
Imagining Cities Built for People
The car-lite city of the future makes space for human needs and experiences that will improve our urban lives.
In order to make our urban environments more liveable and sustainable, many modern cities are moving away from developments centred on car culture. Rather than allowing vehicular infrastructure to dictate the shape of our cities, more emphasis is being placed on providing adequate space for pedestrians, cyclists, public transportation and mobility alternatives that can be used alongside cars.
Limiting the amount of space available for vehicular traffic also creates opportunities for other forms of public land uses, such as shared amenities and open parks, while preserving smaller urban footprints that create more character for our streets.
As urban development around cars becomes less important, the attention can be shifted to other aspects of the city that will prioritise our human experiences.
MORE COHERENT CONNECTIVITY
With less reliance on motor vehicles, the city can focus on other modes of transportation that will make places more accessible to everyone. More destinations can be made to be within easy reach with coherent overall interconnectivity between public transport, walking, cycling and other lighter modes of personal mobility.
This shift not only makes the city more inclusive, but also encourages people to use alternative modes of transportation for personal trips, thereby further reducing our reliance on cars.
MORE SPACE FOR REWILDING
“Rewilding” is a progressive approach to restoring our landscapes by working elements of nature back into land and sea. In urban design, it is part of an emerging biophilic urbanism that promotes human and nature connectedness in urban spaces to boost the quality of urban life. A car-lite city would make more room for rewilding our urban spaces.
For a land-scarce city like Singapore that lacks large land parcels for rural rewilding, working nature back into the landscape would involve the creative incorporation of natural elements into the places that we build. This means that nature is reintroduced on buildings and into pockets of spaces between developments. In turn, natural elements and greenery help to soften the imposing stature of buildings from the street level.
If nature is given the time to do its magical work, it’s incredibly inspiring to imagine a densely populated urban city capable of wild and restorative nature.
MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HUMAN EXPERIENCES
Principles of a car-lite city are intricately interwoven with human-centred architecture, which puts humans at the centre of the design process and optimises positive interactions between people and the urban environment. The idea is to create user-friendly spaces that also enhance social interactions between humans. This is achieved by identifying basic behaviours and needs to understand how people use spaces.
Through this lens, tools for navigating urban life, such as cars and technology, are then seen as enablers of quality urban life, rather than drivers of urban development.

The seamlessly integrated connectivity in Guoco Midtown prioritises pedestrianised and alternative modes of mobility.
THE LIVEABLE FUTURE CITY
Envisioned as a liveable and sustainable City of the Future, these are the ways in which Guoco Midtown embodies principles of car-lite, city-in-nature, and human-centred design.
Live and Work Connectivity
Within Guoco Midtown, people will get to live where they work. Midtown Modern provides garden home sanctuaries that are just a short walk from Guoco Midtown’s integrated offices and retail components. And it will all take place in this epicentre in the heart of the city that will connect neighbouring communities through a series of access networks.
Thematic Gardens
Collectively spanning 3.8 hectares (on a 3.2 hectare of prime land), Guoco Midtown Gardens is a collection of thirty thematic gardens and landscaped spaces that can be enjoyed throughout development. A third of these gardens will be open to the public, allowing for opportunities for community interactions.
Community Market
From Midtown Market to the Forest Giants Walk and Eucalyptus Plaza, these are among the abundant pockets of public spaces and internal streets in Guoco Midtown that are designed for people. Eucalyptus Plaza, in particular, is a rest spot for pedestrians and cyclists. On weekends, the lushly landscaped Midtown Market will also transform outdoor dining and hangout areas into a bustling market and cultural event space to bring the community together.
Seamless Transportation Node
Residents and occupants of Guoco Midtown will benefit from overall integrated connectivity that is supported by an MRT interchange and sheltered walkability. Nestled in the City Hall micromarket, Guoco Midtown also connects to key developments in the City Hall, Bugis and Marina Centre districts through an underground, ground level and elevated pedestrian network.

Guoco Midtown, when built, will provide a vibrant space for the community in the Beach Road district.
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