Morphological and Physiological Analysis of Urban Environment

In the case of planning for urban sustainability, environment mostly has been the neglected one. However, one of the main tasks of an urban planner is to plan for sustainable planning urban form. And this planning decision should be sufficiently supported by a depth analysis of the environmental performance of an existing urban environment. This thesis has encompassed therefore an effort to analyze the environmental performance of Bukit Panjang new town from its morphological and physiological points of view using a set of indicators for each characteristic. Plot ratio as building density, degree of subdivision, urban granular index and level of accessibility are chosen as morphological indicators and on the other hand material intensity in the form of construction material stocks for building and electricity use per unit area of various building typologies have been used as physiological indicators. Various indicators are discussed with respect to prevailing conditions of Singapore and recommending proposals are finally made based on the discussions to reduce the effect of various adverse environmental effects like ‘urban heat island’ and ‘green house effect’.