Geography in Everyday Life - Topic 1

Question 1

What are spatial patterns?

Answer 1

Spatial patterns reflect non-random arrangements that are recognisable as shapes, clusters, geometry, or repeated occurences at regular intervals.
* Services, events and objects in our neighbourhood are often non-randomly arrnaged
* There is often a reason why particular services, events and objects are located in particular spaces
* Recognising spatial patterns is useful as it helps us understand the world around us
* Spatial patterns can be easily identified on maps where services, events and objects are represented by points, lines or polygons.

Spatial patterns may appear as:
* Recognisable shapes and geometry such as circles and lines on a map
* Clusters or concentrations on a map
* Repeated occurrence at regular intervals on a map

Question 2

What are spacial associations?

Answer 2

Spatial associations refer to the tendency of a pair of services, events and objects to be located

Example:
* Lifts and stairways are often located next to each other

They suggest connections between services, events or objects

Example:
* Fitness centres are found near studio HDB blocks, allowing the elderly to easily acceess them without having to travel to another estate or block

Understanding spatial associaions in our neighbourhood enhances our everyday life

Example:
* Train stations and bus interchanges are often located near each other to increase the convenience of switching from one mode of transport to another. Understanding this can help residents plan their trips to decrease their travelling time

Question 3

What are spatial scales?

Answer 3

• Spatial scales refer to the extent of an area in which a phenomenon or process takes place
• Scales can be at different hiearchies including global, regional, and local
• Nested areas are smaller areas located within larger areas
• Knowing spatial scales helps us understand how events and processes at one spatial scales may affect people and nature at other spatial scales
• Examining phenomena and/or processes at different scales provide us with different perspectives based on the spatial patterns and trends observed

Question 4

What are the spatial scales in Singapore?

Answer 4

• In Singapore, there are more than twenty towns that are spread across the island
• In each town, there is a town centre with a concentration of activities
• Each town centre may servce as the commerical and social hub for residents living in its neighbourhoods.
• Some town centrs may have integrated transport hubs where bus interchanges and train stations are near shoppping malls.
• The convenience if such centres may attarcts visitors from others 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
• There are also large gathering places in town centres such as the Punggol Town Square and Festive Plaza at Our Tampines Hub where community activites take place regularly
• The design of town centres helps us understand Singapore’s larger and longer-term goals.

Question 5

What are the spacial hierarchies can we observe in Singapore?

Answer 5

• In Singapore, there are nested areas of different sizes, beginning with a single residential unit
• Each of these residential units is part of a precinct, which is part of a neightbourhood that is located within a town.
• A neighbourhood comprises a few preincts, and a few neighbourhoods make up a town

Question 6

What is a precinct?

Answer 6

• Between 400 and 800 residential units form a precinct
• Facilities are often within close proximity, serving residents’ everyday needs
  → Children’s playgrounds, community gardens and covered linkways are always located near to each other, enhancing convenience and accessibility as well as catering to various needs
• However, some other facilites are spread throughout the precinct to meet the residents’ needs.
  → Bus stops are spread out in regular intervals such that there is a bus stop near every apartmnet block, which ensures most residents

Question 7

What is a neighbourhood and town?

Answer 7

• A neighbourhood serves between 4,000 and 6,000 residents.
• Each neighbourhood comrpises a few precincts..
• A few neighbourhoods form a town
• The town’s neighbourhooods can be found surrounding the town centre, which eneables all residents to travel to and from the town centre conveineintly
• In Singapore, each town has a wide range of facilities and features that enhance residents’ convenience and meet their everyday needs. These include:

→ Extensive roads, cycling and pedestrian networks in each town that enable residents to travel easily from one precinct to another or from one neighbourhood to the town centre
→ Shops and schoools that serve residents

• Facilities at the neighbourhood and precinct also complement one another to serve residents
• Some neighbourhoods also have integrated facilities that bring together amenities under one roof

Question 8

How is town planning done in Singapore?

