Changing Cities

Portfolio
Authors: Marina Nozdraceva
Nikola Treimane
Jelizavela Listova

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-39641262

Reasons for increased urban growth

There are many reasons for increased urban growth in the developing world. Some of
which are:

 increasing birth rates and decreasing death rates

 improved health care in many developing countries leading to longer life
expectancies
 employment opportunities are greater within urban areas
 better paid jobs in the cities, an expected higher standard of living, and more
reliable food are all pull factors - reasons why people are attracted to the city
 people who migrate to towns and cities tend to be young adults and therefore
have higher birth rates
 better medical conditions compared to the countryside mean more successful
births and a better life expectancy
However, there are many problems associated with rapid growth. These include
unplanned housing (squatter settlements/shanty towns), dealing with urban waste,
pollution and stress on infrastructure and the city's services.

Problems in urban areas

Population growth has led to problems in many urban areas.

Traffic congestion is a major issue in developed and developing countries.

In developed world cities, there has been an increase in the number of cars on the road.
As more people move to the edge of towns and cities, traffic congestion may get worse.

Many people will drive their cars into the city centre for work. Substantial numbers get
there on newer, larger roads or motorways.

These roads then link up with older, narrower roads in the city centre. This causes a
bottleneck and congestion. Many inner city areas, with a network of narrow roads and
many junctions, cannot cope with the increased volume of traffic.

Further traffic issues include:

 increasing numbers of private and commercial vehicles in the city centre

 cost or lack of public transport
 cars parking on the main roads and a shortage of adequate parking facilities in
the city centre

In developing countries, population growth in urban areas has exploded, leading to

many people trying to access the cities for work. This situation is worsened by poor
public transport. Developing world governments cannot afford to invest in the
infrastructure, therefore roads are in disrepair.

Singapore calls itself the Garden City, and it’s making good on that promise.
Singapore's meteoric economic rise launched a landscape of towering architecture in
the compact city-state, but as the metropolis continues to grow, urban planners are
weaving nature throughout—and even into its heights. New developments must
include plant life, in the form of green roofs, cascading vertical gardens, and verdant
walls.

The push to go green extends to construction as well—green building has been

mandatory since 2008.

Much of that vision to keep Singapore both sustainable and livable stems from Cheong
Koon Hean, the first woman to lead Singapore’s urban development agency. The
veteran architect and urban planner is credited with reshaping the skyline through
landmark projects such as the waterfront residential and entertainment quarter Marina
Bay—whose gardens are one of the city’s top draws—and the Jurong Lake District,
slated to be a second business district and home to a new high-speed rail link to
neighboring Malaysia.

Cheong is now CEO of the Housing and Development Board, which builds and manages
public housing for most of Singapore’s 5.6 million people. Singapore’s sleek version of
public housing emphasizes community-centric towns (there are 23) and amenities.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/urban-expeditions/green-
buildings/green-urban-landscape-cities-Singapore/

National Geographic spoke to her about Singapore’s unique brand of building—and

how one day it may even take the city underground.

Singapore is a both a country and a city—an island about half the size of metropolitan
London. But compactness has its advantages: One can take a morning dip in the ocean
and then hop on a train to work.

Singapore is truly cosmopolitan, and we’ve managed to preserve our cultural—Chinese,

Indian, and Malay—and architectural legacy through a heritage conservation program.
It is a merger of old and new, a mix of the East and West. These are the beautiful
contradictions that make Singapore a richly diverse city.

Our founding prime minister had a vision to build a nation of homeowners—to give
Singaporeans a tangible stake in our country, financial security, and a critical sense of
belonging.

Through the Housing and Development Board (HDB), the government builds flats
[apartments] that are sold to citizens with a 99-year lease. Today HDB manages close to
one million flats, housing more than 80 percent of the population. Some 95 percent of
the units are owned.

Urban planning is more than just good physical design. It’s also thoughtful policy
design. The flats are priced to be affordable, at about 20 to 25 percent of income. We
provide choices for diverse needs and budgets, ranging from one bedroom to
multigenerational flats, with four bedrooms. As it appreciates over time, the flat may be
a key source of financing retirement needs. Elderly flat owners can sublet; sell off a
larger flat for a smaller one; or sell part of their lease back to HDB so that the proceeds
can be used to buy an annuity that provides income while they remain in their own
home.

