1.4 Organisation of neighbourhoods in Singapore

Question 1

Spatial Scales

Answer 1

• Spatial scales refer to the extent of an area in which a phenomenon or process takes place.
• Scales can be at different hierarchies including global, regional, and local.
• Global areas consist of many regions, then countries, and then even smaller spatial units within countries such as provinces or districts.
• Nested areas are smaller areas located within larger areas.
• Knowing spatial scales helps us understand how events and processes at one spatial scale may affect people and nature at other spatial scales.
• Examining phenomena and/or processes at different scales can provide us with different perspectives based on the spatial patterns and trends observed.

Question 2

Spacial scales in SG

Answer 2

• More than twenty towns in Sg
• In each town there is a town centre with a concentration of activities which serves as the commercial and social hub for residents
• Some town centres may have integrated transport hubs where bus interchanges and train stations are near shopping malls.
• The convenience of such town centres may attract visitors from other towns to visit, making it viable for large shopping malls to be located there.
• It may also attract businesses to locate their offices in these town centres, as they can take advantage of lower costs and reduce travelling time for their workers.
  Example:
• The Bishan bus interchange and train station make it very convenient for visitors from other towns to visit Junction 8 mall.
• There are also large gathering places in town centres such as the Punggol Town Square and Festive Plaza at Our Tampines Hub where community activities take place regularly.
• The design of town centres helps us understand Singapore’s larger and longer-term goals.