Answer 8

Town planning in Singapore:
1. Serves residents and prvides for nature at distinct levels of the precinct, neighbourhood and town
2. Creates connections and synergies across precincts, neighbourhoods and towns

Question 9

Explain how Singapore serves residents and prvides for nature at distinct levels of the precinct, neighbourhood and town

Answer 9

• Land in each town is mostly allocated for housing, industrial and commercial development
• Remaining land is set aside for roads, school, parks and other essential facilities
• Facilities at the precinct, neighbourhood and town levels:
  → Enable each town to be self-sufficient and provide employment opportunities
  → Often complement each other

Question 10

Give an example whereby Singapore serves residents and prvides for nature at distinct levels of the precinct, neighbourhood and .town

Answer 10

Example:
* Tengah is Singapore’s first “forest town” that will feature a 5km long forest corridor to support a rich biodiversity in the town
* The key features of Tengah will revolve around nature and the community, creating a town where future residents can experience being “At Home with Nature”
* At the town level, a dedicated network will enable residents to travel conveniently within Tengah on foot or by cycling
* At the neighbourhood level, residents will have opportunities to farm together at community gardens

Question 11

Explain how Singapore’s town planning creates connections and synergies across precincts, neighbourhoods and towns

Answer 11

• Connections and synergies are created to help achieve sustainabilituy
• Long-term plans at the national level seek to achieve this by optimising scarce land resources to cater to the diverse needs of current and future generations
• As both a city and a soverign state, Singapore needs to accomodate other uses that are typically not located in cities, which means urban planners in Singapore have to consider planning for military facilities, waste treatment facilities, power stations, seaports and airports

Question 12

Example of how Singapore’s town planning creates connections and synergies across precincts, neighbourhoods and towns

Answer 12

Example:
* In Singapore, the Urban Redevelopment Authoritiy (URA) coordinates the long-term planning for Singapore, which involves multiple stakeholders and agencies.
* The Long-Term Plan maps out land ,uses and infrastructure needs in Sinagpore over the next 50 years, where plans are reviewed every 10 years.
* Diverse needs, competing land usees and space for key infrastructure, train lines and cycling networks are also considered

Example:
* The Senoko Waste-to-Energy plant

Question 13

What is a community?

Answer 13

• A group of people in a particular place who has a sense of belonging both to the place and to the group

Question 14

What is a nature area?

Answer 14

Also known as a natural environment, it refers to the nonhuman world, which are areas that are untouched or barely affected by humans

Question 15

What is recreation?

Answer 15

Any voluntary activity undertaken for purposes of enjoyment, pleasure and personal satisfaction.

Question 16

What is neighbourhood?

Answer 16

A sub-division of an urban area that is distinguished by some character or quality, where residents share commonalities

Question 17

What is wildlife?

Answer 17

Animals of a wild nature including their young or eggs

Question 18

What is vegetation?

Answer 18

The collection of plant life that provides ground cover in a region

Question 19

What is environment protection?

Answer 19

Any activity to protect, conserve and restore natural habitats and species

Question 20

What is soil erosion?

Answer 20

Soil particles being detached, transported and deposited by water, wind, gravity, animals or plants

Question 21

What is pollution?

Answer 21

The introduction of harmful substances into the environment

Question 21

What is a pollutant?

Answer 21

Substance that is present in concentrations that may harm humans, plants or animals

Question 22

What is the relationship between people and nature

Answer 22

1. Local communties and nature areas are dependent upon each other
2. Local communties and nearby nature areas mutually affect each other

Question 23

How are local communties and nature areas are dependent upon each other?

Answer 23

People are dependent on nature for many things
* Nature provides essentials like air and water for humans to survive
* Living orgamisms like bees help pollinate crops for a continous supply of food
* Nature provides spaces for recreation and leisure activitis which allow people to bond with their family and friends, ths helping to maintain humans’ physical and mental well-being

Some nature areas are also dependent on local communities to thrive
* People in the neighbourhood may tend to the health of nearby nature areas, ensuring the plants and animals living there thrive
* Individuals in local communties can encourage one another to nearby nature areas in a sustainable manner without causing irreversible damage

Question 23

How does local communties and nearby nature areas mutually affect each other

Answer 23

In a mutual relationship, the parties involved can bring about benefits to each other The presence of green spaces and urban **wildlife** in neighbourhoods can enhance the mental health and well-being of local communties Human activities in nature areas can enhance their biodiversity. Through reforestation activities: * People can gain enjoyment and enhance their mental health and well-being * The overall health of the natural environment is enhanced as more sheler and habitat for the urban wildlifue to thrive are provided

Question 24

How do people and nature bring about benefits to each other?