For vulnerable families who cannot afford a flat of their own, HDB helps them through
its public rental program.

Singapore is divided into so-called city cells - it's like puzzle pieces, each of which has a
full set of socially significant objects. It turns out that the city is divided into five self-
sufficient regions (by the millions of inhabitants in each), the combined networks of
five radial and two ring metro lines. Commercial and business activity takes place in
each of them - at the intersection of branches. Therefore, a business that, due to low
taxes and loyal legislation, develops very quickly, does not overload the center, but is
dispersed throughout the city. In each of the regional centers there are sub-centers - if
you can not find a job there, you can find it in the center and only then in the main. The
same distribution of the load, according to Louis Tai Kera, could save Moscow from the
collapse. During his speech at the urban forum in ZIL, he argued that the correct
Moscow is three cities, and not one: each with its own university, a large stadium,
business centers.

With the onset of the economic boom, 10 years ago, transport problems arose in the
city: many new residents, personal transport, which was not regulated, and
infrastructure was not developed enough. Then the experts decided that by the present
moment these problems would have brought the city losses of two to three billion
dollars a year, and the government began to invest in reforms. Now, to use a personal
car, you need to buy a certificate for 10 years (70 thousand dollars), pay insurance (one
or two thousand dollars a year), and for each entry to the center to give another six
dollars (meaning the Singapore currency, which is about 20% cheaper than the US). At
the same time per unit of housing can be no more than one car.

In 2009, the government put into circulation e-Symphony cards, which you can pay off
on the toll road, in a bus, taxi, subway and even a supermarket. A day for such "travel"
is accomplished up to 20 million operations, and officials receive a huge array of data
on all modes of movement around the city. This information is examined and analyzed,
then used for a variety of purposes - from the introduction of a new bus route to the
construction of large transport arteries.

In 2010, the state allocated two million dollars for research on the impact of electric
cars on the tropical climate. Since that year, Nissan and Renault have been conducting
tests in the city. By the end of this decade, concerns want to achieve Singapore's global
leadership in the use of environmentally friendly cars.

https://owlcation.com/stem/Environmental-problems-of-modern-cities

Cities are therefore centers of consumption (energy, materials, ...), greenhouse gas
production, waste and emissions of pollutants in water and air. Ecological and
sociological footprints of cities have expanded over increasingly large areas and
created urban - rural continuum of communities, who share similar aspects of
individual lifestyles. There are less and less areas in the world which are not under the
influence of the dynamics of cities.

The world faces enormous environmental challenges in terms of climate change,

resource use and protection of the natural environment. Urban areas have a high
environmental impact that can be felt globally, as well as within its own borders.

