URA's reply, 5 Jun 2015

Greenery and urban build-up: URA replies

We agree with Mr Paul Chan Poh Hoi that neighbourhood parks play an important role in creating attractive and viable residential communities ("Don't sacrifice green spaces for malls"; Tuesday).

As part of Master Plan 2014, we plan to expand Kim Seng Park to link it to the new Great World MRT station and River Valley Road. The area is already well served by commercial developments.

The sites adjacent to the new MRT station and fronting the park are planned for residential use.

Those developments fronting the park will include a small number of commercial outlets on the first storey to provide amenities to serve the residents as well as visitors to the park.

We will also guide new developments to integrate more greenery to visually extend the park into the adjacent buildings, similar to the nearby Rivergate development.

Andrew David Fassam
Senior Director (Urban Planning)
Urban Redevelopment Authority

Letter, 2 Jun 2015, The Straits Times

Don't sacrifice green spaces for malls

I agree with Ms Diana Ong Ing Cheng that many neighbourhood green spaces have been given up to build malls ("Writing's on the mall: Not enough shoppers"; May 25).

It is an unhealthy trend to take green spaces to build new malls.

Neighbourhood parks are essential for quality living. The community suffers owing to the lack of neighbourhood parks within walking distance of their homes.

The construction of Great World MRT station, on the Thomson-East Coast line, changed the landscape around River Valley Road, and a large open green space was created next to the minuscule Kim Seng Park.

I appealed to the authorities to enlarge the linear Kim Seng Park to create a green lung for city dwellers, as there are none in this part of the city.

However, I was informed that the Urban Redevelopment Authority planned to use the vacant land for residential developments, with some commercial uses, perhaps a mall.

It is not gracious living if people have to travel some distance to reach a park.

This also begs the question: Do we need more shopping malls?

As a regular mall visitor, I have noticed that many shops are closing, and new shops are quick to offer big discounts.

Restaurants and existing shops also raise prices every year.

Shops close down because traffic is poor, with few buyers on weekdays. High rentals and the labour crunch render business unviable.

Let us not wait for the day when we have too many malls, with too few retailers and not enough shoppers, before something is done.

Paul Chan Poh Hoi