Planning a Space for our Dreams together
The past year has been significant for the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). We forged ahead with several plans to better the lives and experiences of people in our city. Notably, we embarked on the Long-Term Plan Review (LTPR) – one of our biggest and most inclusive planning efforts to date – to chart the next chapter of the Singapore Story.
During this period, we have witnessed a sharp rise in geopolitical tensions, severe disruptions to global supply chains, and highly volatile economic markets, even as cities worldwide are still emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to grapple with climate change.
This backdrop of events has once again spotlighted a future where uncertainty is the only constant. In turn, this has served to reinforce the pertinence of the LTPR’s focus on enhancing the flexibility of our plans and strengthening the resilience of our city. As part of URA’s regular review of Singapore’s land use plans, the LTPR has enabled us to refine our strategies to effectively meet growing and increasingly diverse needs. For instance, by planning now for a climate-resilient city and developing strategies to better optimise our land resources, Singapore will be better prepared and better equipped to adapt and thrive in a world in flux, for many generations to come.
The LTPR also presented an opportunity to rethink possibilities for the country’s future together with the people, who have the ultimate stake and therefore should have a hand in steering plans for a Singapore that is meaningful to them – one in which they are also invested in and want to see succeed. This is why public engagement has played an even more prominent role in URA’s work over the past year, and formed a significant part of the LTPR.
We reached out and sought the views of over 15,000 people – youth, industry stakeholders, academia, interest groups and the general public – to steward plans for Singapore’s next 50 years based on a collective vision, shared values, and aspirations. These plans, when realised together, will shape a future city, home and society that is truly inclusive, liveable, and loveable.
Even as we look far into the future, URA has steadily stayed ahead of the curve to ensure that our living environment remains resilient and adaptable today.
While it may be easy to take for granted our easy access to recreational options and essential amenities such as supermarkets, parks, medical clinics and food centres, this is in fact the result of our efforts in planning for lively and self-sufficient residential towns. Together with our polycentric strategy, which promoted the planning and development of islandwide employment nodes more than three decades ago, Singaporeans today have a better and more equitable spread of jobs, amenities and retail options across the island.
At the same time, we have also shifted into higher gear to transform our city centre into a more vibrant mixed-use precinct, through initiatives such as the Central Business District Incentive Scheme, and by working closely with pilot Business Improvement Districts to activate public spaces in the area for the community’s enjoyment.
These strategies have not only enabled us to quickly accommodate shifts in work and commuting patterns during the peak of the pandemic, but also reinforced the importance of far-sighted planning in keeping our city relevant, nimble, and responsive in a time of increasing global uncertainty.
In tandem with fast-evolving trends, preferences and technologies, URA also spearheaded research, and implemented innovative solutions in various areas.
We continued to explore ways to future-proof our infrastructure, including the test-bedding of courier hubs in public car parks to facilitate last-mile deliveries, and to support the urban logistics ecosystem with the rapid rise of e-commerce. We also rolled out Singapore’s first public charging network for electric vehicles, and held our ninth Urban Lab exhibition, with the latter bringing together industry leaders and policymakers to give the public a first glimpse into autonomous mobility technology, and how it could transform our cityscape and way of life.
While all cities, including ours, need to constantly evolve to serve modern-day needs, it is imperative that we continue to value what anchors and makes us who we are – a distinctive city that is all the more recognised for its judicious approach to developing sustainably, and an endearing home for all.
Rejuvenating the cityscape whilst protecting our natural and built assets
In this regard, adopting a well-balanced approach to retain and enhance our built heritage and nature vis-à-vis urban rejuvenation, has allowed us to strengthen the very elements that make Singapore a familiar and well-loved home.
The robust environmental and heritage studies put in place to guide the planning for future developments at the Springleaf and Mount Pleasant sites, for example, reflect our continued commitment to prioritising sensitive and sustainable development.
In the same vein, we also continued to make strides in protecting buildings with heritage significance. We conserved several buildings within the compounds of Saint Theresa’s Home and the Old Police Academy, as well as the Golden Mile Complex. They add to our growing list of more than 7,200 heritage gems that carry fond memories for many Singaporeans, while also being adapted for present-day use.
Co-creating well-loved and well-utilised spaces
URA continued driving efforts to co-create a more people-centric urban environment. For instance, together with various partners, we fully pedestrianised Connaught Drive and Anderson Bridge to create a greener and more pedestrian-friendly Civic District.
We also crowdsourced for proposals to revitalise places like the old Bukit Timah Fire Station. We aim to continue partnering the community to give our familiar landmarks a new lease of life based on these ideas, and turn these areas into vibrant and inclusive lifestyle destinations.
Showcasing Singapore’s best practices in urban planning and design
Last but not least, we kept Singapore’s flag flying high on the international stage, by showcasing our planning and design capabilities to global audiences.
The Singapore Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai highlighted our nation’s ethos of sustainable development and advanced Singapore’s vision of being a City in Nature. Together with our other national pavilion at the 17th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, it not only enabled us to share our capabilities with the rest of the world, but also highlighted Singapore’s achievements in shaping a liveable city, with a unique culture and identity.
On this note, I wish to express my gratitude to Singaporeans, as well as URA’s partners and stakeholders, for your continued partnership and support.
I would also like to commend URA colleagues for their dedication and contributions over the past year; for setting the gears in motion to drive Singapore’s development today, and in the next 50 years and beyond – to create a shared space where diverse hopes and dreams of many generations can be brought to life.
Peter Ho Hak Ean Chairman