Little India - ParkSquare Network
This urban design project aims to improve the pedestrian experience in Little India, Singapore, by addressing the key challenges of congestion and lack of shade that affect pedestrians and vehicles alike. Our approach, grounded in detailed spatial analysis and field observations, explores the urban regenerative potential of the neighbourhood through the innovative use of underutilized alleys.
By connecting these existing alleys, we create an extensive network of shaded walkways, enhanced with green coverings to combat urban heat and offer sun protection. Additionally, we integrate neglected green spaces into this network, transforming them into active park-squares.
This strategy is designed to ease congestion and enhance walkability, offering a significantly improved experience for those navigating the bustling streets of Little India on foot.
Here's a visual summary of the project -
Analysis of our Site/Intervention Area
Our proposed intervention area is bounded by two busy main roads: Kampong Kapor Road and Serangoon Road - in the District of Little India in Central Singapore.
Numerous side streets grant entry to the interior shophouses, where the bulk of pedestrian activity is concentrated. It is along these bustling thoroughfares that Little India's most frequented shops and restaurants are found, drawing significant foot traffic to the area.
Potential I : Unused Back Alleys
Beyond the bustling main roads, the back alleys weave an interconnected network linking key attractions, including Mustafa Centre and the Indian Heritage Centre. Developing these alleys into a structured network could offer pedestrians an alternative route through the heart of Little India, bypassing the main roads entirely.
Proposal I : Connect the Back Alleys to form a unified Pedestrian Network
The first part of our typology focuses on the back alleys. By removing existing obstructions, we aim to establish a back alley network that diverts pedestrian traffic from the congested five-foot ways and minimizes the necessity of walking alongside the main roads, which poses safety risks. This strategy enhances both the overall pedestrian and shopping experiences along the shophouses. Furthermore, installing lighting in the back alleys will significantly improve visibility and safety during nighttime.
Incorporating a green roof trellis, the back alleys receive partial shading, rendering the daytime walking experience more enjoyable. The distinctive design of the green trellis also functions as a visual cue to pedestrians, indicating their presence within the ParkSquare Network. Guided by this green canopy, pedestrians can easily navigate through the network's existing pathways.
Additionally, we suggest implementing a distinctive signage system for the back alley network, designed to (i) motivate pedestrian usage of the network and (ii) offer guidance and visual indicators towards major attractions, such as adjacent malls or parks. This innovative signage system aims to facilitate seamless navigation through Little India's back alley network for pedestrians.
Potential II : Disjointed and Under utilised Green Spaces and Urban Voids
Little India's urban landscape is characterized by colonial-era shophouses, lacking the multi-storey or underground parking facilities typical of modern HDB developments. To compensate, the area is equipped with several large open-air car parks and street-side parking options. Although green spaces and fields are frequently found adjacent to these car parks, they are not designated as public parks and hence lack essential amenities such as benches, lighting, pavements, and sufficient tree coverage to provide shade. Consequently, the abundance of open car park areas and undeveloped fields results in swathes of urban space that remain underutilized and devoid of life.
Proposal II : Develop the Existing (and unused) Green Spaces in Little India
Consider a specific case: the site situated along Kampong Kapor Road, currently hosting a parking lot and a small green space. The plethora of roads and intersections in this vicinity renders pedestrian navigation perilous and challenging. Additionally, there exists a conservation building along Chitty Road, which remains undeveloped, standing in anticipation of future enhancements.
Our vision is to transform this site into Kampong Kapor ParkSquare, a vibrant public space connected by an extensive back alley network. Through the strategic use of automated bollards, the main roads leading to ParkSquare could be restricted for the majority of the day, only allowing vehicular access during early mornings for deliveries and services. This approach ensures a largely car-free ParkSquare, enhancing pedestrian safety and enjoyment. The conversion of the conservation building along Chitty Road into a new hawker centre would further attract foot traffic, enriching the ParkSquare experience. Additionally, the introduction of large trees, benches, and water features would create a welcoming and shaded public area for all to enjoy.
The proposed interventions are deliberately minimal, aiming to enhance the urban experience of Little India while also thoughtfully preserving its authenticity as a site of heritage and memory.
Overall Strategy : Back Alleys + ParkSquare = The ParkSquare Network
In response to the primary challenges identified at our site—urban voids and a pervasive lack of shade—alongside the untapped potential of Little India's pedestrian pathways, we have crafted a concept designed to invigorate public spaces through enhanced shade and improved connectivity.
Our urban intervention strategy introduces a new typology: the ParkSquare Network. This concept consists of two integral elements: the ParkSquare, which merges the functionality of a landscaped park with the communal aspect of a public square, and the Network, an intricate system of interconnected back alleys. These alleys augment the existing maze of shophouse five-foot ways, directing pedestrian flow towards the ParkSquare.
The ParkSquare Network typology holds significant potential for repurposing many of the currently underutilized open spaces in Little India, including car parks and vacant fields within our area. We are confident this approach can also be adapted to enhance other historic districts across Singapore, offering a versatile solution for urban revitalization.
Team Members :
Ishmam Ahmed, Barnabas Mah.
Course :
Urban Spatial Representation (by Joshua Comaroff)