Introduction to a Future Singapore
In 100 years, climate change and rising sea levels could drastically alter Singapore’s landscape, potentially submerging parts of the downtown area underwater and pushing the shoreline back to its pre-reclamation state. To give the general public a glimpse into this possible future, a brand new walking tour has been launched, utilizing augmented reality (AR) technology and a combination of archival and contemporary images.
The Walking Tour Experience
The 7.5km-long tour traces the historical shoreline from Tanjong Pagar to the banks of the Singapore River and Rochor Canal. Titled "Adapting Waterfronts: Postcards from the Future, Singapore 2122," this experience was created by Professor Gabriel Tenaya Kaprielian of Temple University in collaboration with the Nanyang Technological University’s Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS). The project also involved artists from Singapore, the US, Japan, Vietnam, China, and Taiwan, with support from the National History Museum of Singapore, the National Heritage Board, and the National Archives of Singapore.
Exploring the Future Through Technology
During the tour, visitors can engage with fictional postcards written by scientists, architects, and artists, imagining how Singapore will adapt to rising sea levels and what life might appear to be. Using a smartphone camera and the Adobe Aero app, available for each iOS and Android devices, visitors can interact with 3-D AR elements. However, it’s price noting that some Android phones may not support the app because of its beta phase.
Points of Interest
One of the tour’s highlights envisions futuristic versions of the normal wood kampung houses built on stilts, common within the Nineteen Seventies and earlier. Another focal point speculates on the development of a network of canals within the Telok Ayer area, allowing boats to sail past landmarks like Thian Hock Keng Temple, which was originally built near the coast within the 1820s before reclamation works began within the Eighteen Eighties.
The Purpose Behind the Project
According to Professor Kaprielian, "This project, in some ways, is attempting to reframe the challenges of climate change and sea level rise as opportunities for design innovation." The goal is to create speculative fictions concerning the future, allowing participants to explore the past, present, and potential future through different artistic visions of sea level rise, adaptation, and planning strategies.
Joining the Tour
The first of 4 guided walking tours, covering a 3km stretch of the trail, was hosted by Professor Kaprielian. The remaining tours are scheduled for Sunday, June 19, Saturday, June 25, and Sunday, June 26. Details and free tickets might be found on the EOS website and Eventbrite. For those preferring a self-guided experience, the complete 7.5km route might be accessed ranging from the pop-up gallery in Shenton Way by scanning QR codes from a downloadable PDF file.
Conclusion
The "Adapting Waterfronts: Postcards from the Future, Singapore 2122" walking tour offers a novel glimpse into a possible future for Singapore, encouraging participants to think concerning the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change. By combining technology, art, and speculation, this project invites the general public to assume and discuss what the longer term might hold for Singapore’s waterfronts. As the tour is currently slated to finish on June 26, with the opportunity of extension based on interest, it’s an experience to not be missed for those interested by the intersection of technology, art, and environmental challenges.
