The Singapore Pavilion at the Yeosu Expo will showcase how Singapore balances growth and development with environmental sustainability, organizers said.

“Presenting the theme ‘Paradox-ity: City of Contrast,’ a story inspired by the creative contrasts within our island city-state, the visitor journey at the pavilion will begin at the facade and continue through four main galleries,” said Eng Tiang Sing, commissioner for the Singapore Pavilion.

Through the four main content segments ― waste management, nature conservation, urban planning and water management ― “visitors will be captivated through a coordinated display of audio visuals, interactive exhibits and daily live performances which invokes a multi-sensory experience of sight, sound, scent and touch,” he told The Korea Herald.

Visitors will also get to savor signature Singaporean food at the Food and Beverages Kiosk in the Singapore Pavilion.

“From the early days of Singapore’s independence about five decades ago, we were keenly aware that there was a need to balance urbanization and economic development with good environment, lush nature and heritage conservation,” said Eng.

Their theme for the Yeosu Expo, which runs from May 12 to Aug. 12, is the Singapore story ― a story inspired by the contrasts within the island city-state.

“For example, we operate one of the largest offshore landfills in the world but the landfill is also a haven for rich marine biodiversity, flora and fauna,” he said. “We have only 714 square kilometers of land but we have more than 2 million trees. We have no natural water resources but every tap produces drinkable water.”

The Singapore Pavilion will showcase some examples of the environmental infrastructure which their government has invested in.

Once inside, visitors will experience the world’s first-of-its-kind offshore landfill created entirely from sea space.

“They will understand how the landfill is not only clean and free from smell, but is also a green natural environment thriving with rich biodiversity,” Eng said.

Located in the heart of Singapore’s central business district, the upcoming Gardens by the Bay will also be introduced.

Besides Singapore’s clean and green initiatives, the Southeast Asian state has invested heavily in the balance of heritage conservation.

“This helps to attract investment and retain talent, thus supporting economic growth and provides necessary resources to finance environmental infrastructure. For Singapore, it was not about pursuing growth at all costs and cleaning up afterwards,” he said.

To appreciate water as a precious resource, visitors can “harvest rain” by collecting droplets of water using hanji, traditional Korean paper. After, visitors will be invited to pen their well-wishes on the hanji paper and hang it on a wishing wall.

By Yoav Cerralbo (yoav@heraldcorp.com)