At the end of 2024, I was fortunate to receive a scholarship through the Asia New Zealand Foundation to visit Singapore to observe and gather insights relevant to our work in sport and physical activity. I travelled to Singapore from Sunday 5^th October and returned to New Zealand Saturday 18^th October.

Singapore is often described as one of the most active cities in the world. From parks and playgrounds to rooftop gyms, movement is everywhere. During my recent visit, I wanted to understand what makes this island nation so active and what lessons we might take home to encourage more young people to move.

One of Singapore’s biggest advantages is its tropical climate. With warm temperatures all year round, there’s no winter season to slow people down. Residents can walk, cycle, or do yoga in the park any day of the year. That consistency has shaped a culture where being outdoors is simply part of life. Early morning joggers fill the footpaths, tai chi groups gather in neighbourhood courtyards, and families spend weekends at local green spaces or parks. Movement here isn’t an event or task it feels as though it is a way of life through daily living.

Singapore’s design as a “City in a Garden” also plays a major role. The abundance of greenery, shaded walkways, and scenic parks gives people beautiful, welcoming spaces to move. The city’s green buildings go further, turning rooftops into running tracks, open-air gyms, and sky gardens. It’s a powerful reminder that design can invite people to be active without them even realising it. Interestingly, this approach has made the city up to two or three degrees cooler than other large cities with similar climates, showing that sustainability and activity can work hand in hand.

At the centre of Singapore’s movement culture is Sport Singapore and its national initiative, ActiveSG. Their philosophy is simple: sport and movement shouldn’t be just for athletes, it is for everyone, every day. ActiveSG provides affordable access to gyms, pools, and programmes nationwide, with most centres costing just $1.50 for residents and several aquatic facilities free or low cost. Nearly every Singaporean now lives within a ten-minute walk of a sport or recreation facility.

The impact goes beyond facilities. ActiveSG creates a sense of community through outdoor classes, park workouts, and pop-up health events in shopping malls. It’s not just about fitness; it’s about connection and belonging. Their SportCares programmes reach thousands including 2,000 at-risk youth, 3,000 seniors, and 1,000 disabled youth. Offering free opportunities to be active and engaged through sport. It’s sport as a social connector, not just a physical outlet.

All of this aligns with Vision 2030: Live Better Through Sport, Singapore’s national plan to build a healthier, more resilient society. Youth participation is a major focus in Singapore, with schools promoting daily physical activity and ActiveSG Academies giving children opportunities to learn new sports. However, there is also significant pressure on young people due to high academic expectations. Students often face long hours of study, tuition, and exam preparation, which can make it challenging to find time or energy for sport. Despite this, Singapore works to ensure that activity is part of daily life, aiming to build habits early so that youth can experience the physical, social, and mental benefits of movement alongside their education.

Accessibility and inclusion are also built into the city’s design. Barrier-free walkways, ramps, lifts, and well-maintained parks ensure seniors and people with disabilities can stay active and connected. Safety and cleanliness are priorities, well-lit paths, clean public toilets, and secure spaces make being outdoors feel comfortable and safe. 

Of course, no system is perfect. Like anywhere else, technology is one of the biggest barriers. Smartphones, gaming, and streaming can easily replace movement. The fast-paced work culture also limits time for sport, while smoking and urban stress can chip away at health and motivation. Even the tropical climate, while an advantage, brings challenges, humidity can make exercise uncomfortable and potentially unsafe without proper hydration or shade.

Yet Singapore continues to adapt. New Active Health Hubs, digital fitness tools, and the expanding park connector network are helping people move more easily and safely. The city keeps finding new ways to make movement part of modern life, not as an obligation, but as a shared value.

For me, the visit reinforced that an active city doesn’t happen by chance. It’s designed, supported, and sustained by community belief. Singapore shows that when you make activity accessible, affordable, and inclusive, people respond. It’s a model that offers plenty of inspiration, and challenge, for how we might shape more active, connected communities here in Hawke’s Bay.

It is interesting to compare some key data between New Zealand and Singapore to better understand how participation takes place in the two countries.

For more information on the Asia New Foundation, please click here

Article added: Tuesday 25 November 2025