The broad strategies from the mid-term review of the Concept Plan have been translated into the Master Plan 2008 which will guide Singapore’s physical development for the next 10 to 15 years.

Building on the strategies identified in the mid-term review,, Master Plan 2008 has four key thrusts:

A Home of Choice

The Master Plan 2008 aims to continue to enhance Singapore as a liveable city. Singaporeans can look forward to more quality living environments, with a wide choice of housing locations and types.

New towns like Punggol and Sengkang will be further developed to build up their critical mass, alongside supporting amenities. There will be new housing choices for those who want to live in familiar places like Bukit Merah, Bedok and Clementi.

Mature towns like Queenstown and Yishun will be rejuvenated with new generation housing and amenities. Other housing estates will also be upgraded with new facilities through schemes such as the Home Improvement Programme and Neighbourhood Renewal Programme.

To offer city-living choices and capitalise on opportunities offered by the Sports Hub and the waterfront, Kallang Riverside will be developed as a new mixed-use lifestyle precinct.

In tandem with the growing population, the island-wide rail network will be expanded, with new rail lines such as Downtown Lines 2 and 3, the Thomson Line, Eastern Region Line, and the Tuas extension to the East-West Line. The road network will also be improved with the Marina Coastal Expressway and North-South Expressway.

A Magnet for Business

To strengthen Singapore as a distinctive global business hub, the Master Plan 2008 will continue to offer a choice of attractive business locations, supported by amenities and infrastructure to meet the different needs of business.

Marina Bay and the city centre will continue to be the key commercial centre in Singapore to meet demand for space for financial, business services and tourism sectors. Within the city centre, new growth areas in Tanjong Pagar, Beach Road and the Ophir-Rochor corridor will be developed as strategic gateways to the city centre.

Commercial hubs will also be developed outside the city centre to offer alternatives for businesses and provide jobs closer to homes. Decentralisation of commercial hubs has the following benefits:

To help spread business activities outside the city, creating mixed-use destinations that inject vibrancy and foster rejuvenation in these areas

To offer attractive alternative business locations outside the city in areas well-served by mass rapid transit networks and expressways, and supported by large population catchments and complementary business clusters

To provide jobs closer to homes to achieve better job distribution island-wide. It is a sustainable approach to reducing congestion with less commuting to the city

The decentralisation strategy started with Tampines regional centre, which is today a vibrant office, retail and entertainment cluster. The Master Plan 2008 will focus on building up two commercial hubs at Jurong Lake District and Paya Lebar Central.

An Exciting Playground

URA’s new leisure plan under the Master Plan 2008 promises one thing: more fun! There will be something for everyone with more recreational choices round the clock.

Relax in new parks and move around from park to park with additional park connectors. For those who love the great outdoors, one can cycle or jog round the island in future. Check out new water activities in selected rivers and reservoirs. Or pump up the energy with new sporting facilities and arts and event spaces, closer to home.

For those game for more buzz, the city centre offers plenty of excitement and new night activities. Expect new enhancements to Orchard Road, Bras Basah. Bugis, Singapore River and Marina Bay.

Plans are also in the pipeline to boost areas like the Southern Waterfront, Lim Chu Kang & Kranji Reservoir, and Mandai to offer unique recreational experiences.

A Place to Cherish

The Master Plan 2008 also recognises that identity and heritage are important elements that make Singapore home.

Through URA’s conservation efforts, more than 6,800 buildings have been conserved and 55 monuments protected island-wide. We will continue to strike a fine balance between protecting our built heritage and meeting development needs in planning for Singapore.

In Master Plan 2003, activity nodes such as Thomson Village, and Jalan Leban were identified and recognised as part of the Identity Plan. Plans were made to retain and enhance these activity nodes by recognising existing trades and activities, developing urban design guidelines, and improving their physical environment. Since Master Plan 2003, we have continued to enhance selected areas through Environmental Improvement Projects for Upper Serangoon, Siglap Village, Woodlands waterfront and Punggol promenade. The improvement works serve to help to enhance these places for all to enjoy.

In rejuvenating older HDB towns such as Queenstown, efforts will also be made to retain some of the heritage, memories and identity that residents associate with the area.