Change of cities can be equated to the process of urbanization that occurs daily with
each city.
And today we will talk about one of the most changing cities, which from real cities
has turned into the richest metropolis on Earth - Singapore.
The process of changing in Singapore is very fast, a city of the future that mediates all
kinds of development from transport to ecology, infrastructure.
And first of all we will talk about the some factors that could affect such huge changes:
If we turn to Chinese research, then you need only 5 principles for sustainable urban
development. We can see how changes in the urban form influence liveability and
sustainability in the city. And we think because of that singapore is one of the leaders in
the worl in each area:
1. Design for people- plan for the human scale ( sustinable,healty, livavle, attractive,
accessible city for all ages); Marina Bay Sands Garden.
To keep order both spiritual and physical on the street, the Singaporeans came up
with a number of laws that punish themselves with heavy fines, for example, if you can
fumigate that fine can reach up to $ 50,000. Singaporeans preserve nature,urban
planners are weaving nature throughout—and even into its heights. New developments
must include plant life, in the form of green roofs, cascading vertical gardens, and
verdant walls, and all use ecologically clean products.
2. Evaluate your city- impact of change to urban form,better performing city( good
infrastructure),evaluate changes, test new solutions with pilots, new design guidelines;
3. Create a street network,- street is a public space, street should be connected with
public transport, ensure city is never out of order( economic,health and social benefits)
Global leadership in the use of environmentally friendly cars;
Transport Regulation - In 2009, the government put into circulation e-Symphony
cards, which you can pay off on the toll road, in a bus, taxi, subway and even a
supermarket. Officials receive a huge array of data on all modes of movement around
the city. This information is examined and analyzed, then used for a variety of purposes
- from the introduction of a new bus route to the construction of large transport
arteries.
4. Plan for a quality life- independent and integrated city , urban retrofit, ,rethink
density , policy and zoning; For example Urban cells in Singapore- It turns out that the
city is divided into five self-sufficient regions united by a network of five radial and two
ring metro lines. Commercial and business activity takes place in each of them - at the
intersection of branches. Therefore, a business that, due to low taxes and loyal
legislation, develops very quickly, does not overload the center, but is dispersed
throughout the city. In each of the regional centers there are sub-centers.
5. Build your vision- create and follow new guidelines, architecture quality, expand
energy efficiency, improve public services, livable environment and etc.
Prime minister had a vision to build a nation of homeowners—to give
Singaporeans a tangible stake in our country, financial security, and a critical
sense of belonging.
All these factors can be attributed to Singapore because this city is built according to
perfect techniques like feng shui, it is a purely ecological city that was created for the
sake of people's well-being. But if it were not for people, then the city itself was not
there. As in any developing city, man is themain cause of their development. But thanks
to one person to their Prime Minister who recently died Lee Kufn Yu, who was called
the father of the revival of Singapore.
Problems
1. Ecological Footprint;
2. Traffic Jam;
3. Pollution;
4. Overpopulation;
5. Housing Provision;
6. Access to services;
7. Safety and security;
8. Unemployment.
But these problems are not the problems of Singapore for the next 15 years, because
in their huge system in which each sphere is intertwined and connected, everything is
very clear and simple, like vfen shuya. If at least one tiny detail of this system fails, the
whole ideal picture of their world will collapse.

http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_2016-10-03_094744.html

In Singapore, vernacular education refers to education conducted in the native

languages of the main resident communities, namely Malay, Chinese and Tamil. From
the early 19thto the mid-20th centuries, formal vernacular education was started by
philanthropists, clan associations and missionary groups with limited assistance from
the British colonial government. After Singapore gained independence in 1965,
enrolment in vernacular schools began to dwindle as more parents chose to send their
children to English-medium schools. Tamil schools had disappeared by the 1970s,
followed by Malay and Chinese schools in the 1980s. By 1987, all Singapore schools
taught English as a first language, although mother tongue languages are still included
in the curriculum as part of the government’s bilingual policy.

Colonial period
In the early 19th century, education in Singapore was limited to Koran classes and
Chinese writing schools.1 Children were also taught by way of apprenticeship to their
parents or others who could teach them various arts and craft. 2

In 1823, Stamford Raffles planned for the establishment of an institution in Singapore

“for the cultivation of the languages of China, Siam and the Malayan Archipelago and
the improvement of the moral and intellectual condition of the inhabitants of those
countries”.3 The school was to include studies in English, Chinese, Malay and Siamese to
educate, firstly, local leaders and public servants, and then all the people of Singapore. 4
Although funds were raised and land was set aside for its establishment, the institution,
as conceived by Raffles, did not materialise. 5
 
The first formal school to be established on the island was the Singapore Free School,
which was founded in 1834 by Reverend R. J. Darrah. This school was to consist of a
central English school and elementary-level vernacular schools.6 Although the school
ran vernacular departments in Malay, Chinese and Tamil, these classes were short-
lived.7 The Free School subsequently became known as the Singapore Institution Free
School and later, Raffles Institution.8

For most of the 19th century, the colonial government showed a general lack of interest
in promoting education. Its limited involvement came in the form of financial support
for Malay schools and giving small grants to English schools.9 Other than the English
schools, funding was provided only for Malay education as the British regarded the
Malay language as the vernacular of Singapore.10

Malay schools
The first formal Malay class was started in August 1834 at the Singapore Free School
with an initial cohort of 12 Malay boys. The school’s Malay department eventually
closed down in 1842 due to a lack of interest and some prejudice among the Malays
towards foreign teachers. Following the department’s closure, little was done by the
colonial authorities to promote Malay education until 1856 when two Malay day
schools were established at Telok Blangah and Kampong Glam.11 Although both schools
lacked books, school equipment and qualified teachers, the school in Telok Blangah
produced better results due to the patronage of the sultan of Johor. 12

