‘Flower Island Project is also for future generations’

The Marianas Visitors Authority’s Flower Island Project not only aims to transform the islands into a flower-dotted destination for tourists to enjoy, but also to allow the CNMI’s future generation to continue to relish the beauty of nature.

Renowned landscape architect Junichi Inada discussed this important offshoot of MVA’s Flower Island Project during yesterday’s Rotary Club of Saipan meeting at the Hyatt Regency Saipan.

“With this kind of development, we are also working for the next generation, our children. Today we grow trees [and flowers but] no way can we enjoy them immediately. But two generations after, our children [will] surely enjoy them. This is what we did in Singapore with the botanical gardens,” he said.

Inada, the managing director and representative partner of WIN Landscaping Planning & Design, said the project has been successfully done with the Garden City Concept that he spearheaded in Singapore in 1983 under the late prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.

“After 50 years of development, Singapore is now a garden city. Garden first, city later. I’m very sure the CNMI has very good potential… Saipan is the center, Tinian is hot and dry, and Rota [still] maintains its rich topsoil and very green… All three [work] as a tripod and the three-island concept is very strong,” he said.

Inada also wants the CNMI to start a Flower Garden Festival so that tourists and locals alike can appreciate the concept.

“In Singapore, we have a flower festival every two years.” The centerpiece is a 10-meter high tower that is covered entirely with orchids,” he added.

Unlike other countries’ gateway airports, Singapore’s Changi International Airport has no signs that welcome visitors.

“The Garden City Concept is already very welcoming to visitors [even without] a welcome signage [at the airport]. With the garden environment and arrangement, we are already receiving our guests with the message ‘Welcome to Garden City Singapore!’” he said.

Inada is expected to go into more on detail about the Flower Island Project during the MVA meeting tomorrow at the Kensington Hotel.

Phase I of MVA’s Flower Island Project includes a conceptual directional master plan for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. It will also involve a schematic plan for all CNMI airports and Banzai Cliff; a conceptual computer graphic montage for the airports and Airport Road toward Beach Road on Saipan; a topographical study model of Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and schematic image model of the Saipan airport.