Answer 24

1. Nature areas benefit people by lowering temperatures, removing pollutants, and providing space for recreation 2. People bring benefits to naturie through community activities that promote the improtance of environmental protection

Question 25

How does nature areas benefit people by lowering temperatures?

Answer 25

**Lowering air temperature:** The presence of **vegetation:** * Provides shade and reduces the amount of direct sunlight that reaches the surface * Cools the surrounding air through evapotranspiration as the water that plants absorb throughtheir roots is released into the air as the water vapour. This process uses heat from the surrounding, thus cooling it.

Question 26

How does nature areas benefit people by removing pollutants

Answer 26

* During photosynthesis, vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide and other air pollutants and releases oxygen * Small particles are intercepted by leaves, which are washed to the ground when it rains * Wetland plants can trap suspended materials and absorb excess nutrients in the water, thus improving water quality

Question 27

How does nature areas benefit people by provision of recreation space?

Answer 27

* Nature areas offer numerous opportunities for outdoor activities * Direct and frequent interactions with nature can bring about health and wellbeing benefits to people, which reduce severity and occurence of health conditions

Question 28

How does people bring benefits to nature through community activities that promote the importance of environment protections?

Answer 28

* Locals communties can collectively raise awareness about the value of nature areas through encouraging positive behaviour that does not damage nature * Local communities can also organise or participate in conservation efforts

Question 29

Give examples of how people bring benefits to nature through community activities that promote the importance of environment protections?

Answer 29

**Example 1:** * The NParks Citizen Science initiative, Dragonfly Watch, trains participants to identify different dragonfly species at theri assigned sites. This results in greater protection of the species by raising awareness of their importance in the environment. **Example 2:** * The waterways clean-up programme organised by the Waterways Watch Society creates opportuntiies for schools to pick up trash from the Marina Reservoir

Question 30

How do people bring disadvantages to nature?

Answer 30

Causing soil erosion and damaging vegetation * When people hike along non-designated trails in nature areas → They may cause soil compaction which prevents rainwater from infiltrating the surface. This leads to higher surface flows and soil erosion as the flowiing water washes away the soil particles → They may trample on the vegetation, damaging plants and affecting their growth. Worsening pollution and disturbing wildlife * Littering can worsen pollution in natural areas * Animals can get cut by metal cans or become entangled with plastic containers and bags * Some animals may also mistake their litter for food and consume them. This may cause the animals to get hurt and suffer, and may eventually lead to their death

Question 30

What are the disadvantages people and nature bring to each other?

Answer 30

* People bring disadvantages to nature by **causing soil erosion, damaging vegetation, worsening pollution and disturbing wildlife** * Nature may bring disadvantages to people as **wildlife from nearby nature areas may harm people and environmental protections may limit development**

Question 31

In certain scenario, how does environmental protection limit development? Elaborate using an example

Answer 31

Environmental protection may be perceived to be limiting development: * Some people in local communtiies may feel that the protection of nature is done at the expense of their needs **Example:** * The Cross Island MRT Line was proposed to be built around, instead of under, the Central Catchment Nature Reverse to protect our largest primary rainforest * Residents were afraid that this development would: → Bring them inconvenience → Damage their property → Result in their homes being acquired to make way for the construction * However, this nature reserve is home to numerous critically endangered species. Construction of the Cross. Island MRT Line may damage their habitat, affecting their survival.

Question 32

What are the reason for human-wildlife conflicts?

