In February 2012, Pedro Santa shared a stimulating conversation with formative influences: Timothy Beatley, Peter Newman, and Herbert Dreiseitl. The meeting took place at the newly built Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, and it was a fascinating discussion and meeting of the minds. The conversation also covered how decentralized water-sensitive urban design maximizes co-benefits for society, economy, and ecology.

Timothy Beatley is the author of “Biophilic Cities”, and Peter Newman is the author of “Resilient Cities”. At the same time, Herbert Dreiseitl operates an office in Singapore that focuses on landscape, urban hydrology, and water-sensitive urban design.

The meeting and lunch conversation was also attended by ADA colleague Melissa Yip, and Yun Hye Hwang, Professor at NUS. As a group, we discussed how ABC Waters Projects, like Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park, help restore habitat corridors and biophilia in cities, while delivering climate resiliency to cope with weather extremes of the 21st century.