Singapore: A Utopian Vision of a 15-Minute City?

Due to the actions of long-time Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, in 1965, Singapore entered a phase of rapid development that continues to this day. The prime minister emphasized the equality of citizens regardless of race or religion, the functioning of the free market, and low taxes allowing the inflow of foreign capital. To facilitate communication with the rest of the world, English became the main language spoken by Singaporeans¹. Singapore is visited by throngs of tourists every year, with luxury cruise ships arriving at the port. Today, the port of Singapore is the world's second-largest transshipment terminal². Opponents of the country's system point to the authoritarianism of the government, only theoretical equality, and the death penalty still in effect for possession of a small amount of drugs. The country applies a presumption of sale–the suspect has the responsibility to prove that they are merely in possession of the substance. In 2024, Singapore ranked 126th in a press freedom ranking compiled by the international organization Reporters Without Borders based on data collected from 180 countries³. Singapore supporters describe the illusion of democratic power in the country as “benevolent authoritarian rule”⁴. So what does the daily reality of Singaporeans look like? Let's peek at how this city-state, not much bigger than Warsaw, is implementing the smart city concept.

Public transport in Singapore is considered one of the most effective and efficient in the world⁵. Numerous subway and bus lines, as well as the Monorail, provide easy access to any part of the city. There is also Grab, a mobile app offering transportation services, which by the way it works resembles the popular Uber. A well-thought-out and affordable transportation system seems in line with the country's policy on car ownership. Seeing a person who owns a car, it is safe to assume that they are prosperous and well-endowed. Why? Singapore's car charging system was implemented to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and minimize air pollution⁶. As a result of the compulsory purchase of a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) required for car ownership, the total cost of buying a car has become several times higher. This makes buying a vehicle possible only for those with sufficient income. The certificate gives the right to use the vehicle for 10 years, and after this time the owner can choose to renew the certificate or scrap the car, recovering part of the registration tax–the younger the scrapped vehicle, the greater the tax refund. The cost of the certificate depends on the size, type, and age of the vehicle, as well as the engine capacity; rates exceed SGD 100,000⁷, which is currently more than PLN 300,000 (data as of December 2024). Although scrapping vehicles only a few years old is not a common practice in other countries, in Singapore such a policy has helped reduce congestion and pollution.

Singapore's real estate market is significantly shaped by the Housing Development Board (HDB), the state‑owned company responsible for building affordable public housing. Singapore's housing policy resembles that of cars. Apartments built by the HDB cannot be owned forever, only the right to use them for 99 years is purchased. The country also makes sure that racial diversity is preserved in the housing estates, with the percentage of residents of a particular race corresponding to the percentage of all representatives of that race in the population. However, affordable housing is only available to Singaporeans. Foreigners who want to live in Singapore must pay an additional tax of 60% of the value of the apartment. In this way, the government limits the influx of new residents. It also makes sure that too many people do not live in apartments that are too small.
Nearly 80% of residents live in units built by HDB⁸. The rest live in properties offered by private developers, which are also subject to ownership restrictions. These regulations are aimed at ensuring rational land use and controlling urban development.

Estates of tall, modern buildings are gated and monitored, providing comfort and security for residents. It is not uncommon to find a display at the entrance informing of the number of free parking spaces in real-time⁹. However, HDB developments do not resemble typical apartment blocks. In Singapore, special attention is paid to integrating greenery into urban developments. Each estate is carefully designed to offer residents access to parks, gardens, and green spaces, creating a harmonious and welcoming environment. Residents can even rent small monitored gardens to grow fruits and vegetables, which further promotes a sustainable lifestyle¹⁰. This small country, located between Malaysia and Indonesia, is an excellent example of the implementation of the 15-minute city concept. The idea of it is that residents should have access to all necessary services and amenities within walking distance of their homes. Each housing development features schools, health clinics, and other important institutions such as offices and recreational facilities. As a result, all health and administrative needs can be met without taking a time‑consuming trip. This is particularly important from the perspective of striving for sustainable development and reducing transportation-related emissions. Hawker centers are another key amenity that can be found in most neighborhoods, offering cheap and fine dining. These places are not only a culinary attraction, but also a social hub where residents can meet and socialize. In Singapore, it is common for people to leave things on the table to reserve a seat, indicating a high level of security and trust in the community¹¹. Singapore is characterized by excellent organization, lack of chaos, trimmed lawns, and access to drinkable tap water. With this organization of space, the city proves that it is possible to create an agglomeration where life is comfortable, sustainable, and safe.

In Singapore, many activities and initiatives are undertaken with the well-being of citizens in mind, making the city one of the safest and best-organized places in the world. Nevertheless, this utopian picture is not without its limitations. Several strict regulations and prohibitions have been put in place to maintain a high standard of living and safety.

The daily life of residents is strictly regulated, which includes a ban on feeding pigeons or selling chewing gum¹². Stringent rules apply to public behavior. Public displays of affection, hugging, or kissing are prohibited. Littering is also subject to heavy fines, which in some cases can even result in imprisonment. Failure to flush water in a public restroom also carries a fine. From 10:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., it is impossible to purchase alcohol from a store¹³.

The Singaporean government argues that the rules are intended to keep the city clean and in order, which in turn contributes to residents' comfort and quality of life. While this may seem like an excessive restriction of freedom, a significant number of residents appreciate the effectiveness of these regulations. High levels of security, lack of vandalism, and neat public spaces are the result of strict adherence to the rules, which ensure that Singapore remains an example of a well-organized and sustainable city.

