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Cars may go out of fashion in S'pore, says Khaw Boon Wan

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Imagine a Singapore where cars are out of fashion. Where people don't see a need to take driving lessons. Where people choose to walk or cycle.

National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan believes that such a day may soon come.

In a blog post on Tuesday, he wrote: "It seems hard to imagine at the moment, but a day may (soon) come when cars go out of fashion in Singapore. It is already happening in some European cities. Youngsters no longer see a need to take driving lessons, let alone buying a car. People are walking, cycling, taking public transport.

"The occasional car needs can be satisfied more cool-ly, via Uber or Zipcar or many such local ridesharing equivalents."

A whole new world

In this scenario, car parks would become "excessive and redundant", said Mr Khaw.

What would we do with all the parking lots in Singapore?

If you have an answer to that, you may want to take part in Singapore's second annual Park(ing) Day on Friday.

The event, supported by the Urban Redevelopment Authority, will give you the chance to transform car parks into anything you want, from parks to living rooms.

Said Mr Khaw: "The mission is to get everyone to envision a city with fewer cars, and more space for people, for living.​"

So far, there have been 50 registrations from community groups, local businesses and student bodies, Mr Khaw said in his blog.

We like the idea of making the space our own, so here's our suggestion: A super cool water slide like the one in the video below.

 

 

To find out more about the event, click here.

SingaporeCarsPark(ing) DayKhaw Boon Wan