CH2M HILL develops master plan aimed at revitalizing and sustaining Singapore waterways

CH2M HILL, a global, full-service engineering, construction and operations firm, and its partner Atelier Dreiseitl, an innovative and cutting-edge design office focused on water, landscape and sustainability, are working with PUB, Singapore's national water agency to transform Singapore's waters into an integral, vibrant and sustainable feature of the island-nation of 4.5 million. The Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters Programme, launched in April 2006, will help achieve the Prime...
June 19, 2007
4 min read

DENVER, June 18, 2007 -- CH2M HILL, a global, full-service engineering, construction and operations firm, and its partner Atelier Dreiseitl, an innovative and cutting-edge design office focused on water, landscape and sustainability, are working with PUB, Singapore's national water agency to transform Singapore's waters into an integral, vibrant and sustainable feature of the island-nation of 4.5 million.

The Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters Programme, launched in April 2006, will help achieve the Prime Minister's vision of Singapore as a city of gardens and water by:
• Bringing people closer to water
• Providing a beautiful environment for all to enjoy
• Creating community spaces for new lifestyle activities and attractions
• Offering more recreational choices such as kayaking and leisure boating

In addition, the program will ensure a healthier, greener and more sustainable future for Singapore. Transforming the waterways into vibrant community spaces will increase economic growth by making Singapore an attractive destination for tourists and business leaders.

The CH2M HILL-Atelier Dreiseitl Partnership is creating the master plan for the Central Catchment, consisting of five reservoirs and 12 major rivers. Designs were recently showcased during a public exhibition at Singapore's Asian Civilization Museum on February 6 through 11, 2007. In addition to developing and designing concepts, the master plan identifies potential projects that can be implemented in the short term. The Partnership also teamed with Design Inc. and Phrase Communications, who bring specialized expertise in urban design, planning and cultural context and messaging to this project.

"There is no other project of this scale that is taking such an integrated view-a view that includes the engineering, science and behavioral framework of urban design," said Linda Macpherson, CH2M HILL's watershed manager. "PUB has decided to integrate waterways into the fabric and character of their city. Together with our partners, CH2M HILL is proud to be part of this iconic program to reshape the landscape of Singapore."

Over the next two years at least three signature projects will be rolled out. By damming up the Punggol and Serangoon Rivers, Singapore will create its 16th and 17th reservoirs. The popular Kallang River will be rejuvenated by adding boardwalks, floating decks, interactive water features and waterfront housing projects. One of the main canals flowing into the Singapore River, Alexandra Canal, will be optimized by creating new premium space and a park through decking over the canal.

These projects will test the master plan concepts that are based on:
• Creating a distinct river identity
• Reinventing the river as a new recreational destination
• Reconnecting the city to its river

Learn more about the ABC program at www.pub.gov.sg/abcwaters/index.html.

CH2M HILL, as an engineering company, has created this strategic partnership with Atelier Dreiseitl, an innovative design firm, to create the integrated approach necessary to address and balance all aspects of this multi-faceted project. This collaborative effort will find individual, creative and technical solutions for the problems urban areas face today and tomorrow.

Headquartered in Denver, Colo., employee-owned CH2M HILL is a global leader in engineering, construction and operations for public and private clients. With $4.5 billion in revenue, CH2M HILL is an industry-leading program management, construction management for fee and design firm, as ranked by Engineering News-Record (2006). The firm's work is concentrated in the areas of transportation, water, energy, environment, communications, construction and industrial facilities. The firm has long been recognized as a most-admired company and leading employer by business media and professional associations worldwide. CH2M HILL has more than 19,000 employees in regional offices around the world.

The Atelier Dreiseitl is a Germany-based multidisciplinary practice specialized in integrating art, urban hydrology, environmental engineering and landscape architecture within an urban context. With a particular focus on water, one of the most essential and threatened natural resources on the planet, the practice seeks to awaken a new understanding of sustainability while implementing comprehensive design solutions. Since more than 25 years the Award winning Atelier Dreiseitl works successfully worldwide on high-profile water projects. (Recent publication: Dreiseitl/Grau: Waterscapes: Planning Building and Designing with Water)

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