Answer 32

Human-wildlife conflicts may increase due to an increase in human-wildlife encounters, due to: * Urban expansion * People's growing interest in outdoor recreation * Greening efforts by the state As the wildlife population in the city increases, people who may not know how to deal with them may unintentionally provoke them, leading to attacks. Some animals may be confused and fearful when they venture into unfamiliar urban spaces, increasing their likelihood of attacks when fearful or triggered

Question 33

Why is urban expansion a reason for human-wildlife encounters?

Answer 33

* Singapore continues to urbanise and develop, leading to natural habitats shrinking. Wildlife may venture out of the nature areas in search of food or shelter, potentially increasing the frequency of human-wildlife encounters

Question 34

Why is people's growing interest in outdoor recreation a reason for human-wildlife encounters?

Answer 34

* With a growing interest in outdoor recreational activities, people are now spending more time in nature areas, which increases the frequency of human-wildlife encounters

Question 35

Why is greening efforts by the state a reason for human-wildlife encounters?

Answer 35

* Singapore aims to bring nature back into the city and promote human-wildlife encounters

Question 36

How do people acquire a sense of place in their neighbourhood?

Answer 36

1. Repeateud encounters with objects and people 2. Significant or memorable events at local landmarks and gathering places

Question 36

What is a sense of place?

Answer 36

* Sense of place is developed when people associate **meanings** and **memories** with locations. * It reflects the relationship people have with the places around them * A sense of place helps to build our identity, enabling us to understand ourselves and other better * It is derived from our experiences with the natural and **built environments,** and interactions with other at thesen locations * It is highly personal and subjective.

Question 37

How does significant or memorable events at local landmarks and gathering places acquire a sense of place?

Answer 37

* Landmarks are highly visible and easy for most people to remember. * They may serve symbolic or historical purposes * Landmarks may hold positive and/or negative memorises * They may feature public symbols that reflect a communites' reponse to a tragedy, serving as a place for people to preserve their memories of loved ones * Aside from landmarks, our interactions with people at everyday places such as shops may result in us developing an attachment to these places, enabling us to feel a sense of belonging to our neighbourhoods * Places which may not be visually distinctive such as open lawns and plazas may be transformed into memorable places where people gather during community events

Question 38

How is sense of place represented?

Answer 38

* Sense of place may be represented through different forms and types of **media** by individuals and organisations, which reflects people's ideas, memories and significance of the location * An individual may express their personal sense of place in different forms such as text, audio, graphics and still or moving images * This can then be shared with others thorugh

Question 38

How may representation of sense of place enhance or contradict an individual's sense of place?

Answer 38

* Different emotions expressed in the media might enhance or contradict our sense of place * Our sense of place shapes our identity, hence, we repond well to representations that agree with how we feel about places in our neighbourhood * Such representations add new layers of meanings to these places by revealing interesting information about them, thus enhancing our sense of place * However, we may respond defensively to media content that challeneges our sense of place, causing us to dismiss these media content, perceiving them, as distortions or untruths

Question 39

What are regions?

Answer 39

Areas with similar physical and/or human characteristics * Regions vary in size * Regions may be classified according to: → Environmental characteristics: Nature or built up areas → Human characterisics: e.g. Commerical or residential areas → Geographical location: e.g. East or West Regions can also be there sphere of **influence** of services, events and objects on other locations in the area A region's boundaries are where the effect of the service, events or objects are largely absent

Question 39

Give an example of regions being classified according to environmental characteristics

Answer 39

* Little Guilin, a nature park in Bukit Batok, is a nature region

Question 39

Give an example of regions being classified according to human characteristics

Answer 39

Jurong town can be broken down into two regions: * The commercial region where industrial buildings are found (in western and southern parts of Jurong) * The residential region where most homes are located (in eastern and northern parts of Jurong).

Question 40

Give an example of regions being classified according to geographical characteristics

Answer 40

The residential area in Bukit Batok can be further broken into two regions: * Western Bukit Batok: larger number of public housing, apartment blocks * Eastern Bukit Batok: larger numer of private landed housing and condominium

Question 41

What does the Town Council do?

Answer 41

* Regions in our neighbourhoods can be classified as the areas that our Town Councils service. * Town Councils are responsible for the common areas in public housing and commerical property within the town and carry out a vareity of works for the benefits of residents