Biologist Lena Chan, director of National Biodiversity Centre of National Park Board, says that “Without green infrastructure, you can’t have biodiversity conservation.” This is why one of the most important roles that urban parks play is the conservation of biodiversity.  Singapore, despite our small land mass, contains varied biodiversity like 360 species of birds and therefore, in the recent years, Singapore has been putting in a lot of effort in biodiversity conservation. Singapore, being listed as one of the biophilic cities alongside with New York, Chicago and many others, has been actively introducing flora and fauna in the city and also educational programs to the public for the conservation of biodiversity. Urban parks provide the platform for such efforts to be pulled through.

Singapore has a high level of biodiversity, comprising 1,006 species of fungi, 2,697 species of plants, 364 species of birds, 451 species of crabs and shrimps, 935 species of insects, and 150 species. With this statistics, it very important to conserve their homes. One of the early movements initiated by Parks and Recreation Development was the planting of tall trees, flowering and fruit plants in parks for the enhancement of bird life. Another research on dragonflies and damselflies, it has been recorded that there are up to 18 species of damselflies found in Toa Payoh Town Park and 2 species of dragonflies in Bishan Town Park. Such results have proved to NParks that it is possible to create habitat (in terms of urban parks) in order to conserve biodiversity.

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Chan also adds “You can have biodiversity in urban areas, by balancing development with conservation and doing conservation innovatively.” This, therefore, supports the uprise of innovative urban park.