URA continued to make progress on plans for the Greater Southern Waterfront (GSW) which were presented in the Master Plan 2019. Over the past year, URA’s planners and architects worked closely with agencies and stakeholders to facilitate the planning and sensitive development of several key projects, such as the development of the Keppel Club site for 9,000 future homes, and the Labrador Nature Park Network. These plans will kickstart the transformation of the GSW into a new major gateway and location for urban living, with unique recreational nodes where Singaporeans can enjoy more opportunities to live, work, and play along the southern coast.
An aerial view of Singapore’s southern coastline
We also worked on plans to drive the growth of other economic gateways such as the Jurong Lake District, which is on track to become the largest business district outside the Central Business District (CBD) when completed. The district, which will include a mix of live, work and play amenities, will also see the addition of a tourism development from 2028 to complement nearby attractions such as the Jurong Lake Gardens and the new Science Centre.
In preparation for the further development of new land parcels, we have continued conversations with the private sector to garner feedback and reviewed our plans to position Jurong Lake District as a model for urban sustainability under the Singapore Green Plan 2030.
Woodlands North Coast Building 1 © JTC Corporation
In the North, plans are also underway to develop the northern gateway. Located at the heart of the Woodlands Regional Centre, which is poised to become the largest commercial node in the region, industrial developments in the upcoming Woodlands North Coast precinct, such as the 1 and 7 North Coast buildings which opened in end-2021, will provide a myriad of flexible office and industrial spaces to meet a wide range of business needs.
To complement the office cluster in the region, Woodlands North Coast together with Woodlands Central, will be developed into unique and complementary mixed-use precincts where Singaporeans can enjoy a rich variety of amenities, in addition to lush recreational options and residential homes.
Northern Agri-tech and Food Corridor
Over the past year, we also continued to refine plans to connect Woodlands Regional Centre with other strategic and synergistic uses like the future Agri-Food Innovation Park, Sungei Kadut Eco-District, Republic Polytechnic and Senoko Food Zone. These will form the Northern Agri-tech and Food Corridor, together with the upcoming Agri-Food cluster in Lim Chu Kang that will see its new master plan completed in mid-2023.
As we develop these islandwide gateways, our city centre will continue to anchor Singapore as a globally attractive destination for business and leisure. In tandem with evolving business and lifestyle needs, the CBD will be transformed into a more mixed-use and vibrant precinct. The CBD Incentive Scheme, which continues to see interest, is well-placed to facilitate the shift and drive rejuvenation. We will build on our existing efforts and continue to work with the private sector to reshape the CBD into a greener and more vibrant district to live, work and play in, with more housing options and a wider range of amenities and recreational offerings.
Singapore’s polycentric structure with the CBD located in the south
We worked towards transitioning to a more sustainable and low-carbon urban environment – one that is characterised by greenery provision, energy-efficiency, and active mobility options.
Working in partnership with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the National Parks Board, Connaught Drive, Anderson Bridge and Fullerton Road have been fully pedestrianised since December 2021 as part of a series of enhancements to create a green and walkable Civic District. The closing of these roads have made the area more pedestrian-friendly with more open spaces across the Esplanade Park, Empress Place and Padang, enabling stakeholders in the area to introduce more outdoor programmes. Additionally, the various arts and cultural facilities are now better connected within a park setting, allowing visitors to explore the area safely and on foot.
Visitors can look forward to a more seamless walking experience amidst lush greenery © National Parks Board
Together with the Building and Construction Authority, we introduced an incentive scheme to encourage greater adoption of enhanced Construction Industry Transformation Map (ITM) standards in larger private sector developments. Under the scheme, applicants can enjoy bonus Gross Floor Area for the development beyond the Master Plan maximum allowable intensity, if they successfully deliver the stipulated ITM requirements in the areas of digitalisation, productivity, and sustainability.
We strived to maintain stability in the real estate sector, and supported citizens and the industry in times of need.
With the pandemic having greatly impacted the built environment sector, we implemented relief measures under Part 8C of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act in July 2021 to provide support to developers and purchasers affected by construction delays resulting from COVID-19. The measures allowed developers to extend the date of unit delivery and allowed home buyers to seek reimbursement from developers for costs incurred due to the delays in unit delivery.
Despite the adverse economic impact of COVID-19, the property market remained buoyant with housing prices rising steadily in 2021. To ensure the sufficient supply of private housing to meet demand and maintain market stability, the Government progressively increased the supply of private housing on the Confirmed List of the Government Land Sales Programme in 2021 and 2022. This was complemented by the property market cooling measures introduced in December 2021 to dampen demand, especially from those purchasing properties for investment.
In January 2022, we conducted a public consultation exercise to seek feedback on our proposed amendments to the Housing Developers Rules to ensure they remain relevant and effective in protecting home buyers’ interests. When the amendments are implemented, developers will be required to provide more information on their housing projects to improve market transparency and help home buyers make better-informed decisions.