IN 2005 THE GOVERNMENT OF Singapore announced a plan to create new gardens surrounding the waterfront and increase access to green spaces for residents of Singapore so that it would truly become a "city in a garden." Seven years on and one billion Singaporean dollars later this audacious idea has become reality — Gardens by the Bay (www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/ home.html). The striking design of this garden complex has won international acclaim and it has just been named the World Building of theYear 2012 by the World Architecture Festival. The 3 millionth visitor was welcomed in January — only seven months from opening. The success of the gardens with the local people is shown by the fact that there are now lines to visit the gardens' two flower-filled domes, which are one of the few parts of the gardens that carry a modest charge.
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