In 1872, A. M. Skinner was made Inspector of Schools of the Straits Settlements (which
Singapore was then a part of, along with Malacca and Penang). Although Skinner
considered Malay schools as subsidiaries of English schools, he nevertheless saw the
need to expand Malay education.13 Skinner established the Malay High School at Telok
Blangah in 1876. However, the high school project did not last long because the colonial
government subsequently converted the school into the Malay Teachers’ College in
1878 to meet the growing demand for Malay teachers. This college produced the first
formally trained Malay teachers in Singapore and Malaya.14

In 1893, the Isemonger Committee, led by then colonial treasurer E. E. Isemonger, was
formed to examine the system of Malay schools in the Straits Settlements. The
committee’s report noted that the number of Malay schools had increased from 16 in
1872 to 189 in 1892.15 Despite the growth in numbers, 22 Malay schools and the Malay
Teachers’ College closed down in 1895 due to low student enrolment. 16

When R. O. Winstedt became the assistant director of education of the Straits

Settlements and Federated Malay States in 1916, he made substantial changes to the
Malay school curriculum. Under the new curriculum, arts and craft were given more
prominence. Accordingly, subjects such as gardening, sewing and basketry were
introduced to cater to the needs of the rural communities in the Malay states. 17 In 1919,
the government allowed Malay boys in Singapore who had passed Standard III
(Primary Three) to transfer to English schools.18

Emphasis on Malay language

When the People’s Action Party (PAP) formed the government in 1959, Malay was
declared the national language and the government increased opportunities for
students and adults to learn the language. This policy was adopted mainly to increase
the chances of merger with Malaya.39 When Singapore left the Federation of Malaysia in
1965, there was a diminished interest in the Malay language and English was accepted
as the de facto working language of the country.40

Integration
Another policy thrust of the government was integration through the creation of
integrated schools where students from two or more language streams would study in
the same school under one principal. The aim of this policy was to foster better
understanding between students of the different language streams through sports and
extra-curricular activities.41

The integration scheme began in 1960 with two schools, Bukit Panjang High School and
Serangoon Garden High School, each enrolling 1,200 students – half from the Chinese
stream and half from the English stream. By 1970, there were 106 integrated schools
out of 526 schools in Singapore. These 106 schools had a combined enrolment of
166,000 out of a student population of 514,000.42

Bilingualism
While bilingualism was encouraged in schools, learning a second language was at the
time still regarded as optional due to emphasis being placed on other examinable
subjects in the curriculum. In 1960, the government made the study of a second
language compulsory for all primary schools,43 and this was rolled out at the secondary
level in 1966.44 Subsequently, efforts were made to increase student exposure to a
second language by using the mother tongue as a medium of instruction in selected
subjects. For example, in 1974, the government announced that a new primary school
subject, Education for Living, would be taught in the mother tongue. 45

End of vernacular schools

Tamil schools
Tamil education underwent a short period of rejuvenation in the 1960s when Tamil
schools became fully aided by the government. Enrolment increased and the first
government-aided Tamil secondary school, Umar Pulavar Tamil Secondary School, was
opened. Believed to have started in 1946, the school received government aid for its
new building completed in 1960.46 But by 1971, there were reports of Tamil schools
suffering from inadequate facilities and teachers, resulting in rapidly falling
enrolment.47 By 1975, there were no Primary One registrants for the Tamil stream. 48

Malay schools
A similar decline in enrolment was experienced in Malay schools. In 1966, over 5,000
pupils were enrolled in Malay schools. This dropped to about 2,000 pupils by 1969. 49
By 1982, there were no new students enrolling in Malay schools. 50

In December 1983, the Ministry of Education announced that all pupils in Singapore
would be taught English as a first language in a new national stream by 1987. This
policy signalled the end of Chinese-medium schools, the last of the vernacular schools. 54
This new policy, however, did not mean the end of vernacular education as the
Singapore education system would be based on a bilingual national stream with English
as the first language and the student’s mother tongue as the second language. 55

Mother tongue
Currently all Singapore students are required to study their mother tongue, which is
usually either Chinese, Malay or Tamil. It is an examinable subject for the Primary
School Leaving Examination (PSLE), as well as the General Certificate of Education
(GCE) N-, O- and A-Level examinations.56

The pros and cons of expat life in Singapore

In 1819, when the British arrived, it was little more than a swamp. But it was a
strategically located swamp, a key point on the trade route between India and China,
and Singapore soon became a thriving trading port. As business boomed, the city
grew and its population was swelled by a huge influx of immigrants from all over Asia.
Singapore’s commercial influence remains strong to this day and has made it a popular
expat destination. But how is life for expats? What are the pros and cons?

