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Urban indicators plays an important role in the planning and sustainable development of the cities. This paper presents a methodology to determine the favorability index for development of Singapore based on land cover. The ‘City Index’ of Singapore was calculated using five indicators – Social, Environmental, Industrialization, Economic, and Naturality. Two indices ‘Environmental Capacity of Development’ and ‘Land Restriction’ were used as correction factors in the Singapore favorability index for development determination. The analysis of indicators and final index were carried out based on the land cover of Singapore in 2014 and in 2030 projection. A high favorability index was observed in the central and northwestern sides, in Pulau Tekong and Pulau Ubin ‘Environmental Capacity of Development’ factor is related to the significant importance in the natural territories and in the reclamation areas. Hence the central, North-West and surrounding islands registered higher values (close to 1) of the “Environmental Capacity of Development”. The high values of the ‘Land Restriction’ factor indicating many infrastructures and special use areas spread over the Singapore Island. On the other hand, the moderate values of the ‘Land Restriction’ factor are observed in few locations from North, South, central and northeastern islands of Singapore. The ‘Favorability index for development of Singapore’ depicts the central and northwestern sides together with the Tekong and Pulau Ubin as high favourable areas. The southern part of Singapore, near the coastline and the eastern extremity are predicted to be favourable areas in the future due to new reclamation lands extensions. The approach presented in this paper is indispensable tool for the Singapore urban decisions and future planning. Moreover, the methodology is useful and it can be adapted for large cities or metropolitan areas of capitals.
Key-words: City development, Development indicators, Land covers analysis, Naturality, Singapore.
