Set on a small plot at Dubai Expo 2020, Singapore's pavilion aims to make a big impact with hanging gardens, exotic flowers and edible plants.
The city-state unveiled its pavilion on Tuesday and, with its well-ventilated spaces surrounded by lush greenery, assured visitors it would be a safe place to visit during the pandemic.
Built on 1,550 square metres – among the smallest plots at the Expo – the structure is designed to integrate greenery and show that buildings do not have to displace nature.
It is a green oasis so if you are tired, you can come over, take a rest and take a walk
Larry Ng, commissioner general of the Singapore pavilion, said that despite Covid-19, he hoped people could meet at the world fair.
“We did not expect this but it is something we have to face," Mr Ng said.
"For me, I’m very optimistic. I hope Expo 2020 will be one important platform for people to celebrate meeting up physically. Although I really don’t know what will happen by then, Expo and many of the pavilions have started to engage with the world virtually."
The pavilion's planners are keen to show how nature can thrive in a limited space.
Visitors will walk into a garden on the lower level, which features a pond filled with plants that suck pollutants from the air.
A gently sloping walkway will then guide people past hanging gardens, planters that cover the ceiling, thick vines and edible plants that cover three nine-metre cones.
Orchids from Singapore and date palms from the desert are among the foliage, which will also display exotic flowers named after famous people.
More than 500 solar panels will cover the roof to meet all the pavilion's energy demands and act as a sunshade.
Trees planted along the pavilion border will cut off direct sunlight and offer protection from strong desert winds.
Dry mist fans placed throughout the building will help to lower the temperature, despite a lack of air-conditioning.
Mr Ng said he hoped the pavilion would spark discussion about smart urban solutions, climate change and sustainability in a post-Covid-19 world.
"Recently, because of the Delta variant, people are looking at the issue of ventilation," he said, referring to the highly contagious strain of the coronavirus first identified in India.
“Right in the beginning, the Singapore pavilion was designed to be fully ventilated and that is a big plus.
“It is a green oasis so if you are tired, you can come over, take a rest and take a walk. When you feel the heat, come over to our tropical forest.”
There are plans for robots to interact with visitors. Details will be released later.
Net-zero energy goals will be met during the six-month event, with solar power used to desalinate groundwater that will be used for irrigation and to create a mist effect.
An automated machine called the ecodigester will convert food waste into clean, odourless wastewater that can be recycled.
Sun pipes will capture sunshine from the roof and funnel it to spots in the interior that have low natural light.
“The world is facing some of the most challenging realities of its time and we are reminded that we can and should come together to find a way forward by building cities that sensitively adapt to tomorrow’s challenges,” Mr Ng said.
“Singapore may be small in terms of physical size but the impact we can make will increase multi-fold if we join other nations in efforts to address these pressing issues.”
Known as a garden city, Singapore has ambitions to extend its green cover by 2030 and the pavilion will echo the country’s plan to build nature into its architecture.
Wong Mun Summ, founder of Woha, the architectural firm that designed the pavilion, said the structure intended to make a big impression.
“The dense, multi-layered green space makes the most of its small size,” Mr Wong said.
“We all realise with the pandemic that being in an open space is better than in a closed environment. This is highly suited for the current situation.
“You will see rainforest plants and what is spectacular is the vertical greenery that Singapore is well known for.”
Mothers with prams and people in wheelchairs can reach the top floor via the walkway. This zone will host workshops, talks and movie screenings about life in the country.
Chefs from some of the city's most famous restaurants and street stalls will serve traditional coffee and snacks, including tapioca, green bean fritters, traditional chicken and beef satay.
Expo 2020 Dubai is ready to welcome visitors from October 1 to March 31.
Country pavilions – in pictures
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Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Results
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The biog
Siblings: five brothers and one sister
Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota
Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym
Favourite place: UAE
Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera
What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books
Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff
By Sean Penn
Simon & Schuster
Day 3, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage, the Sri Lanka pace bowler, has had to play a lot of cricket to earn a shot at the top level. The 29-year-old debutant first played a first-class game 11 years ago. His first Test wicket was one to savour, bowling Pakistan opener Shan Masood through the gate. It set the rot in motion for Pakistan’s batting.
Stat of the day – 73 Haris Sohail took 73 balls to hit a boundary. Which is a peculiar quirk, given the aggressive intent he showed from the off. Pakistan’s batsmen were implored to attack Rangana Herath after their implosion against his left-arm spin in Abu Dhabi. Haris did his best to oblige, smacking the second ball he faced for a huge straight six.
The verdict One year ago, when Pakistan played their first day-night Test at this ground, they held a 222-run lead over West Indies on first innings. The away side still pushed their hosts relatively close on the final night. With the opposite almost exactly the case this time around, Pakistan still have to hope they can salvage a win from somewhere.
The five types of long-term residential visas
Obed Suhail of ServiceMarket, an online home services marketplace, outlines the five types of long-term residential visas:
Investors:
A 10-year residency visa can be obtained by investors who invest Dh10 million, out of which 60 per cent should not be in real estate. It can be a public investment through a deposit or in a business. Those who invest Dh5 million or more in property are eligible for a five-year residency visa. The invested amount should be completely owned by the investors, not loaned, and retained for at least three years.
Entrepreneurs:
A five-year multiple entry visa is available to entrepreneurs with a previous project worth Dh0.5m or those with the approval of an accredited business incubator in the UAE.
Specialists
Expats with specialised talents, including doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, and creative individuals working in the field of culture and art are eligible for a 10-year visa, given that they have a valid employment contract in one of these fields in the country.
Outstanding students:
A five-year visa will be granted to outstanding students who have a grade of 95 per cent or higher in a secondary school, or those who graduate with a GPA of 3.75 from a university.
Retirees:
Expats who are at least 55 years old can obtain a five-year retirement visa if they invest Dh2m in property, have savings of Dh1m or more, or have a monthly income of at least Dh20,000.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
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