Singapore - Urban Design 3 - Chinatown

I always like to explore the indigenous bits of cities I visit. Maps of Singapore for tourists and from hotels, emphasise the location of Chinatown, Little India, and even a bit of Arabia with souks and the like. Parts of it can be a bit touristy, but the markets are real enough, and it's all lively and thriving. These destinations are very attractive with tourists and visitors, and are a big part of keeping this multicultural place alive and kicking. Well - that's how it seemed to me as an outsider...

And I liked seeing the bikes and the three-wheelers used to move goods. Singpapore does have it's share of big motorways and road congestion charge systems. At the conference I heard from a member of the Transport Council how they want to get the peak am mode share of public transport up to 70% from 63%...

Here, mum buys the kids some Chinese sweets and ice-creams from the local sweet shop. Plenty of other bits and pieces to buy too.

Great places to sit - with the climatic conditions well provided for. Heat of the sun and torrential downpours alternate. Lot of style.

I liked the chinese laundry effect. Boy - a lot of people live out this way. This is Chinatown.

A very people-oriented public space. No cars here - even though this is a very car-oriented city. Cars have their place - but there are also rigorously protected areas for people. Auckland could learn a lot about vehicular delineation from Singapore.