Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay Expansion: “Wetlands by the Bay”

(eap) The nature-, recreation- and tourism-oriented public park complex Gardens by the Bay in the Marina Bay district of Singapore is set to be further developed: plans call for the creation of an area covering around five hectares that will be named “Wetlands by the Bay”. Construction is scheduled to begin next year and to be completed in several phases by 2028 in order to open the site to visitors.

Canopy Boardwalk, concept art © Gardens by the Bay Thematically, Wetlands by the Bay draws on the artificially created wetland “Kingfisher Wetlands”, also located within the Gardens, which includes, among other features, a lookout platform for observing various local animal species. Like the Kingfisher Wetlands, the Wetlands by the Bay area will also be designed with numerous mangroves and other coastal plants in order to promote biodiversity. As a special attraction for visitors, a cantilevered canopy boardwalk and an immersive art experience are planned. The latter is being developed in collaboration with the international art collective teamLab and is set to be integrated into the existing teamLab museum at Gardens by the Bay. Visitors can look forward to a multisensory journey in pedal kayaks that will connect art installations and the natural wetland habitat – both indoors and outdoors. In addition, a new community meeting point called “Glade Lawn” will be created, which will also be usable as an event venue.

Wetlands by the Bay is intended to complement the ongoing eastern expansion of the Gardens – the “Bay East Garden” area. This comprehensive development phase, which complements the areas “Bay South Garden” and “Bay Central Garden”, focuses on ecological landscape design combined with the creation of additional cultural and recreational spaces.

aerial view of Wetlands by the Bay © Gardens by the Bay Felix Loh, CEO of Gardens by the Bay, explains: “Gardens by the Bay is ever evolving to continuously provide fresh experiences for both Singaporeans and visitors from all over the world, and Wetlands by the Bay is our latest transformation. Last year, more than 16 million people visited Gardens by the Bay to experience our offerings – our highest visitorship to date – and it is timely to look at expanding our range of attractions. […] Together with the upcoming Bay South-East bridge, these new additions to the Marina Bay area contribute to a prime waterfront experience and are another step forward in Singapore’s ‘City in Nature’ vision.” ■