| From: |
Darren Gan |
| Subject: |
E Consultation - Week One Questions
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| Sent: |
Apr 27th, 2009 - 18:46:58 |
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Hi, I'm Darren from Singapore
Singapore is in quintessence a knowledge based economy which is largely dependant on international trade and human capital for growth and development, receiving up to 70% of its GDP from the services sector, 30% from industry, and an negligible amount from agriculture. Agriculture in Singapore is much limited Horticulture, which occupies a total of 310 ha. With only a limited 699 sq km of land, of which not all can be developed, the government has made prudent use of land, taking into consideration long term strategic plans to safeguard our long term growth sustainability.
To overcome this challenge, the government has started land reclamation, and has since increased our land size by 8.1%. We also go underground, with train stations, bus stations and even underpasses built over each other. There is also as much emphasis on environmental sustainability, hence abundant greenery, from roads, school, to neighbourhood parks.
Singapore started its rural development in the 1960s, when much of its population still lives in unhygienic slums. To arrest the situation, the government built estates of high rise apartments in bulk at low cost and relocated much of its population into its units at affordable prices. Today, 84 percent of our population live in subsidised public housing, and more than 90 percent of all Singaporeans own their own homes, a stark difference, from merely 29 percent in 1970.
I do not personally know of any Youth who have been involved in any sustainable development strategy. However, much of the awareness has been raised through the media, schools and individual compulsory adhoc projects such as recycling and clean-up activities. I believe more can be achieved in terms of ownership and initiative by local youth in this regard.
I feel that young people are key change drivers, not only because we are a fervent and optimistic bunch but also because we will, in due time, inherit the world long with all, good or bad, that comes with it. We have yet to be tainted with the indifference which has taken much of the older population hostage. There have been pockets of such catalytic social agents among youth, but unfortunately these initiatives have limited visibility and are not commonplace.
Cheers
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