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Findings of Tengah study must be well presented to the public

I refer to the report “Tengah environmental study findings to be out soon” (April 5). I am pleased that the National Development Ministry is conducting a baseline study and will make public the key findings.

I refer to the report “Tengah environmental study findings to be out soon” (April 5). I am pleased that the National Development Ministry is conducting a baseline study and will make public the key findings.

This shows that it is taking into account the environmental impact these developments may have.

Furthermore, developing the estate into a “green” town with a car-free town centre is in line with Singapore’s ratification of the Paris Agreement, which aims to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

Publishing the information on the study will encourage communication between the ministry and the public.

It will allow the public and environmental groups to better understand the situation in Tengah, gain a sense of ownership and play a part in Singapore’s development. It is, however, important that the findings are presented well.

The 1,000-page environmental assessment done for the Cross Island Line was initially available to the public only in hard copy, with photography not allowed, and it was unreasonable to expect people to finish the paper in one sitting.

Besides publishing the full Tengah report online to prevent the same problem, perhaps the ministry can create an infographic of the study to cater for those who are less environmentally inclined.

Bite-sized information would ensure that the public is not overloaded with statistics and analyses, and allow non-academics to understand the potential environmental impact. It is also important that the feedback channel is straightforward, to encourage quality feedback.

Singapore is often seen as a country that has developed rapidly while favouring economic development over environmental sustainability. Perhaps it is time to show the world that the two components are not mutually exclusive.

Through environmentally friendly development and constant communication with the public and green civil society, Singapore can be a role model for the environmental movement. With citizens as the gardeners, we can truly become a City in a Garden.

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