As part of JTC's sustainable effort in CleanTech Park (CTP), the central Green Core is created as its green lung. Located on a 50-hectare greenfield site next to Nanyang Technological University at Nanyang Ave, CTP is developed as Singapore's first eco-business park and positioned as a choice location for corporations who embrace environmental sustainability as part of their corporate social responsibility and as a means to differentiating their business.
Nature preservation and biodiversity enhancement underlie the holistic planning approach for the Green Core. Extending beyond the central Green Core are three wildlife corridors, or green fingers, that intersperse with development parcels in CTP. This allows for building clusters to form pockets within the larger park such that every building would have a dual frontage with an “urban front” on one side, and a natural lush “green front” on the other. The intention is to bring the tropical rainforest to the businesses, giving them the opportunity to work in close proximity to nature, and enjoy benefits like fresh air, lower ambient temperatures, shading, and tranquil sights.
In addition, overall 'green' and blue' networks are incorporated into the masterplan, which includes the preservation of native species of flora and the recreation of a freshwater swamp environment that is part of a comprehensive storm water management system to take care of the park's drainage whilst doubling up to clean and recycle water on-site. The green lung is also designated to preserve the rich biodiversity of rare fauna such as the native Sunda Pangolin, and other native species such as the Harlequin butterflies through the establishment of a butterfly garden. The central Green Core and three wildlife corridors have the most number of trees conserved within CTP.
FRESHWATER WETLAND FOREST
A Biodiversity Impact Assessment (BIA) conducted to investigate topographic, geological, hydrological, botanical and zoological condition of the site uncovered the potential for the development of a freshwater wetland forest in the lower and swampy grounds of the site.
The freshwater wetland forest eco-habitat is one of the rarest in tropical Asia, and holds conservational and educational value to Singapore and the Southeast Asia region. By developing the swampy areas of the site into a thriving freshwater swamp forest, it not only helps to conserve the existing flora and fauna, but also allows ecological researchers to observe, understand and document this rare eco-habitat.
The freshwater swamp environment will be recreated based on existing water bodies found within the site and only species that complement the biodiversity will be introduced. Other eco-habitats, such as woodlands, grassland, and freshwater swamps identified within CTP will also be retained and enhanced.
HYDROLOGY
The natural undulating topography of the site, particularly within the Green Core and wildlife corridors, will be retained as much as possible as it enables the channeling and retention of stormwater in the low-lying areas for storage and reuse. In the hydrology plan for sustainable stormwater management within CTP, a network of new streams, bioswales and retention ponds will be developed to support the existing hydrological flow of the site, and to help clean the rainwater run-off at various stages.
In line with the philosophy behind the Public Utilities Board's (PUB) Active, Beautiful & Clean (ABC) Waters Programme, bioswales are designed to be aesthetically and ecologically different along each of the three green fingers as they channel and purify rainwater from the roadside drains into the Green Core. Various types of pathways are provided to either cross the bioswales—detention walls and boardwalks, or to run alongside—stepping stones and gravel paths, allowing the CTP community and park visitors to enjoy the environment visually as well as getting up close to the flora and fauna.
Cleansing biotopes for the purification of water are also designed to be planted with flowering plants that would attract insects, i.e., butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies, thus creating a pleasant park environment for users whilst enhancing the diversity of fauna. Filtrated water from the cleansing biotopes will be collected for use in toilet flushing and irrigation for the green roof of the public toilet. Assuming an average visitorship of 1,000 per week, this would translate into potable water savings of 25 percent or 19,500 liters per month. This comprehensive stormwater management system design, as an integral part of the CTP Green Core, was amongst the first projects in Singapore to be awarded the ABC Waters certification by PUB in July 2010.
Chinese Garden and on the existing site will be placed along the swales. Instead of timber, cellulose fiber cement planks will be used for boardwalks and decks for greater durability and easy maintenance.
The Green Core was the first development in Singapore to achieve the BCA-NParks Green Mark Platinum award in the New Parks category in May 2011.
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