Shaping a Great City Together – 45 Years and Counting
URA was constituted as a Statutory Board in 1974, when urban renewal was in full swing. The challenge then was to transform Singapore from a Third World country plagued by poor living conditions and a floundering economy into a modern metropolis. As the land use planning agency, URA was central to the drama of rebuilding the entire island – from planning new towns to house the population and redeveloping the city centre as our Central Business District, to reclaiming and developing Marina Bay for longer-term needs. Within a few decades, Singapore changed itself into a First World metropolis and a global economic hub. Citizens now have access to quality homes, jobs and conveniences, and enjoy a safe and clean living environment that is rich in greenery and heritage. Key to this achievement is the comprehensive long-term planning framework that URA has embraced. It guides development island-wide in a sustainable manner, balancing economic, social and environmental objectives. It is underpinned by the vision and values of our founding leaders which put people and their quality of life as priority. 45 years on, these fundamentals remain at the core of URA’s mission. In the face of challenges arising from today’s volatile world, URA has also embraced new approaches to make planning more inclusive, in process as well as in outcomes.
The Concept and Master Plans continue to be the foundation stones upon which Singapore’s future is built. They are also the vehicles to translate plans into reality. The Draft Master Plan 2019 is the culmination of an extensive review of island-wide plans carried out in consultation with residents, stakeholders and agencies. It focuses on planning for inclusive and green neighbourhoods, rejuvenating familiar places, as well as building capacity and resilience for sustainable growth.
A thriving economy has always underpinned Singapore’s competitive edge as a highly liveable city. URA continues to develop plans that will enhance economic gateways island-wide, a strategy to sustain long-term competitiveness. From the western gateway anchored by Jurong Lake District, Jurong Innovation District and Tuas Terminal, to the eastern cluster comprising our expanded airport, Changi Aviation Park and Changi City, they will support new growth sectors in the future economy, and improve air, land and sea connectivity to open new business opportunities within and outside Singapore. Citizens will also benefit from more jobs and amenities closer to homes.
URA is already planning beyond the horizon of the latest Master Plan, to strengthen our city’s capacity and resilience to support longer-term growth. With a combined land area of almost 3,000 hectares or the size of eight Marina Bays, the Paya Lebar Airbase site and Greater Southern Waterfront present exciting opportunities for the future, and proposals for these two areas were unveiled for public feedback.
URA has also boosted its underground planning capabilities, having created a pilot 3D Underground Space Plan for Marina Bay, Jurong Innovation District and Punggol Digital District. This innovation will be expanded to include more areas of Singapore, and represents a significant step towards more efficient planning and use of underground space, especially for utilities and services. More surface land can be freed up in the future for homes, parks and community facilities.
Equal attention is being paid to sustain what we have achieved over the years, to ensure our city stays relevant, dynamic and liveable. The island will undergo a fresh wave of urban renewal, starting from where the story of modern Singapore began – the city centre. URA has introduced initiatives to inject more housing, mixed-uses, and spaces for the community and active mobility. Our Central Business District will be revitalised as a great place not just for work, but also for living and recreation.
URA’s rejuvenation efforts also involve improving nature and heritage spaces sensitively, to enrich the diverse experiences our city offers for citizens’ enjoyment. On the back of extensive consultations, enhancement works commenced for the 24 km Rail Corridor to strengthen its greenery and railway heritage, and to make the track more accessible for people of all ages and abilities. URA also showcased the blueprint for the Greater Rustic Coast, a 50 km uninterrupted belt from Lim Chu Kang to Changi that will take users through places of biodiversity, heritage and leisure.
Ultimately, people are what makes a great city tick, which is why engagement has become an essential part of planning over the years. From engaging communities on good practices to empowering citizens to shape buildings and spaces, URA continues to consult and partner widely in order to shape a city that is distinctive to the world, and a home that is endearing – and enduring – to every Singaporean.
We also saw stronger community involvement in conservation, with support from building owners and the public contributing to the gazetting of 32 Jalan Besar shophouses, the Parish of Christ Church, as well as the former Bukit Timah Fire Station and Station Master’s Quarters of the Rail Corridor. They add to the list of almost 7,200 conserved buildings that reinforce Singapore’s distinctive cityscape and our sense of identity. Beyond conserving buildings, URA expanded efforts to deepen partnerships in celebrating and shaping our built heritage landscape. The month-long Architectural Heritage Season and formation of the new Heritage and Identity Partnership are testament to this commitment.
Singapore’s leaders have recently emphasised that the government needs to shift its focus from one of working for the people, to one that works with the people. People-centric planning has defined URA’s approach over the last 45 years, and I am encouraged that it continues to progress towards greater inclusivity and collaboration. I thank all our partners, and past and present URA staff, for working together to shape the city that we have today. We are excited by the prospect of partnering everyone to make Singapore an even greater city and home for the next 45 years and beyond.
Peter Ho Hak Ean Chairman