New GreenSpace+ at Bedok to provide sustainability themed programmes and workshops

Slated to open progressively from April 2023, the new GreenSpace+ initiative will provide residents with community kitchens with food rescue programmes, new allotment gardening spaces and outdoor classrooms for children.

Located at Bedok North Avenue 3, the green hub was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat at the East Coast Green Festival 2022 held on Saturday (Nov 19).

GreenSpace+ is developed in collaboration by the East Coast GRC Grassroots Organisations with companies like CPG Corporation, Sun-Ice Energy and ReNew Materials in support of the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and East Coast Sustainability and Green Plan 2030.

The collaboration allows the space to be built sustainably, which plays a part in reaching Singapore’s green targets of net-zero emissions.

The green hub will also serve as a sandbox for residents and community groups to drive the development of green ideas and solutions. 

Depending on their interest, residents can also take part in a volunteering programme with four different tracks. 

The programme allows them to promote awareness on sustainability issues, conduct workshops and cultivate plants, create their own bite-sized content to involve the community or start their own eco-programmes.

To offer residents a glimpse of what activities the GreenSpace+ can host, the annual East Coast Green Festival 2022 was held on Nov 19 and 20. 

Highlights of the festival included 100 eco-conscious booths, projects by education institutions such as SUSS, ITE and NTU in custom-made containers and several environmental workshops like upcycling and craft making.

NUS also came up with several project proposals to address various problems in Bedok Town, such as the lack of infrastructure to foster a sense of identity and inclusivity among the younger generation.

One of the suggestions made to resolve the issue was implementing a Live Work Play solution, which would see new facilities such as fitness corners, community gardens and gym pods built between HDB blocks.

GreenSpace+ aims to eventually engage over 16,000 residents through their programmes.

These targets will be achieved through 14 sustainability programmes such as the DIY Upcycled Makerspace, Infusing Hawker with Plant-Based Food programmes, and the Smart Sustainability Data Hackathon programmes.