Singapore's Capri
Soon, Singapore
will have it's very own Capri, an idyllic resort off the west coast of Italy.
The plan is to transform the Southern Islands into a coastal botanical haven
where people can live in harmony with nature and yet have modern conveniences
such as fresh water, telecommunications and electricity.
As the Singapore Tourism Board's redevelopment consultant Mr. Bernard Spoerry envisions it, it will be a Capri without cars. To get around the raods planned for the three islands - St. John's, Lazarus and Renget - visitors and residents will probably have to use bicycles or even golf carts to travel around. Furthermore, Capri's low-rise buildings will be mirrored on this development of the Southern Islands where buildings at most would be four-storeys high.
Stressing that 80% of the islands, which now cover 88 ha, will remain untouched, the STB is confident the flora and fauna there will not be destroyed by the traffic. The tourism body has engaged the National Univeristy of Singapore to conduct a study of the island's ecological features and asses the fesibility of creating a haven forendangered species.
Reclamation work will be completed by 2002 and the resort will be ready by 2007, by then which half-a-million people a year are expected to visit the $280-million development compared to the 1,000 that the islands now attract.
In addition, the merging of these islands pave the way for the new generation of waterfront housing in Singapore with more units of housing along the sea than ever.
What's in Store