Bidadari Park in Singapore,
designed by Henning Larsen
Winner of the prestigious ULI Asia Pacific Award for Excellence, Bidadari Park in Singapore is an innovative 13-hectare urban park designed by Danish studio Henning Larsen. The project combines modern water management with nature conservation and the creation of social spaces, exemplifying a modern approach to nature-based urbanism.
An aerial view of Bidadari Park in Singapore.
photo by Finbarr Fallon © Henning Larsen
project assumptions and historical background
Between 2016 and 2024, Henning Larsen transformed the site of the former Bidadari cemetery into a modern public park, an integral part of a new residential development. The commissioners of the project were three public agencies: Housing Development Board, National Parks Board and Public Utilities Board. The park was designed as a "community within a garden," where the needs of residents harmoniously coexist with environmental concerns. This space functions as a biological corridor, a natural water reservoir and a center of local identity.
A public space designed with nature and community in mind
photo by Finbarr Fallon © Henning Larsen
landscape as a system
Bidadari Park is an exemplary example of systemic design, in which the landscape does not play a purely aesthetic role, but becomes a full-fledged component of the urban infrastructure. The centerpiece of the establishment is the 1.8-hectare Alkaff Lake, which not only enriches the spatial composition, but is also a key element of the rainwater management system. Through a network of terraced wetlands, canals, ditches and retention basins, the park collects and filters more than 90 percent of rainwater runoff from the surrounding area. The water is diverted to the lake via a natural watercourse and then circulates in a closed loop, enhancing the ecological resilience of the entire area.
A general view of the diverse vegetation and landscaping at Bidadari Park in Singapore
Photo by Finbarr Fallon © Henning Larsen
In the event of heavy rainfall, a system of ephemeral wetlands is activated to temporarily retain excess water, reducing the risk of flooding while irrigating the surrounding greenery. This solution makes it possible to combine water management with the creation of an attractive biologically active space.
Biodiversity-oriented landscape architecture
Photo by Finbarr Fallon © Henning Larsen
a refuge for nature
The approach to biodiversity is particularly noteworthy. Bidadari Park supports more than 193 species of wildlife, including more than half of all dryland migratory birds in Singapore. It is one of only two remaining forest habitats for birds in this part of the island. Architects and ecologists at Henning Larsen took care to preserve 84 percent of the existing mature trees, supplementing the greenery with more than 170 native plant species. Vegetation was distributed in a zoned manner - passive areas are dominated by natural habitats, while active areas are used for recreational and social functions. The whole creates a coherent structure in which man and nature can coexist without conflict.
Additional ecological elements, such as tree trunks left in decay, piles of stones and wood, or specially designed nesting platforms for birds of prey, enhance the park's natural features and create the microhabitats necessary to maintain ecological balance.
Diagram of the habitat and green space layout in Bidadari Park
Photo by Finbarr Fallon © Henning Larsen
social space
Bidadari is not just a place for wildlife, however. The park was designed with users of all ages in mind - both residents of adjacent neighborhoods and visitors from other parts of the city. Wide boardwalks, viewing terraces and recreational pavilions allow visitors to relax and observe nature. A 100-meter-wide, 19-meter-wide landscape bridge connects two sections of the former forest, serving as a pedestrian walkway and observation point. The family section features nature-inspired playgrounds, including a 5-meter-tall tree house adjacent to a grove. The adventure zone offers solutions tailored for families with children - balance boards, educational paths, sensory elements and spaces for free exploration.
Bidadari Park in Singapore
Photo by Finbarr Fallon © Henning Larsen
heritage and identity of place
Bidadari Park was created on the site of a former cemetery, which clearly determined the way the space was thought about - with respect for the past, but also with a vision for the future. The spatial composition is reminiscent of the former Alkaff Gardens, which was a Japanese-style public garden established by the influential Arab Alkaff family in the 1920s. These gardens, once a popular meeting and recreation spot, were an important part of the pre-war identity of this part of Singapore.
Bidadari Park in Singapore
photo by Finbarr Fallon © Henning Larsen
The park's design also references traditional garden structures present in Asian urban culture - harmonious, multi-layered spaces that combine nature with architectural elements, serving both contemplation and daily community life. The hilly topography, islands of plants, diverse habitats and seamless transitions between zones give the place a unique character. The Samanea saman tree, a living symbol of the park, sits on an island in the middle of the lake, surrounded by lush vegetation that attracts butterflies, birds and pollinators.
Singapore's Bidadari Park was designed with an eye to the future and a respect for history
Photo by Finbarr Fallon © Henning Larsen
regional distinction
Bidadari Park was awarded in May 2025 at the ULI Asia Pacific conference in Hong Kong. The ULI Asia Pacific Award for Excellence (ULI Asia Pacific Award for Excellence) is given to projects that exemplify the integration of social, economic and environmental functions in urban space. In the case of Bidadari, recognition was given to a holistic approach in which hydrological systems, landscape planning and social life form a cohesive, integrated organism.
Bidadari Park in Singapore
photo by Finbarr Fallon © Henning Larsen
a new chapter in urban greenery
Bidadari Park is proof that even in a densely urbanized environment it is possible to create spaces that favor nature and people at the same time. Thoughtful integration of rainwater retention, promotion of biodiversity, clear spatial structure and attractive recreational offer make this park a new standard for the design of green urban infrastructure.
Elaborated: Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of Henning Larsen studio.
