Having lived in Oxford City as a student for six weeks, and sitting in its beauty and tranquility, my heightened anxiety during commutes when I arrived back in Singapore is now apparent.
I'm someone who generally dislikes stepping outside of home in any circumstance in Singapore, but I've never properly considered urban design to be a contributing factor to the unpleasantness of being in public spaces. I've never given this much thought, blaming the 95% humidity and 36 degree temperatures for my poor mood and feelings of restlessness. What if it's more than just the weather? How exactly do built environments influence our emotions and calmness?
It's not my intention to take for granted the unrivalled city planning and urban design of Singapore which are its keys to modern prosperity. This isn't about which system or city is superior. What I find most interesting is understanding how differences in architecture invokes different sentiments and emotions in people, bearing in mind that individual perceptions of calmness can vary.
These days, I've been thinking about how architectural differences could play a role my disparate sense of inner peace and calm in these two contrasting cities. As I re-settle into the past normalcies of residing in Singapore, I'm increasingly convinced that the calming effect of Oxford's medieval architecture is not just a conjured up notion in my head. Contrarily, I'm more cognisant of certain unintentionally anxiety-inducing features of urban architecture in fast-paced Singapore.
#1 Architectural Harmony
1.1 Architectural Style and Cohesiveness
As I stroll down the street with a Lebanese wrap in hand, it's easy to notice how Oxford's architecture displays a consistent architectural style throughout the city, largely influenced by Gothic, Georgian, and Victorian periods. The cohesiveness of architectural styles has a calming effect, as it creates a sense of order and predictability.
Unlike Oxford's consistent architectural style, Singapore's urban design is characterized by a diverse range of architectural styles. Singapore's cityscape features a blend of modern skyscrapers, futuristic structures, and traditional buildings. It's not uncommon to see two-storey wooden Peranakan shophouses against a backdrop of 20-storey high-rise condominiums. The lack of a uniform architectural style in Singapore creates a dynamic and eclectic visual environment, but it does not evoke the same sense of calming order and predictability found in Oxford.
1.2 Historical Architecture and Timelessness
Oxford is renowned for its historic architecture. Part of the reason why formal dinners in this city feel that much more special is because we strutted --- in heels and dress shoes --- through a harmonious blend of ancient buildings, cobblestone streets, and picturesque courtyards. The sense of timelessness and continuity in the city's architecture can evoke a feeling of stability and peacefulness, allowing one to detach from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Singapore's urban design prioritizes modernization and development, resulting in a landscape where historic buildings are often juxtaposed with contemporary high-rises. Our rapid growth and transformation into a metropolis has led to the preservation of some historic sites like Chijmes cathedral, but the emphasis on modernization does not cultivate the same sense of timelessness and continuity seen in Oxford. The blend of old and new architecture in Singapore symbolises vibrancy and progress but doesn't necessarily evoke the same stability and peacefulness as Oxford's ancient buildings.
#2 Integration of Green Spaces
In many Western cultures, including those in the UK, the appreciation of nature and green spaces is deeply ingrained. Urban planning in Oxford has historically emphasized the preservation of larger meadows and gardens coupled with a more gradual and organic expansion of the city over the course of centuries. Oxfordshire's location in a relatively spacious region of the UK allows for the integration of larger green spaces within and around the city. Port meadow, the home of grazing cows, ponies, geese and rabbits, is a 30-minute walk from my college grounds. The combination of architectural elements and greenery in a continuous fashion creates a visual balance that promotes relaxation away from the city centre.
While Singapore is known for its meticulous urban planning and incorporation of green spaces, parks, and gardens, the integration is approached differently compared to Oxford's continuous blend of architectural elements and greenery. Singapore's most famous green space, Gardens by the Bay, was built in the heart of a central business district (Marina Bay). The rapid urbanization and modern development of Singapore have led to the maximisation of land use availability, resulting in smaller and more compact green areas. These lush pockets of nature provide respite but lack the continuous visual balance and natural integration that Oxford's architectural harmony achieves.
The larger size, natural landscapes, and separation from urban congestion of green spaces in Oxford create a stronger sense of retreat and solace. The contrast with the more densely developed and tightly planned urban environment of Singapore could contribute to the perception that Oxford's green spaces are more calming, serene, and private.
#3 Human scale
the concept of human scale in architecture refers to designs that are proportioned and sized to accommodate the needs and perceptions of human beings
Oxford's buildings are intentionally built to be low-rise (regulated by its high-buildings policy), thus exhibiting a human scale. This contrasts with the towering skyscrapers of contemporary urban environments. The smaller, more intimate scale of the architecture can create a sense of coziness and comfort, making people feel more at ease.
Oxford’s historic college and university buildings will “absolutely not” be damaged despite new plans for “taller” and “continental-style” developments in Oxford. Councillor Alex Hollingsworth.
E.g. 1 anti-modernist buildings
Oxford covered market is housed within a historic building featuring an intricate wrought iron and glass roof. The individual stalls and shops within the market create a sense of intimacy and community, inviting visitors to explore and interact with the vendors.
In the covered market, I chatted with the cashier at Wicked Chocolate, who helped me discover my favourite chocolate brand, Firetree.
E.g. 2 Homey public spaces
During my stay, I spent a considerable amount of time in the residential streets of Jericho, a neighborhood in Oxford.
Jericho is the ideal place for people-watching and deep talks with friends over tea cakes. It was therapeutic to jog through rows of Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses during exercise. There was also a whole foods grocer providing everything I needed.
Jericho was never too crowded or rowdy, and I appreciated the aesthetic of brick facades, bay windows, and front gardens features in Jericho's houses. The smaller scale of these houses contributes to a cozy and homey feel.
Singapore's urban architecture is shaped by the necessity to accommodate a dense population within a limited area, resulting in a vertical and modern design approach.
The city-state faces land scarcity, leading to a focus on vertical urbanization. Skyscrapers and high-rise buildings dominate the skyline, accommodating the needs of a dense population within limited space.
The high population density in Singapore necessitates maximizing land use efficiency. This results in the construction of tall residential, commercial, and mixed-use buildings to accommodate a large number of people in a limited area. Public spaces in Singapore are thus designed to accommodate large numbers of people and often have a utilitarian aspect. The city's modern architecture caters to efficiency in movement and usage.
Conclusion
The calming effect of Oxford's architecture on the mind can be attributed to its historical aesthetics, human scale, integration of green spaces, architectural harmony, pedestrian-friendly layout, historical significance, cultural influence, and minimalist design. These elements collectively create an environment that encourages a sense of tranquility, contemplation, and relaxation, even though the experience of calmness can be a rather subjective one. On the other hand, Singapore's urban design, characterized by high population density, modern high-rise buildings, and optimized land use, may lack a calming effect due to the potential absence of open green spaces and a more intimate, human-scale architectural atmosphere.
Differences in the calming effect of the architecture of Oxford and Singapore can be attributed to a combination of factors that contribute to the overall ambiance and sensory experience of the respective cities. Both cities have well-defined and at times, diametrically opposing architectural styles that should be taken into account when understanding the impacts of architecture on the human psyche. I believe there is so much to be learnt through this comparison between the two cities and it begs the question -- to what extent are we willing to sacrifice heritage/humanism for economic progress, and vice versa?
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