Pros: tailor-made for the expat

Singapore’s beginnings as a trading hub mean that the city has grown up with
commerce in its blood. Large parts of its population are non-indigenous (or at least
they were a generation or two ago) and it has a cosmopolitan feel that is more
‘international hub’ than ‘capital city’. It is ethnically and religiously diverse and a key
base for many major multinational corporations, with the result that there are many
expat opportunities here. The city is almost designed with the expat in mind.

Cons: expensive

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Singapore is the world’s most
expensive city to live in with prices “50% higher than New York”. Yet, once they are
over the initial ‘consumer culture shock’ of paying $6 for a cappuccino, few expats feel
the difference because typical expat salaries are so high. In fact, according to an HSBC
survey in 2015, 25% of Singapore-based expats earned more than $200,000 per annum
(compared to just 13% of expats globally).

However, this wealth is not evenly spread, and this creates another dimension of the
city – its inequality. From the ivory tower of the expat community, this may not impact
on your life, but be aware that the prosperity of the country does not mean Singapore
has no poverty.

Pros: great for travel

If your move to Singapore is your first time to the Southeast Asian region, it is a near-
perfect hub for onward travel. Its heritage as a trading post means there are excellent
travel connections with regular and reasonably short flights to India, China, Thailand
and Australia – which is of particular benefit to adventurous-minded expats from
Europe or the US. Time to tick off those bucket-list destinations while you’re out there.

Travel within Singapore is also a joy. The public transport infrastructure is modern,
well-funded and well-maintained. Getting around is easy and (relatively) inexpensive,
which is just as well because owning and running a car is beyond the budget of most
people (even on an expat salary). Cars are not only expensive but also difficult to buy:
you are not even allowed to buy one until the Singapore authorities issue you with a
‘Certificate of Entitlement’.

The favourite independent form of travel is to cycle (which in turn means that
pedestrians need to be watchful of criss-crossing cycle lanes) and taxis are numerous
and naturally very clean and well-maintained.

Cons: lack of variety

But while the local travel infrastructure is in a class of its own, there’s something
missing. There’s nowhere to go. Singapore is not a big place, and some expats complain
that once you’ve been there a week and visited a few shopping malls, you’ve seen it all.
The shopping malls are beautifully appointed, but variety seekers will be
disappointed.
The country’s size (the country and the city are more or less the same thing) also
means that it is very crowded. Get used to busy roads, packed sidewalks, and endless
queues – especially when something new opens as variety-seeking expats leap at the
chance to do something different.

Cons: local laws

If you are a guest in their country, you need to play by their rules. But Singapore has a
number of strict and sometimes unexpected rules (especially to Western expats). It is
illegal to smoke in public, sell chewing gum, feed the pigeons, leave a public toilet
unflushed, or connect to another’s wifi without permission (classified as hacking and
punishable by a $10,000 fine according to the country’s Computer Misuse and
Cybersecurity Act. Oh, and homosexuality is also illegal.

Pros: safety

Singapore is a small country/city, and the strictness of the government means that it is
tightly policed and there are surveillance cameras on every street corner. So while
some freedoms that are honored elsewhere in the world are not tolerated here,
Singapore has a very reassuring sense of security (as long as you’re not feeding
pigeons). For law-abiding expats, however, the result is that Singapore is a very clean,
safe city that you can walk around in safety.

