Singapore’s Marina Barrage
Singapore is flooded. I think it was almost waist deep. I could see some old cars toppled on the streets and people carrying their belongings above the water. I would have believed if this scene was taken in the Philippines a few months back but that this was taken in Singapore. It was in the 1960s when Singapore suffered massive floods during the rainy season. I was looking at photographs more than 45 years ago at Marina Barrage and was just amazed how floods are nonexistent at this time since then.
The Pump House
I left the Nuffnang Group tour at Singapore Mint Museum and proceeded to do my own tour of the city. Met my friend in Funan Mall and from there navigated the MRT to proceed to Marina Bay, the last/start station on the North South Line. From there took a bus and headed to Marina Barrage. It’s a fairly new place that opened November 2008.
Marina Barrage impressive architecture
Marina Barrage is actually a dam built across Marina Channel. Aside from being a reservoir, it acts as a tidal barrier to control sea water and alleviate flooding in the low lying areas in the city. There is also a Visitor Center there for people wishing to know more about this Environmental and Architectural projects which has garnered accolades around the globe.
Kite Flying is one of the popular activity
I was very interested on how Singapore managed to control the flooding problem they had 45 years back. There where photos there and also cited their sewage and waterway projects throughout the years. I know Singapore is small and could manage to build infrastructure to manage flooding but I hope we could do the same here in the Philippines one area at a time.
The Marina Bridge that controls Water Flow
Anyways one area of interest here is the park. Looks like a circular elevated-flyover park. There were lots of people there mostly locals having a picnic, flying kites and doing photography. There were only a few foreigners since this isn’t really listed as a tourist attraction yet. I even saw a group of Filipino Photographers there.
Waiting for the Sun to go down
It’s a nice place to relax for a weekend if I were living in Singapore. It offers good photographic possibilities especially with the view of Singapore Skyline on the horizon including the Singapore Flyer. But I made a booboo of not bringing a tripod since I didn’t expect to stay there until night. But I did manage to get some nice photos of the place when the lights lit up.
The Marina Barrage at Night
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I miss Singapore Flyer, not really a thrilling ride but it offers a great view of the metropolis.
It seems like S’pore has found a way to address all it’s problems from flooding to crime prevention. I’d hate to make comparison, but I hope our gov’t can learn something from those who have successfully combat their their problems.
that part of singapore i should see the next time i go there. beautiful architecture view my type of place.
Hi Claire! I missed my chance to ride the Singapore Flyer when I was there, but it’s great to know from you that the view there is worth it.
Yeah Photo Cache, Singapore is very efficient with their waterways system.
You should visit it Dom, if you fly to Singapore again.
Wonderful architecture that’s also functional. Hmmm, but I think aside from these structures, an important part of SG’s flood control is the reforestation/replanting/greening of the city. That’s one thing we can emulate sana. Aside from adding to the beauty of the place by softening the cityscape, the trees help address the pollution and flood concerns.
i wish our waterway system would be as efficient as theirs. we will be needing that a lot. *sigh*
oh well.
great shots. i wanna try to fly a kite there.. one day. hehe. lagi na lng ako one day neto. hahha.
True Og, I also noticed that they landscape their environment well with trees and plants making the city more pleasant to look at.
Haha! Who knows Tina! Maybe you’ll find yourself there one day when you least expect it.
nice night shots… very pretty and more impressive is the cleanliness of the city