Goethe-Institut - Blog Cityscapes - Entries from August 2011

Wednesday, August 31. 2011

Singapore: The Garden City

It seems highly appropriate that this month's theme concerns green issues. After all, Singapore is widely known - at the risk of parroting official dogma - as the Garden City, and with good cause.

This has much to do with the fact that, despite our size - a total land area of 778 sq km - , almost half of the island is covered by greenery. This means that there are more than enough parks and gardens for us to roam, picnic, jog, cycle and explore. Even the expressway that leads to the airport is lined with shrubbery and trees, meaning that the first thing visitors get upon arrival is a green eyeful. And of course, there is a government agency that plays a key role in this - NParks, or the National Parks Board. Continue reading "Singapore: The Garden City" »

Posted by

Nicholas Yong

in Singapore at 23:59 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Not recycling... but "Pet Art"

Plastic bottles, perceived not as a packaging material or an entity predetermined for recycling. For the Pet artist Veronika Richterova the bottles are an inspiration- she creates statues, chandeliers, theatre sceneries. Besides, Veronika has an extraordinary collection of over 2000 plastic bottles from all over the world.

Continue reading "Not recycling... but "Pet Art"" »

Posted by

Michaela Danelova

in Prague at 23:59 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

More perennial than grass...

I remember the first time I moved to Auckland, from the rugged South Island. I was amazed by the lush climate and the very different botanical structure and textures this environment gives rise to. Continue reading "More perennial than grass..." »

Posted by

Ri Williamson

in Auckland at 23:59 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

I Dream of Green

A few weeks ago I received an e-mail inviting volunteers to participate in a coastal cleanup of Manila’s most notorious waterway—the Manila Bay. My schedule couldn’t have permitted me to join, but I was with them in spirit; a whirlwind that would sweep all the trash and unsightly establishments that corrupt the glorious history of these waters—informal settlers and titanic malls both included—is all that I would pray for during the thousands of bus trips I’d taken down the coastal road next to the bay, while en route to my hometown. Continue reading "I Dream of Green" »

Posted by

Pia Benosa

in Manila at 19:41 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

It's Not Easy Being Green in Jakarta

Back in 1965, 35 percent of Jakarta was green space. Today, this space has shriveled to a sad 9 percent. Continue reading "It's Not Easy Being Green in Jakarta" »

Posted by

Katrin Figge

in Jakarta at 12:45 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Singapore Green

The meticulous planners of Singapore certainly had trees at the forefront of their mind when they built the city. There are trees everywhere - lining major roads, surrounded by high rise buildings and everywhere in between. Continue reading "Singapore Green" »

Posted by

Ben Siow

in Singapore at 12:16 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Imagine Green in Saigon

Sometimes I imagine Saigon to be a much greener place... but maybe my imagination is not strong enough.

Continue reading "Imagine Green in Saigon" »

Posted by

Christian Berg

in Saigon at 12:00 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Green spot in Hanoi: Of Turtles and weddings

One of the best places to relax in Hanoi is green.

But it doesn’t consist of plants or grass. It consists of water. And the green is probably from an overgrowth of algae. But that doesn’t matter. Hoan Kiem Lake in the city center is still a green oasis, in the truest sense of the word.

The lake isn’t large. If you walk briskly you can go all the way around it in a good half hour. And unlike most places in Hanoi, you can actually do that here: walk. The sidewalk around the lake is free of parked motorcycles, free of street restaurants on the pavement, free of local residents who "just want to put this piece of furniture here for a few minutes". There is space. Continue reading "Green spot in Hanoi: Of Turtles and weddings" »

Posted by

David Frogier de Ponlevoy

in Hanoi at 06:15 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Tuesday, August 30. 2011

Sydney: The veggie patch is back in fashion!

A cockatoo on the deck overlooking my (extensive) backyard

Greenery isn't something Sydneysiders are short of.

But amidst the numerous national parks, an interesting aspect of Sydney's garden is a move toward more sustainable living.

For this month's topic blogger Jennifer Lush reflects on how the humble veggie patch is once again a la mode.

Music: "Country Gardens" (A popular folk tune every Australian primary school band learns how to play!)

Read More:
Pittwater Community Gardens
Landshare Australia

Posted by

Jennifer Lush

in Sydney at 11:50 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Ha Noi: Thirsty for green

By My Hang

Beside a Ha Noi of building sides, there is another Ha Noi, in which plants can grow up in every small empty angle of houses and streets.

Mosses with a wet color on old brick walls.

Wild bushes calling wild bees and birds on roofs.

A pot of onion trees looking so fresh in a smoky kitchen.

There are so many ways trees can chose to survive in such a cramped and crowded city like Ha Noi. Continue reading "Ha Noi: Thirsty for green " »

Posted by

Tran My Hang

in Hanoi at 09:59 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Keeping the Greens Growing - Auckland

Born in 1981 the Kelmarna Gardens is a small slice of farm land in the built up city of Auckland. Providing organic fruit and vegetables to the surrounding community (in the past offering boxes of freshly delivered produce to your door) it also runs educational programs for groups and schools but most notably runs a program for mental health clients.

Continue reading "Keeping the Greens Growing - Auckland" »

Posted by

Jonathan Brooking

in Auckland at 05:03 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Sunday, August 28. 2011

Auckland: taking back the jungle concrete stole

The Karangahape Garden Facebook page is here if you want to find out more. Members are growing!

"Slug Song" - The Clean
Sahar Lone

Posted by

Sahar Lone

in Auckland at 11:54 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Kuala Lumpur - where is our green?

Munira Rohaizan

Continue reading "Kuala Lumpur - where is our green?" »

Posted by

Shooting Stars

in Kuala Lumpur at 09:21 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Kuala Lumpur - Where's our green?

Are we ‘green’ in Kuala Lumpur? What is the meaning of ‘green’ in KL?

From a plane that approaches the runway of KL International Airport, some 50 km away from the city centre, I can see green, endless green. Those are our precious oil palm plantations that stretch for miles and miles into the horizon. This is not as visible from the ground. But along the highway into the city, I can also see some green on both sides of the road. Green is basically everywhere. Continue reading "Kuala Lumpur - Where's our green?" »

Posted by

Shooting Stars

in Kuala Lumpur at 08:04 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)