Marina Bay Sands: Showing How Mixed-Use Developments Contribute to Economic Growth

Marina Bay Sands. Singapore.

Marina Bay Sands (MBS) is a vibrant mixed use district in Singapore which opened in 2010. It’s the result of the long term plan by the city-state’s Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and their agenda to be innovative and forward-thinking given their limited land and water resources. After gaining independence from the UK, then Malaysia in 1965, the impoverished and crowded former colony transitioned into a free-market powerhouse and a leader in multiculturalism and sustainable growth. Singapore has long used land reclamation to expand its small footprint and to create new fresh water sources. Therefore, the CBD and MBS sit on reclaimed land. The Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort was designed by architect and urban planner, Moshie Safdie. The area is a network of pedestrian thoroughfares and public meeting places ‘inspired by the great Roman cities with strong, spinal organizations that become the focus of civic life’. MBS consists of a 55 story, 3 tower, hotel with a continuous lobby at the base and a continuous Skypark spanning the top. The Skypark famously sits atop the 3 towers cantilevering off the north tower. It includes an infinity pool, restaurants, gardens, and an observation deck. The inspiration for the 3 towers were decks of cards, influenced by the 4 story casino housed inside. The district also includes the iconic lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum, 2 theaters, a convention center/exhibition hall, shopping and dining, 2 floating crystal pavilions, and an outdoor events plaza. The MBS development has been integral to Singapore’s economic and urbanization efforts. With the environmental consequences of land reclamation now well known it will be interesting to see how Singapore works to rebuild its ecosystem while planning for continued growth.