The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is calling for public feedback on master plan proposals to transform Jurong Lake District (JLD) into Singapore’s second Central Business District (CBD).
Minister for National Development and Second Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong launched the exhibition showcasing the master plan proposals for JLD this morning at The URA Centre.
The 2008 Master Plan unveiled the blueprint for JLD as a new growth area with two precincts – Jurong Gateway, as the commercial hub, and Lakeside, for leisure and recreational activities.
With over a million residents living in the west region, JLD was well placed to grow into its full potential as the largest regional centre outside of the CBD.
The government’s decision to locate the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur High-Speed Rail (HSR) terminus at Jurong East is a game changer. It effectively opens up JLD as a new gateway to the region and makes it easier to conduct business for cross-border collaborations, and to travel between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
The exhibition showcases four key strategies to transform JLD into our second CBD. These strategies are aspirational in nature, and agencies will consult stakeholders and public to refine the proposals further.
The four key strategies are:
a) A vibrant, lively CBD, with adaptable spaces for the new economy. JLD is envisioned as a lively, vibrant mixed-use business district with a live-in population and an attractive street life for both locals and visitors.
We will also incorporate flexibility and adaptability in our plans at the onset, such as having adjustable land parcels through a grid system and ‘White’ zoning, so that we can configure the parcels in ways that best meet business needs in the future economy.
b) Green and blue spaces and places for people. 16 hectares of new parks and open spaces will be added. Including the 90ha Jurong Lake Gardens, there will be over 100ha of extensive greenery and open spaces in JLD. These spaces will be extended into the surrounding neighbourhoods.
All new developments will feature skyrise greenery that will form a ‘green carpet’ in the sky, creating a unique identity for the district.
A new water channel will be created in Jurong Lake to add new waterfront spaces for recreational and community activities.
c) A car-lite, commuter-centric JLD. JLD is planned to be seamlessly connected within the district and to the rest of Singapore by public transport. Beyond the existing North-South and East-West MRT lines, it will be served by the new Jurong Region Line and the Cross Island Line. Our target public transport mode share for JLD is thus more than 80 per cent, higher than the current islandwide average of 66 per cent.
Roads will be prioritised for public transport. The network of cycling and shared paths will be expanded for pedestrians and active mobility users.
d) Sustainable district-level systems. Sustainable district-level infrastructure will be implemented in JLD to reduce energy usage, save manpower and create a better quality living environment. Where it is practical and cost effective, these urban systems will be placed underground to optimise land use and free up space for people-centric uses.
Please refer to Annex A [PDF, 150kb] for more details on the strategies.
URA has held engagement sessions with grassroots on the JLD master plan proposals. It will also hold townhall sessions with residents and focus group discussions with businesses and professional bodies to seek their feedback on the proposals.
The draft master plan will be exhibited at the URA Centre Atrium from 25 Aug to 31 Aug and at Westgate from 8 Sep to 17 Sep. Admission is free. Members of public are encouraged to visit the exhibition at URA Centre or at Westgate, or online at www.jld.sg to give their feedback.