The Housing & Development Board (HDB) of Singapore recently completed a pilot of its Greenprint program in the Yuhua neighborhood. Teck Ghee is set to become Singapore’s second “green” neighborhood through the program.
Background about Yuhua
“This project was first initiated in 2012, aiming to introduce sustainable, energy-efficient, water and waste management features throughout the Yuhua estate. Yuhua HDB residents will be the first in Singapore to participate in this kind of sustainable living environment. Grace Fu,Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Adviser to Yuhua GROs, attended the completion ceremony on 28 November.
Sustainable Features of the Yuhua neighborhood
The HDB Greenprint @ Yuhua affects 38 HDB blocks (209-240), including 3,200 households in total. The following green features have been introduced to the Yuhua neighbourhood:
- Energy & Water Conservation: Solar panels, Rainwater Harvesting System
- Waste Management: Pneumatic Waste Conveyance System (PWCS)
- Greenery Enhancement: Green roofs, Vertical Greenery
- Eco – living: Green Commuting, Community Outreach Programmes
The Pneumatic Waste Conveyance System (PWCS) allows for more efficient and hygenic waste removal throughout the estate. Using high speed air suction, the PWCS transfers waste through an underground pipe network. This waste will make its way to its end destination, the Centralised Bin Centre. With the PWCS, waste collection is automated, reducing the chance of spillage and creating a more efficient process for collectors.
Green roofs and vertical greenery have been installed throughout the estate. This has reduced block surface temperatures by up to 15 degrees, which makes the setting cooler and comfortable for all.”
Teck Ghee
“Ang Mo Kio's Teck Ghee estate is set to undergo a $38.3 million revamp to transform it into Singapore's second ‘green’ neighbourhood.
More than 5,800 households there will see their estate installed with environmentally friendly features, the Housing Board (HDB) revealed yesterday.
It comes under the HDB's Greenprint programme, which aims to fit existing public housing estates with eco-friendly technology and follows a pilot project in Jurong's Yuhua estate.
From now until 2018, works will be carried out to equip 40 blocks in Teck Ghee – Blocks 401 to 421 and 456 to 476 – with facilities such as an automated waste collection system, smart lighting, rooftop solar panels and more greenery.
An additional 1.4km of pedestrian and cycling paths will be added to the neighbourhood while sensor technology will also be installed at the blocks, which are nearing 40 years old. Energy-saving lighting in common areas will be fitted with sensors that dim the bulbs when nobody is around.
Minister of State for Health and Sengkang West MP Lam Pin Min said yesterday that these efforts will help residents use resources more efficiently and added that features like enhanced cycling and pedestrian paths will help families to ‘spend more quality time strolling or cycling together, for a healthier lifestyle.’
Secondary school teacher and father of two Thetchnamuthi Dharmalingam, 59, who has lived in Teck Ghee for 15 years, said: ‘My boys cycle often so it's good to have more paths for them. It's safer too. I feel proud that my old estate is getting a makeover.’
Financial secretary Darice Tay, 61, who has called Teck Ghee home since 1979, is looking forward to having more greenery and energy-saving lights. She said: ‘It will be a better-looking estate. It's high time for a change.’”
Sources
Singapore Housing Development Board. Yuhua Residents First to Benefit from Sustainable Features with Completion of HDB Greenprint. 27 Nov 2015
The Straight Times. Teck Ghee estate to get $38m 'green' makeover. 5 July 2015