What this lesson teaches
I can explain why a government must plan ahead for change so that its policies keep working.
Syllabus K230, Issue 1, Guiding Question 3, Principles shaping governance. Anticipating change and staying relevant
Make a guess
Singapore's water agreement with Johor ends in 2061. When do you think Singapore should start preparing other water sources?
- Later, because the agreement is likely to be renewed anyway.
- Closer to 2061, once it is clear the agreement will end.
- Decades early, because new sources take years to build.
Show the answer
Decades early, because new sources take years to build.
Singapore began NEWater in 2003 and built desalination plants. Preparing early is cheaper and safer than reacting late.
Good governance prepares early for future needs and updates plans when circumstances change.
Anticipating change means spotting future challenges early enough to prepare. Staying relevant means adapting as needs, technology and conditions change.
Singapore's population is ageing, so it is preparing now. HDB estates are getting more senior-friendly features, and Silver Zones make roads safer for older pedestrians.
Preparing early costs money now for benefits later, and forecasts can be wrong. So plans need regular review. Waiting until a problem is serious usually costs more.
- Anticipating change
- Spotting future challenges and preparing early.
- Staying relevant
- Adapting as needs and conditions change.
- Example
- Silver Zones and senior-friendly estates for an ageing population.
Real examples to use
Four National Taps
Singapore gets water from local catchments, imported water from Johor, NEWater (recycled water, since 2003) and desalination. Building several sources prepares the country for when the Johor water agreement ends in 2061.
Worked example: Getting ready for more older residents
An estate expects many more older residents in the next ten years. During renewal, planners add resting places, ramps and step-free routes.
- The need is predicted, not yet urgent.
- Acting during renewal is cheaper than rebuilding later.
- Planners should still review whether the features are used.
Watch out for this
A plan for the future proves the problem will definitely happen.
Plans are based on forecasts, which can change. That is why they need regular review.
Check your understanding
Why might a government spend money now on a problem expected in ten years?
- Because the problem will happen in the way that experts have already predicted.
- Preparing early is usually cheaper and safer than reacting once the problem is serious.
- Because problems in the future matter more than problems facing people today.
Show the answer
Preparing early is usually cheaper and safer than reacting once the problem is serious.
Right. That is the idea behind anticipating change.
Check your understanding
Why did Singapore develop NEWater and desalination?
- To rely less on imported water before the 1962 water agreement ends in 2061.
- Because local reservoirs have been drying up since the 1990s.
- To sell treated water to Johor and other neighbours at a profit each year.
Show the answer
To rely less on imported water before the 1962 water agreement ends in 2061.
Planning ahead for change is the principle of anticipating change.