Underground Singapore

Perhaps the next step for Singapore after land reclamation is building a subterranean city, building downwards instead of only upwards. As it is, Singapore already has an extensive network of underpasses, with underground malls and walkways. Combined with the MRT network, one could conceivably not see daylight for days, luxuriating in the many air-conditioned tunnels connecting shopping centres with access to work, food, shops and rest.

Orchard Road underground map and network 

There are extensive underpasses between Orchard Road shopping centres like Ion Orchard, Shaw House, Tang Plaza, Wisma Atria and Ngee Ann City covering hundreds of shops, and they are used daily by thousands of people to avoid the sweltering heat and intermittent thunderstorms outside.

Left: escalators to Scotts Road (c); top: escalators of Ion Orchard (c);
bottom: Orchard Central to Centrepoint underpass (c); right: underpass to Tang Plaza (c)

City Hall underground map and network

Citylink Mall, Singapore's first dedicated underground mall, opened in 2000, providing an easy sheltered way for Singaporeans to walk from City Hall MRT station to Suntec City Mall and Marina Square while window shopping at the same time. The underpass to the Esplanade Theatres by the Bay has become a secret haven for breakdancers and other artistes, fostering local talent in an unexpected way. The new Esplanade Circle Line station (Esplanade Xchange) completes the loop, directly linking Suntec City and Raffles City, but don't get distracted or it's all too easy to lose your sense of direction.

Left: An uncharacteristically quiet Citylink Mall, (c); right: bboy showing off his moves in the Esplanade Underpass (c)