Darlene Lim, an intern at City Developments Limited (CDL), shares her experience of two new sustainability innovations for the community at City Square Mall:

I had the pleasure of visiting the EcoTrain and MicroForest recently, and what I expected to be a simple educational exhibit turned out to be a captivating journey through an upcycled train cabin that pulsed with vibrant design, purpose, and heart.

Nestled within City Green -- the tranquil urban park adjoining Singapore’s first eco-mall, City Square Mall -- a quiet yet powerful transformation is taking place. An old SMRT train carriage has found new life, not on the tracks, but at the intersection of education, sustainability, and innovation.

Welcome aboard the CDL EcoTrain, a first-of-its-kind, solar-powered climate education hub. Co-created with Just Keep Thinking (JKT), Singapore’s largest science and sustainability platform, the EcoTrain is designed to ignite environmental awareness among children and families, offering enriching experiences for visitors of all ages.

A Train Ride Unlike Any Other – All Aboard a Greener Future

From the outside, the CDL EcoTrain resembles a familiar MRT cabin, refreshed with solar-reflective HydroPro enamel paint and vibrant visuals inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). But step inside, and it transforms into a powerful symbol of circularity and innovation.

Retaining nostalgic elements like original “Reserved Seat” decals, the rainforest-themed interior features earthy tones--lush greens and soft browns--crafted from upcycled materials such as recycled rubber flooring from tennis shoes and low-carbon, formaldehyde-free wood panels. Powered by 14kWp rooftop solar panels, the EcoTrain operates entirely on renewable energy, enough to power two four-room HDB flats annually! Smart systems, including a 5-tick aircon and real-time Energy Monitoring System, support its net-zero ambitions.

More than a showcase of green technology, the EcoTrain is an immersive educational experience! 

An Immersive Rainforest Adventure for All Ages

The EcoTrain features a total of 13 thoughtfully curated stations, each unfolding a chapter in an interactive story called the Rainforest Adventure -- guided by Qwerty, the train’s adorable feline mascot. The journey begins when visitors scan a QR code that unlocks a digital “explorer’s handbook,” doubling as a treasure hunt dashboard

As I followed along, I could not help but marvel at how well the train balances education with entertainment, especially for younger audiences. The mission? Find six hidden Qwertys and answer fun trivia questions to unlock an exclusive Augmented Reality rainforest and receive a cute souvenir pin from a gacha machine at the end. The sense of discovery was palpable -- not just for me, but also for the families and children dashing from station to station.

Let’s take a walk through the stations:

• Station 1: Welcome & Classroom – My rainforest journey began with a guidebook and an animated video, set in a space framed by an arched walkway and covered in leaf notes filled with children’s wishes for nature.
• Station 2: Lungs of the Earth – A nod to the crucial role rainforests play in our planet’s oxygen cycle.
• Station 3: Beating Hearts of Rainforests – Explores the biodiversity and interdependent life within rainforests.
• Station 4: Vanishing Rainforests – Offers a sobering yet accessible look into deforestation’s devastating impact.
• Station 5: Endangered Species Voting Booth – Where visitors can cast their votes for the rainforest species they think are the most at risk.
• Station 6: Leaf Note Activity – One of my favourites, I could pen down heartfelt messages for the planet on paper leaves and add them to a growing forest mural.
• Station 7: The Classroom – A cosy arched space adorned with a “rainforest wall” of handwritten notes and an animated EcoTrain video playing on screen.
• Station 8: Climate Crisis – Educational signboards spell out the real effects of global warming.
• Station 9: Saving Our Rainforests – Offers actionable steps society can take to protect nature.
• Station 10: Spot Qwerty! – A visual puzzle to test your observation skills.
• Station 11: Unite for Our Rainforests – Encourages collective action and collaboration.
• Station 12: Gift Redemption – Where my efforts were rewarded with a charming EcoTrain pin.
• Station 13: Photo Corner – The picture-perfect finale to a meaningful journey.

The EcoTrain’s interactive displays, smart lighting, and educational signboards keep things fun and engaging, without going over the top. Every detail -- from the textures on the walls to the eco-conscious flooring -- has been designed with both intention and imagination.

From Classroom to Canopy: A Living Forest Next Door

Right outside the EcoTrain lies another CDL innovation: the MicroForest -- a regenerative green space co-created with researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and supported by NParks. Occupying 2,800 square feet, the MicroForest serves as a living laboratory to study the effects of urban reforestation on temperature, biodiversity, and mental well-being. 

As I strolled through it, I noticed how much cooler and serene it felt -- even amidst Singapore’s midday heat. In time, this miniature forest is expected to mimic the structure of a natural rainforest, with dense foliage, layered canopies, and diverse plant species coexisting harmoniously. Its purpose? To prove that even in high-density city environments, nature has the power to cool, calm, and coexist.

Together, the EcoTrain and MicroForest represent two sides of the same vision—one that educates, and one that regenerates.

Rooted in Purpose, Powered by Community

Graced by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during its unveiling, the launch of the EcoTrain and MicroForest celebrates CDL’s deep-rooted ethos of “Conserving as We Construct” and the power of 3P collaboration (across the People, Private and Public sectors).

Touring the EcoTrain was both nostalgic and refreshing. What once served as a daily commute vehicle has been transformed into a creative space that educates, engages, and empowers. What began as a routine visit quickly became one of the most memorable moments of my internship -- complete with a treasure hunt, laughter, reflection, and a small souvenir pin to remember it by.

Though it no longer runs on MRT tracks, the EcoTrain continues to move minds -- sparking conversations and inspiring action. CDL’s EcoTrain and MicroForest prove that with the right approach, sustainability can be personal, relatable, and genuinely impactful.