[30 January 2002]
Singapore Management University Launches Green Initiative To Preserve Parkland at City Campus Site

The Singapore Management University (SMU) will be conducting a tree transplanting and replanting exercise before site works for its city campus begins in March 2002. SMU has incorporated this exercise as a vital part of the larger landscape masterplan, in a concerted effort to preserve the hallmark greenery of the Bras Basah area.

The tree transplanting exercise will entail the careful uprooting and replanting of several mature trees in found within Bras Basah park, more specifically, 11 numbers of the Samanea saman raintree and five Tabebuis pentaphylia "Rosea" trees. The tree-transplanting exercise is estimated to last one month, beginning early February 2002. The exercise will consist of first trenching around the tree base and then excavation for the trees to be placed into purpose-built containers at the contracted plant nursery. The transplanted trees will be maintained at the nursery for the duration of construction and will be replanted after the construction of SMU university buildings and Land Transport Authority (LTA) road realignment developments are completed.

In addition to the tree transplanting exercise, SMU's "green" effort includes preserving most of the existing trees at the perimeter of the campus site, and replanting mature trees within the site after the construction of the campus buildings. The 70-year-old Bodhi tree which currently sits in the heart of the parkland, will be preserved and form the focus point around which the campus will be built. The campus masterplan has been specially designed to result in more trees and usable park space after completion of the campus, than the current Bras Basah site.