Singapore to become ‘city in a garden’ with new green building and pollution reduction plans

According to the Biomimicry Institute, the operation of buildings makes up 40 per cent of all energy used by humanity. Now more than ever, cities are in frantic need of structures that not only are environmentally friendly, but also defend people and ecosystems from pollution.

Beijing is an extreme case of what damages high levels of pollution can cause to a city. Beijing's pollution has shaped an environment that is almost uninhabitable for people.

This news should spring city planners, engineers, scientists and big businesses into action. Fortunately, green building is on the rise as businesses look to improve their triple bottom line.

Buildings that fight pollution are not a myth. Mexico City is infamous for its air pollution; having nearly 5 million cars on the road have a façade built over a section of Manuel Gea González Hospital. The experimental building effectively breaks down smog into carbon dioxide and water.

The building is covered in tiles called Prosolve370e covered with superfine titanium dioxide which help to capture omni-directional light. The technology molecular and design can defuse smog created by about 1,000 cars each day.

Perhaps more cities will fund architecture that actively defends against toxic air. More green building projects, although not smog-fighting powerhouses, are popping up in other cities with heavy pollution.

Singapore, leading the way, has set an ambitious goal to become “a city in a garden.” It already has created hundreds of walkways and paths that bridge together the city’s surrounding parks.

In a recent report, 76 per cent of professionals in the building profession said that green building lowers operating costs. An additional 38 per cent reported higher building values; another 38 per cent noted better quality assurance and 36 per cent described future-proofing assets as benefits.