Background
NEWater Programme, Singapore At the time of independence in 1965, the city-state of Singapore was almost completely dependent on outside sources. Dilapidated buildings and squatter sheds in the business hub of the city centre were basically slum colonies and its riverways and canals resembled open sewers. Apart from the downtown core, other areas remained villages, with most of the population living in slums and kampongs without a proper water supply, sanitation or adequate public transport.
In the short term of 20 years, Singapore policy makers moved impressively towards strengthening internal capacities and reducing its reliance on outside sources based on some of the best policy, planning, managerial, governance, education, science and technology focused approaches globally.