Singapore can take its place among the most prosperous nations in the world in the next two decades, founding father Lee Kuan Yew said, as it takes on the best features of top global cities.

In remarks published Saturday, Lee said the first phase of Singapore's rapid economic growth allowed the island to rise from being a Third World nation to join the "lower half" of the First World.

"Now we can move into the upper half of the First World. We can do this in the next 10-20 years," he was quoted by the Today newspaper as saying.

Lee, a former prime minister and the architect of Singapore's rise to one of Asia's wealthiest economies in just over 30 years, said the island-republic is revamping itself to prepare for the next phase of its growth.

This includes the further transformation of its landscape to incorporate elements from London's cosmopolitan mix, Paris' al fresco ambiance and New York's pulsating art and business culture.

A new city centre in the downtown Marina Bay area, the site of a massive casino complex being built by Las Vegas Sands, will offer a wide range of outdoor dining fronting the bay area as well as river boat cruises.

"The Marina will be like the St Mark's Piazza in Venice," the Straits Times quoted Lee as saying.

Expect more musical concerts, symphony orchestras and art exhibitions to be held here, he added.

But tropical Singapore will inject its own charm by dotting the island with water features and more greenery, Lee said at a Lunar New Year dinner late Friday with residents of the Tanjong Pagar district which he represents in parliament.

"The next stage after clean and green Singapore is a vibrant city with water and gardens everywhere. This will be done in your lifetime," he said.

"There will be clean running water, greenery and boardwalks for people and children to enjoy these streams and ponds -- fishing, boating or dining al fresco."

His son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, recently unveiled a plan to transform rivers, canals and reservoirs into water parks that will offer activities like fishing, boating and outdoor dining.

The elder Lee, 83, holds the influential position of "minister mentor" in the cabinet.