I recently moved out of my hotel room in Chinatown, and into a shared flat in a place called Senkang. Senkang is a recently developing, planned community being constructed by the government of Singapore. Although a “New Town” and transit-oriented development (TOD), I call the area an “urb-burb” because: 1) it is located about as far as possible outside of Singapore’s central business district [second to last subway stop on the Purple Line] and 2) in a place decidedly more “urban” [in terms of density] than most American suburban locations this far from downtown.
Consider my new neighborhood's "WalkScore" rating of 50 out of 100: (http://www.walkscore.com/score/301D-anchorvale-drive-singapore). "This address is Somewhat Walkable — some errands can be accomplished on foot. Walk to coffee nearby at Anchorvale 303 and to the grocery store at Seng Seng Chiang Chop. Local restaurants inside the Compass Point Shopping Mall include McDonald's, Sakae Sushi, Burger King, Soup Restaurant, Subway, Pizza Hut, Icing Room, and KFC. Close by schools include Nan Chiau High School." In other words... dense suburbs.
Consider my new neighborhood's "WalkScore" rating of 50 out of 100: (http://www.walkscore.com/score/301D-anchorvale-drive-singapore). "This address is Somewhat Walkable — some errands can be accomplished on foot. Walk to coffee nearby at Anchorvale 303 and to the grocery store at Seng Seng Chiang Chop. Local restaurants inside the Compass Point Shopping Mall include McDonald's, Sakae Sushi, Burger King, Soup Restaurant, Subway, Pizza Hut, Icing Room, and KFC. Close by schools include Nan Chiau High School." In other words... dense suburbs.
Compare this to my old neighborhood - Cully in NE Portland, which I thought was pretty suburban - it earns a Walk Score of 55 out of 100 (http://www.walkscore.com/score/ne-57th-ave-and-ne-emerson-st-portland-or-97218). "This address is Somewhat Walkable so some amenities near Northeast 57th Avenue & Northeast Emerson Street are within walking distance. Walk to coffee nearby at Miss Zumstein Bakery, Coffee Shop, Cakes & Desserts and to the grocery store at Angel Food & Fun. Local restaurants include Era's Tiny Dinner, Old School BBQ, Taqueria Delicias Mexicanas, Prescott Cafe, Sugar Shack, A Little Bit of Smoke, Sub Shop, and Old Salt Marketplace. Close by schools include Trinity Lutheran School."
Cully also gets a decent BikeScore - with my old street getting an 84 out of 100, or "Very Bike-able" (http://www.walkscore.com/OR/Portland/Cully#bikescore). Senkang does not yet have a "BikeScore" but most folks I see pedaling two-wheelers are riding on the sidewalk.
There is much good news about my move: I get along well with my flat-mates (Karaoke, anyone?), I can use the kitchen (it is common practice here to bar “room renters” from kitchen use - cruel, I know…), my room is affordable by Singapore standards (S$800/month), has been recently updated (new furnishings, paint, air conditioning, appliances, etc.), and is a short walk to a frequent service, high-capacity rail transit station (which, in 25 minutes, whisks me directly to a station a short walk from my place of employment). The area immediately surrounding the station does serve most of my daily needs, since it includes a variety of restaurants, markets, retail, and health services.
If only the block faces were not 800 feet long... and those elevated pedestrian crossings make my urban design sensibilities squirm!
Cully also gets a decent BikeScore - with my old street getting an 84 out of 100, or "Very Bike-able" (http://www.walkscore.com/OR/Portland/Cully#bikescore). Senkang does not yet have a "BikeScore" but most folks I see pedaling two-wheelers are riding on the sidewalk.
There is much good news about my move: I get along well with my flat-mates (Karaoke, anyone?), I can use the kitchen (it is common practice here to bar “room renters” from kitchen use - cruel, I know…), my room is affordable by Singapore standards (S$800/month), has been recently updated (new furnishings, paint, air conditioning, appliances, etc.), and is a short walk to a frequent service, high-capacity rail transit station (which, in 25 minutes, whisks me directly to a station a short walk from my place of employment). The area immediately surrounding the station does serve most of my daily needs, since it includes a variety of restaurants, markets, retail, and health services.
If only the block faces were not 800 feet long... and those elevated pedestrian crossings make my urban design sensibilities squirm!