Summary
Singapore is an expat favourite, and frequently features in Top 5 lists. But compared to
many expat destinations it is sometimes viewed as rather sanitised and the strictness of
the rules may take a little getting used to. Our advice is to enjoy the salary, use the
location to visit the rest of the region, take in the shopping malls, and remember to
flush the loo.  

https://www.singaporebusiness.com/2017/growing-demand-for-diagnostics-
singapores-healthcare.html?
utm_source=EDBcorp_featured&utm_medium=click&utm_campaign=EDBcorp_R
edirect
Generally, the economy in Singapore has a very good reputation. Its strong growth has
earned the small country the nickname “Asian tiger”. However, since the economy of
Singapore is dependent on exports, it has been affected by the slowdown of the
manufacturing sector. Read more in our expat guide.

 What Singapore lacks in natural resources, it makes up for in terms of location.

Natural deep-water ports and shipping routes make trade a key part of the
economy alongside manufacturing and the service industry. 
 The future of manufacturing in Singapore is aerospace, precision engineering,
and the life sciences, particularly bio-technology.
 Singapore strongly believes in free trade, and in 2015 became the first ASEAN
country to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union.
  Despite a peak in GDP in 2014, growth has been declining over the last six years
to around 2% p.a. However, inflation is now under control and economists
predict a 3% annual growth in GDP by 2018. 

Making the Most of Geography

As far as the economy of Singapore is concerned, the tiny state has made the best of
some unfavorable conditions. Singapore has a small surface area of around 700 km². It
lacks both arable land and natural resources, like fuels, metals, or minerals. It’s hardly
surprising that only 1.3% of the labor force is employed in agriculture, and the primary
sector doesn’t make a significant contribution to the GDP.

However, Singapore has one distinct economic advantage: the location. The 190
kilometers of coastline feature natural deep-water ports, and the island is situated
along important shipping routes in Southeast Asia too. Trade and commerce are key
parts of the economy. The government has also invested in education for decades.
Human capital and a skilled workforce contribute to the prosperous economy in
Singapore.

The Future of Manufacturing

As mentioned above, the primary sector barely plays a role in the Singaporean
economy. There is an agribusiness park where some foodstuffs are produced, and other
agricultural products include orchids for horticulture or ornamental fish.

The manufacturing sector is much more significant. About 20% of Singapore’s GDP
comes from industry, and the secondary sector employs 15% of the workforce. The
petrochemical industry in particular is very important for the local economy; the
country imports a lot of crude oil for refined petroleum products.

Singapore places great emphasis on high-end manufacturing including semi-conductors

and consumer electronics, as well as machinery, transport equipment, and ships. The
government is also trying to foster future growth sectors such as aerospace, precision
engineering, and the life sciences including bio technology, medical equipment, and
pharmaceutics. There is a huge overlap with the service industry, which caters to
medical tourists and the needs of an aging population.

Breaking Free Trade Boundaries

Singapore’s business-friendly environment has not only encouraged investment in

manufacturing; the service sector drives the economy. It provides jobs to 80% of
workers, and creates over 75% of the gross domestic product.

Trade, shipping, and logistics are essential industries. The Port of Singapore is the one
of the busiest cargo ports in the world: the country has a flourishing import/export
trade with China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia,
and the US.

In general, the Singaporean government favors globalization and free trade. Import
tariffs are low to non-existent, and the tiny state is an active member of NATO, ASEAN,
and other multinational trade organizations. It has entered into many free trade
agreements, and in 2015 became the first ASEAN country to sign a Free Trade
Agreement (FTA) with the European Union.
Banking, finance, and insurance also make up a large part of the economy in Singapore.
There is a reason why the country is sometimes called “the Switzerland of Asia” —
Singapore’s CBD has made a name for itself when it comes to wealth management.

Investing in the Future

Singapore’s pro-trade environment and commitment to free trade have created an easy
and efficient place to do business. Its investment in infrastructure projects and new
industrial parks, and growing reputation as a high-tech research and development hub
provides more opportunities for the near future.

As well as being a good place for business, expats have long been attracted to the city-
state for its safe environment and high standard of living. There are, however,
pronounced financial inequalities among the Singaporean population.

The Aftermath of Recession

Singapore has had to cope with increasing competition from regional emerging markets
and the demographic challenge of an aging society. Above all, its reliance on exports has
proved to be a burden in times of global economic uncertainty. Both in 2001 and 2009,
the economy of Singapore contracted by 1-2% after the worldwide financial crisis.

