KINGSTON - With a population of 5.4 million people, a land area of 716 sq km(smaller than Region 4) and no known natural resources, Singapore when it gained its independence from Great Britain in 1963 and from Malaysia in 1965, displayed all the propensities of a failed state.
However, through strong visionary leadership, good governance and a highly skilled and dedicated labour force, Singapore has been transformed into the “envy of the world,” in less than 50 years.
For a country whose only resource is its people, Singapore’s leveraging of its human capital to become a model of sustainable development is truly amazing. Guyana can learn a lot from the Singaporean experiences. And Singapore is willing to share.
Every year, Singapore reaches out to developing nations by providing hundreds of fellowship awards to public officials at mid to senior level management through the Singapore Cooperation Program (SCP). Their goal is to be a good global citizen by sharing all their experiences and challenges, technologies and know-how to inspire the current and future leaders of the developing world and bring about change. To date more than 90,000 public officials from more than 100 countries including Guyana have benefitted from the SCP.
From Concept Plan to Development Plan
Singapore has a world renowned sustainable transport system. The planning process began about 50 years ago with a Concept Plan – a strategic and long term plan for the utilization of its very limited land resource in a way that future generations could benefit. The Concept Plan was further developed into a more detailed 30 year Master Plan which is revised every 5 years to cater for changes that previous versions of the development plan could not foresee.
A Land Transport Master Plan was developed to support the National Land Use Master Plan as Singapore regards transport as a critical pillar for economic development. The vision of the land transport master plan was simple - A people-centered land transport system and the mission - connecting people and place, enhancing travel experience.
Today 64% of all peak hour journeys in Singapore are made on public transport and the future goal is for this number to increase to 75% by 2030.
Singapore’s Public Transport System
The efficiency and reliability of Singapore’s public transport system was not a process of natural evolution. Rather, the Land Transport Authority of the Ministry of Transport has spread headed the development process complemented by a host of transport policies geared at discouraging personal vehicle ownership so as to maximize the patronage of public transport.
The Authority places emphasis on communicating policies and receiving feedback as part of the review process to keep the people centered vision alive. Singapore’s urban transport model has been so effective that cities like London and Stockholm, and in Estonia and South Korea have adapted some aspects.
What Guyana can learn from Singapore?
Since Georgetown, like many developing cities around the world, is plagued by traffic congestion and inadequate transport infrastructure, the lessons learnt from Singapore could help Guyana achieve the breakthrough needed to address its urban transportation problems. With less than 400,000 inhabitants in metropolitan Georgetown, a sustainable urban transportation system is certainly achievable with policies that are all-inclusive and people-centered.
With a much smaller population and land space 10 times that of Singapore, sustainable transportation could be achieved with less resources but more will power. There are a few vital steps to take on the road to sustainable transportation.
Step one would involve a diagnostic assessment of transport needs and available services (demand and supply). Relevant considerations such as: review of Guyana’s land use policies, survey of trip patterns and travel demands, access to services, freight transport, retail and recreational needs, funding sources, inter alia.
Step two would entail comprehensive national and community based consultations, to facilitate the crafting of a national transport policy and a land use re-development plan.
Step three should address implementation of the plan and include the regulatory framework (A Urban Transport Authority) and building the necessary infrastructure such as bus terminals, sheds, lay-bys, sidewalks, pedestrian overpasses, reorganization of bus routes, migration from minibuses to mid and large public buses for the provision of a safe, reliable and clean public transport service.
With commitment and all-inclusive people centered policies, Guyana can develop a reliable, efficient and safe urban transport system comparable to that of Singapore and other global cities. By Patrick Thompson
