Feeling the stress in Singapore?

"Singapore, one of the world's richest cities, has a land area of just 710 square kilometres (274 square miles) but until recent years, it had avoided the congested feeling of places like Hong Kong and Tokyo.

"Widely acclaimed as one of the world's most "liveable" cities, Singapore is now experiencing urban growth woes as it moves to expand its population to 6.5 million in 20 years, up 30 percent from the current level of five million."

Some facts:

1.  Tourist arrivals surpassed the one million mark in a single month for the first time in July 2010.

2.  Despite increased train frequency during peak demand periods, trains were more cramped than before.

3.  As of July, there were 936,311 vehicles plying the roads of Singapore, with cars accounting for 61.5 percent of the total, compared to 755,000 vehicles just five years ago.

4.  Demand for homes in Singapore's public housing blocks, where 80 percent of the population reside, is also straining supply. Foreigners who enjoy permanent residency and are eligible to purchase public housing totalled 533,000 in 2009, a 37.8 percent increase from 2005.

Read the full article here.
Singapore shows signs of urban stress.
AFP, Wednesday, 25 August 2010.