While the economy bounced back each time — it grew by nearly 15% in 2010 —
growth has declined over the past six years.  The GDP peaked in 2014, but has now
slowed to a growth of about 2% a year. Economists, however, are cautiously optimistic,
predicting a 3% annual growth in GDP by 2018. 

In the immediate aftermath of the recession, Singapore struggled with high inflation
rates. From over 5% in 2011, they have now managed to reduce this to just 1% in 2016.
Unemployment rates have remained mostly stable since 2007, averaging at 2%.

If you’d like to know more about working in Singapore, have a look at our guides to
the job market and doing in business in Singapore.

http://www.study.kz/1/8/323/obrazovanie-v-singapure
The educational system of Singapore, founded only at the beginning of the last century,
was carefully studied, carefully and carefully studied and adjusted by decades for the
country's most experienced and practical minds. Education in Singapore is understood
not as we have - academic achievement, assessments, academic achievement in
academic disciplines, certificates, diplomas. Education in Singapore implies the
harmonious education of man - the totality of his moral, intellectual, physical, social and
aesthetic development.
With the advent of globalization and the knowledge-based economy, economic
progress and success no longer depend on natural resources, the size of the country or
its location, but rather on its ability to multiply wealth by applying knowledge, ideas
and innovations. And it is education that enables countries to raise the level of
knowledge, innovation and creativity. Since a new style of thinking is needed to create a
science-intensive economy, in Singapore it was decided to create a new system of
admission to universities that would allow students to be selected who, in addition to
knowing the content of a particular subject, would be able to substantiate their
conclusions, think logically, be inventive and creative people .
Such a system of reception makes teaching more effective, encourages flexibility,
initiative and creativity in schools. Characteristic features of Singapore's secondary
school are:
1. bilingualism - in all schools in Singapore teaching is conducted in two languages -
English and Chinese (emphasis is on English as the language of international
communication, Chinese is being studied - to know and understand their cultural roots
and cultural heritage of their homeland);
2. Since Singapore is a multinational and multilingual state; for the sake of its
prosperity in society, tolerant and benevolent attitude to the belonging of people and
children to different nationalities and religions is accepted;
3. the priority areas of education are not humanities, but technical, natural sciences and
mathematics;
4. the principle of separating children into streams according to their ability to study
and training the flows according to their respective levels;
5. every child in Singapore from 6 to 16 years, regardless of nationality and religion,
receives a general education - 10 years - in primary school - 6 years and 4 years in high
school.

Singapore, the former British commercial embassy in South-East Asia, has made
significant strides in the economy over the past half-century. A country that does not
have its own natural resources was able to benefit from the location after the departure
of the British, to join the world financial system and now plays a significant role in it.
For decades, developing bilingualism, which allows most residents to speak two
languages - Chinese and English, - the authorities of the country were able to create a
positive image that helps foreign businessmen feel comfortable here. The island thus
became a kind of incubator for interethnic corporations that could recruit labor among
local cadres. Hence the inevitable growth in the requirements for education provided
by national educational institutions. With the increase in the quality of teaching in local
universities, students from other countries were drawn to the island.
Now Singapore is trying to develop three main economic directions - health,
biomedicine and education.
The country aspires to become a global educational center, and its government has
invested millions of dollars in creating a powerful educational network in the South-
East Asia region. The authorities expect to attract by 2012 at least 150 thousand foreign
students who are supposedly to give at least $ 2.2 billion in profits and thus ensure
Singapore's GDP growth by at least 5%.
Education in Singapore is a priority area of social policy. The education system in
Singapore is built on the British principle. Teaching in English. Singapore has created
first-class conditions for obtaining education in English as citizens of the country, and
foreigners.
The advantages of studying in Singapore are the British education system, the
widespread learning in English, a stable economic situation, a multinational culture and
a high quality of life.

Conclusion:
Having researched and discussed a lot of materials on our topic, we came to the
conclusion that Singapore is one of the main examples of Changing cities, which for 25
years has evolved from a simple, poor city that looks like a slum to one of the richest,
ecological cities in the world. It is still evolving and becoming even better and better.
And all thanks to the hero of all Singaporeans, the first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew
who has developed and created a new city and the people that put a lot of effort in its
development, the city of the future. And this city in truth can be called a smart city.