Singapore is distinguished by its high level of education, and the state is committed to ensuring that every culture is respected. Public holidays are celebrated for every religion, and an effective pension system, in operation for 60 years, provides support in old age. Contributions are made to three accounts: housing, medical, and savings, and their distribution changes over time–initially a larger portion goes to the housing account, and after age 55 the accumulated funds are transferred to health and retirement accounts¹⁴.

Many of Singapore's solutions find their opponents. Lack of freedom of the press, limited freedom of residents, and the death penalty still in use are the most common examples cited by adversaries of the ruling party. At the other extreme are those pointing to skillful governance, one of the best health and pension systems, and leadership in global indicators of technological progress–in 2024 Singapore was ranked fourth in the Global Innovation Index¹⁵.

It is difficult to evaluate the regulations presented, looking at them only through the prism of one's values. For people of different nationalities and cultures, giving up some of their freedom in exchange for a guarantee of security and a prosperous life may be an acceptable compromise. Different societies have different priorities and needs, and this is reflected in their approach to politics.

What is not in doubt, however, is that the intent of the policies pursued in this small country is to make Singaporeans live as long as possible. Their well-being is put first, although the methods used to achieve this can be questioned. We should not, therefore, by our Eurocentric outlook, classify Singapore as white or black–utopia or dystopia. Rather, we should consider what solutions we can take from this Asian city-state to make Europe more sustainable, green, and secure.

¹ BezPlanu. (2024). Blaski i cienie Singapuru [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8wc5AL3oI
² ShipHub. (2022). Top 50 portów kontenerowych 2022. https://www.shiphub.pl/top-50-portow-kontenerowych-2022/#:~:text=2.,ponad%20120%20krajach%20i%20regionach. [access: 16.12.2024]
³ Reporters Without Borders. (2024). 2024 World Press Freedom Index – journalism under political pressure. https://rsf.org/en/2024-world-press-freedom-index-journalism-under-political-pressure. [access: 16.12.2024]
⁴ BezPlanu, op. cit.
⁵ The ET Story. (n.d.). Jak poruszać się po Singapurze komunikacją publiczną. https://theetstory.blog/jak-poruszac-sie‑po-singapurze‑komunikacja-publiczna/#:~:text=Po%20Singapurze%20mo%C5%BCna%20si%C4%99%20porusza%C4%87,celu%20szczeg%C3%B3lnie%20polecam%20autobusy%20dwupoziomowe. [access: 17.12.2024]
⁶ Derewienko, E. (2023). Opłata za prawo do posiadania samochodu? W Polsce by nie przeszła, a w Singapurze płacą krocie. https://300gospodarka.pl/news/oplata-za-prawo-do-posiadania-samochodu-w-polsce‑by-nie‑przeszlo-a-w-singapurze‑placa-krocie#goog_rewarded. [access: 17.12.2024]
⁷ Czarnecki, M. (2023). Chcesz mieć w Singapurze samochód? Zapłać pół miliona za certyfikat. https://wyborcza.pl/7,75399,30266086,chcesz-miec-w-singapurze‑samochod-zaplac-pol-miliona-za-certyfikat.html. [access: 17.12.2024]
⁸ Lim, A. (2024). 13+ Housing & Household Statistics in Singapore (2024). https://smartwealth.sg/housing-household-statistics-singapore/. [access 17.12.2024]
⁹ BezPlanu, op. cit.
¹⁰ Ibidem.
¹¹ Ibidem.
¹² Finnerty, J. (2023). 12 Unique Laws in Singapore You Should Know Before You Visit. https://www.silverdoor.com/blog/12-unique‑laws-in-singapore‑you-should-know-before‑you-visit-/. [access: 18.12.2024]
¹³ EHL Insights. (2023). 18 Rules to Live by in Singapore: Dos and Don'ts of the Fine City. https://hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu/singapore‑rules. [access: 18.12.2024]
¹⁴ Kiermacz, W. (2018). Singapurski system emerytalny – zaskakująco pomysłowy. https://www.analizy.pl/blog-wojciecha-kiermacza/22810/singapurski-system-emerytalny-zaskakujaco-pomyslowy. [access: 18.12.2024]
¹⁵ World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). (2024). Global Innovation Index 2024 (S. Dutta, B. Lanvin, L. Rivera León, & S. Wunsch-Vincent, Eds.; 17th ed.). World Intellectual Property Organization. https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/en/. [access: 12.12.2024]

sustainability podcast

The 15-Minute City. Examples All over the World

Are you tired of long commutes, traffic jams, and urban sprawl? Imagine a city where everything you need is just a short walk or bike ride away. Join us on a global journey as we explore how cities like Paris, Barcelona, and beyond are embracing a revolutionary approach to urban design that prioritizes convenience, sustainability, and quality of life. Read the full article on the 15-minute city and discover how it’s reshaping urban living!

digitization smart city

The Advantages of City Digitization. Smart City in Numbers

Although the world has long successfully existed in the popular consciousness as a global village, the development of the latest technologies continues to challenge society to adapt to a dynamically changing reality. In an increasingly interconnected world, cities are at the forefront of technological innovation. The concept of smart cities, fueled by digitalization, promises to revolutionize urban living–from reducing carbon emissions to enhancing quality of life. See if the numbers speak for themselves.

Singapore: A Utopian Vision of a 15-Minute City?

Singapore. The city of the future

Transportation and mobility in Singapore

Real estate market: modernity and affordability

15-minute city. Implementation of the concept in Singapore

An example of utopia or dystopia? Restrictions for residents

See more similar posts

The 15-Minute City. Examples All over the World

The Advantages of City Digitization. Smart City in Numbers