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Therapeutic gardens and therapeutic horticulture programmes

Learn more about these healing green spaces dedicated to improving your health and well-being.

In an evidence-based research study conducted by NParks in collaboration with research partners, we found that urban nature contributes positively to a person's health and overall well-being. 

Another study found that there were positive neuro-psychophysiological benefits from passive exposure to a therapeutic garden for the mental health of individuals with clinically concerning depressive disorders.

Both research studies provide scientific support for our City in Nature programme through the formulation of science-based urban nature planning, management, and design in Singapore as seen in the development of therapeutic gardens in our parks and our therapeutic horticulture programmes.

These research studies have been published in international peer-reviewed journals and are also among the first few studies in the world that demonstrate the impact of gardening on mental resilience and the relative importance of different types of urban nature during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How to start a therapeutic garden

If you are planning to start a therapeutic garden, there are 5 steps you should follow:

  1. Garner interest and initiate the project.
  2. Obtain advice on the therapeutic garden's design.
  3. Develop and implement a therapeutic horticulture programme.
  4. Implement a therapeutic garden.
  5. Operate and maintain the therapeutic garden.

As shown in the diagram, stakeholders must be involved in the planning and design process at each step to ensure that their needs and concerns are considered.

It is also important to keep in mind the cultural backgrounds, age groups, and health conditions of the users whom the therapeutic garden is designed for.

Request assistance for design of therapeutic gardens

If you wish to start a therapeutic garden, you may submit details about your project to us. We can provide you with guidance and advice on the design process for therapeutic gardens.

You may refer to our comprehensive guides for the design of therapeutic gardens and contemplative landscapes in Singapore:

We also work closely with:

  • The Residents’ Committee (RC), Neighborhood Committees (NC), or Residents’ Network (RN) for residents in public or private housing estates who are interested in starting therapeutic gardens in their area.
  • Organisations and interest groups to incorporate therapeutic horticulture programmes in their facilities through training workshops.
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© 2024 Government of Singapore.
Last updated on 28 November 2023.