Singapore is a small city-state with no natural resources. Land is a key enabler to build a future-ready economy and anchor jobs and investments in Singapore. We plan our business nodes carefully with economic agencies for sustainable growth while maintaining a quality environment for all to live, work and play. Long-Term Planning has enabled us to steward our scarce land resource through balancing our diverse needs today, including economic needs, with those of the future. Our plans are regularly reviewed through the Long-Term Plan and Master Plan review process.
Our decentralisation strategy, introduced since the 1991 Concept Plan, played a key role in expanding Singapore’s business ecosystem with job nodes across the island. This reduces traffic congestion towards the city centre, gives businesses options, and brings jobs closer to home.
Under the Draft Master Plan 2025, we will focus on planning for our business and job nodes to be more sustainable with vibrant live-work-play spaces and good connectivity and accessibility, while remaining economically competitive.
Singapore's decentralisation strategy based on the 1991 Concept Plan (View high res image)
To reinforce Singapore’s status as a global economic hub and a nexus for international and regional trade, we will strengthen the competitiveness of our Gateways and expand their linkages to external markets. Complementary industries, innovation districts and institutes of higher learning will be clustered together to foster collaboration between industries, innovation and talent development.
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The Northern Gateway will continue to grow as a major anchor for high-value manufacturing and general industries, with Woodlands Regional Centre as the key commercial centre in the north. The North-South Corridor will further enhance its connectivity to the city centre when it completes in phases from 2027; while the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) link will improve cross-border connectivity to Johor Bahru from end-2026. Future housing developments in the North Region will bring more households and workforce to the area, with convenient access to a wide range of job opportunities and amenities.
Mature industrial estates at Sungei Kadut Eco-District and Yishun Industrial Estate will be refreshed to support the transformation of industries and capture opportunities in a range of economic sectors including Agri-Tech, at the Agri-Food Innovation Park and Senoko Food Zone, and Semiconductor, at the Woodlands Wafer Fab Park and Seletar East Industrial Park.
Anchored by Jurong Lake District, Jurong Innovation District and Tuas Port, the Western Gateway is home to industries with strong dependencies with the port. It is also home to world-class universities that businesses can tap on and collaborate with a ready ecosystem of talent. Residents and workers in the West will experience a significant reduction in their commute time within the region and across the island with the completion of the Jurong Region Line in stages from 2027, and Phase 2 of the Cross Island Line in 2032. New housing injected in Jurong Lake District, Tengah, Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang and Jurong West will allow more workers in the West to live closer to workplaces.
Anchored by Changi Airport, and the paired economic hubs of Changi Aviation Park and Changi City (comprising Changi Business Park, Changi East Urban District), the Eastern Gateway is a thriving business hub supporting global trade flows.
The plans for the area will enable it to be:
As our global financial and business hub, the Central Business District houses over 2 million sqm of office space as well as the headquarters of many MNCs and local companies. To remain competitive, our Downtown must continue to evolve to meet new work trends and lifestyle needs to reinforce its competitive edge and destination appeal. This includes hosting a diverse array of experiences, ranging from arts, cultural and recreational uses to business functions, in addition to city living.
Business nodes such as those in Tampines and Bishan will be refreshed and progressively built up, with plans to introduce new mixed-use developments, public spaces and improve pedestrian connectivity. More residential uses, recreation opportunities, amenities and green spaces will also be incorporated in districts like Punggol Digital District and Greater one-north.
To support new live-work trends and rejuvenate TRC, we are considering injecting more housing, workplaces and community facilities there. Some possibilities under study include new mixed-use developments with residential and commercial spaces, an Integrated Transport Hub, a new public space at the heart of TRC and more seamless pedestrian connections.
More work spaces will be introduced in Bishan SRC and integrated with new retail, social amenities and transport facilities. New public spaces will also be provided for community use.
There will be more opportunities to live within the thriving Greater one-north district with upcoming residential developments along Slim Barracks Rise and Mediapolis.
PDD will be well-connected by green links to the surrounding residential estate and waterfront. Residents and workers can enjoy and unwind in new vibrant public spaces with retail, dining and leisure options within PDD.
Our land use policies and guidelines are regularly reviewed to respond to the changing economic landscape and evolving business needs to provide flexibility for diverse uses.
Artist’s impression of North Coast Vista Boulevard (Credit: JTC)
The Woodlands Experimental Zone is one such example. This is the first development offering businesses the flexibility to use up to 70% of space for service-driven activities alongside manufacturing operations, such that companies can house production, R&D, product design, prototyping and after sales service all under one roof.
The ‘Enabling Sustainable Growth: Shaping the Future of Work’ Exhibition will be open from 24 October 2024 to 3 January 2025 at the URA Centre. We welcome everyone to visit the exhibition to find out more about the upcoming developments at different business nodes and share your feedback with us here. Date: 24 October 2024 to 3 January 2025 Location: URA Centre