KOREA FOUNDATION

Following the recognition of its considerable cultural value as a remnant of the colonial period, the Singapore Botanic Gardens became the third of its kind to be recognized by UNESCO, following London’s Kew Botanic Gardens, which provided the initial seedlings for the Singapore location. It also became the world’s first tropical climate garden to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The garden itself was created during the 19th century under British colonial rule, and mirroring Singapore’s development into a modern-day economic powerhouse following its independence, it too evolved over the years. Home to a vast collection of approximately 10,000 kinds of vegetation and rare breeds of orchid, Singapore Botanic Gardens pioneered the research and popularization of the cultivation of the rubber tree, which swiftly rose to become one of the world’s primary commodities in the early 20th century; thus, fueling the rubber market boom in Southeast Asia. Following the country’s independence, the garden was responsible for all matters pertaining to the construction of the nation-state, as well as playing the pivotal role in the selection and cultivation of the vegetation required in transforming the entire city landscape into a natural green zone. This fell perfectly in line with the ‘Garden City’ vision, introduced by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who vowed to transform Singapore into an oasis of Southeast Asia. It should be no surprise that the hybrid orchid and national flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim, was actually cultivated on these very garden grounds. Mirroring the biological diversity of the gardens, Prime Minister Lee underlined the importance of multiculturalism in promoting harmony and coexistence between the numerous ethnic groups that call Singapore home, including Chinese, Malay, and Indian, to name a few.

The gardens also function as a key central hub of leisure and relaxation, as the elderly practice yoga and tai chi, younger generations enjoy walks and jogging, and families and couples gather together for picnics. On weekends the gardens serve as hosting grounds for wedding ceremonies, beautiful and melodic orchestra performances, and other colorful events. Singapore is a city-state with a strong sense of history, and the Singapore Botanic Gardens represent a haven of memories and a pillar of Singaporean identity amid the rapidly transforming city landscape. With an estimated four million annual visitors, Singaporeans and foreign guests alike have come to love the natural atmosphere of the gardens. Rich with a plethora of tropical vegetation, it additionally serves as a harmonious compromise between past and present while embodying Singapore’s trademark ethnic diversity and harmony. 

Dr. Si-yeon Rim (Korean National Commission for UNESCO)