg/arch/staffs/tan-puay-yok-dr/
Prof John Wong Chee Meng
Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
Topic: Nature Play for Children with Additional Needs
Ms Jocelin Lam
Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore
Topic: Key Lessons from Urban Care Farming for Older Adults – Insights from an Interventional Study
Prof Cynthia Chen
Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore
Topic: Key Lessons from Urban Care Farming for Older Adults – Insights from an Interventional Study
Dr. Rachel R. Y. Oh
National University of Singapore / iDiv, Germany
Topic: Nature in City: Designing Tropical Urban Spaces for Health and Connection
Dr. Angelia Sia
National Parks Board, Singapore
Topic: Long Term Social Behaviour Impact of City in Nature