Problem overview:
Awareness and visions: The former Prime Minister of Singapore Mr. Lee Kuan Yew has shown that the visionary of a leader and his determination is extremely important in leading the country towards sustainable development.
Background in summary:
Proactive movements under the governance of Prime Minister Lee: Himself a lawyer, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew knows the importance of effective law enforcement and rigorous administrative system. Under his leadership, the Government has been proactive in developing high standards of public health and a quality environment with clean air, clean land, clean water and also a control on noise pollution.
Policies for environmental management:
- In 1968 as we noted in Singapore: Garden City to Model Green City, a clean and green city was declared as the goal of the government.
- His policy was consistent in subsequent years in creating a Garden City with a clean and green environment.
- In April 1970, an Anti-Pollution Unit was established in the Prime Minister's Office.
- Mr. Lee Kuan Yew also took a personal interest in the cleaning-up of the Singapore and Kallang River basins (See Clean up of the Singapore River and Kallang Basin).
- As Prime Minister he also set the example of creating a corruption-free society, so important for effective administration and enforcement.
In his political leadership, we see a sustained, long-term view of policies. We also see a nurturing of a second echelon leadership during his term of office.
See document in full
Good practice rating:
(1 for the best, 5 for the lowest score) |
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Sustainability
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Efficiency
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| 2 |
 Improvement in either the environment of economic condition with no harm to the other. |
2 |
Cost efficient. |
| 2 |
Sustainable over time (not one-off) |
Process |
| Adaptability |
- |
Participation of the community |
| 1 |
Location adaptability (can the project be done in other places?) |
- |
Participation of resource owners/users |
| 2 |
Socio-cultural adaptability. |
- |
Partnerships between various actors (Governments, NGO, Academia, Private) |
| 2 |
Level of development adaptability. |
- |
Degree of coordination and cooperation between government departments. |
| 1 |
Style of government adaptability. |
- |
Ability to attract political interest/support |
| 3 |
Degree of decentralization adaptability. |
- |
Procedures for feedback and review. |
Comments on this example:
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Sustainability of the project:
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Awareness and visions: If the former Prime Minister was not Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, there might be a possibility that Singapore would not be as beautiful as it is today. Since a countrys leading policy, depends much on what the leader of the country gives importance to, and fortunately for Singapore, Mr. Lee, gave much emphasis on improving the environmental condition of the country. If other countries were to take Singapore as an example, then the most important factor to follow, is the determination of the leader in making the changes.
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Adaptability of the project to other situations:
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Style of Government adaptability: In terms adaptability, the governance style of Singapores Prime Minister Mr. Lee Kuan Yew is very specific to this particular case and/or country. However, it is not impossible for other country leaders to adopt the style of Mr. Lee but that other country leaders do have their own priorities and focal policies and that might not be to improve the aesthetic value of the city.
Location adaptability: Location adaptability is also difficult for other countries to apply the same technique because Singapore is a very small country therefore in terms of coverage area that needed improvement, Singapore has the advantage to other cities/countries.
Socio-cultural adaptability: The socio-economic situation of Singapore is much more different from the other countries in the region and a direct comparison or duplication may not be possible.
| Process of decision making and implementation: |
Framework for coordination: Leadership plays an important in a countrys development process and even more importantly in environmental concerns when rapid development is taking place. The establishment of an anti pollution unit in the Prime Ministers office is an important feature, as it means action at highest level and there is much enthusiasm among all to abide to the work of the unit.
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Documentation: |
Literature or other written project review references
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Source of Information: |
Prime Minister's Office
Istana Annexe, Istana
Singapore 238823
Tel: 8356218
Fax: 7345244
Website http://www.gov.sg/pmo/
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Contacts: |
Singapores Prime Ministers Office
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Submitted by: |
Koh Kheng Lian, Director
Asia-pacific Centre for Environmental Law, Law Faculty
National University of Singapore
Singapore
Fax: (65) 872-1937, 779-0979
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