Urban System Studies The Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Programme Water as an Environmental Asset

Concrete drains and canals were once seen only as essential infrastructure that served the critical functions of stormwater management, allowing for the rapid urban development of Singapore in the early days. This changed in 2006 with the launch of the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Programme, which transformed waterways and waterbodies into beautiful recreational spaces to be enjoyed by people—marking a shift in the government’s approach towards the management of vital water resources.