Singapore has brought the memory of a vanished 1920s landmark into one of its newest housing estates, but the new Alkaff Lake is doing much more than recreating a piece of the past. Built inside Bidadari Park, the 1.8-hectare lake was inspired by the former Alkaff Gardens, which opened to the public in 1929. Today, it doubles as a stormwater retention pond designed to reduce flood risk while also serving as a recreational and natural space for residents. During heavy rain, the lake can hold up to 40,000 cubic metres of water, roughly the equivalent of 16 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Its wetlands, swales and surrounding greenery also help cleanse stormwater and provide a habitat and stopover area for wildlife.
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