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  Channel NewsAsia 10 Feb 07
Singapore to invest more on infrastructures to support growth
By Johnson Choo

Channel NewAsia 10 Feb 07
Creative and innovative solutions will prevent overcrowding: Grace Fu
By Farah Abdul Rahim

Business Times Singapore 10 Feb 07
Mah projects a distinctive, vibrant S'pore
Plans include doubling of rail network and more land for new growth sectors
By Wee Li-en

Straits Times 10 Feb 07
Singapore gearing up for 6.5m population
Plans being drawn up for future housing, recreation and land transport needs
By Lydia Lim

Channel NewsAsia 9 Feb 07
Singaporeans need assurance over growing population: sociologist
By Hasnita A Majid

Channel NewsAsia 9 Feb 07
Govt re-looking at land use in view of change in projected long-term growth
By Johnson Choo

SINGAPORE: The government is re-looking at how best to use Singapore's limited land space in view of the changing economic environment and projected long-term growth.

This is the first time it is conducting a mid-term review of the Urban Redevelopment Authority's 10-year Concept Plan, which was last reviewed in 2001.

Key changes include planning for a population of 6.5 million over the next 40 to 50 years, an increase of one million from the current figure.

The government says it is planning ahead to ensure there is sufficient land and infrastructure to attract investments and support economic growth. The comprehensive review takes into account opportunities in high value-added industries, financial and business services sectors, and the tourism sector. These will help propel Singapore's growth into the future.

One major consideration is the provision of affordable, quality public housing without using up too much land, even as the population increases.

Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development, said: "Within the next 10 years, more of our flats will be 40 to 50 years old. This provides us with an excellent opportunity to explore new ideas for our next generation of public housing that will bring HDB living to a higher plane. In this way we will not only optimise land use, but we also incorporate features that will enhance the residents' living experience."

HDB is also exploring the concept of "Housing in a Park" to complement Singapore's vision of a " City in a Garden." In future, flats will feature barrier-free facilities and universal designs, and residents may get to collectively decide on communal facilities.

Rail and bus transport will also be enhanced to integrate residential and commercial areas seamlessly.

Mr Mah said: "For a start, the Rapid Transit System (RTS) network will have to be expanded, with more rail lines added to new areas, thereby enhancing accessibility and reducing travel times. The integration between rail and bus services will also be improved for more seamless connectivity."

And there will be a comprehensive pedestrian walkway network, which will extend to park connectors.

Mr Mah said: "Today what we have is about 70 kilometres of park connectors. We aim to increase it to about 200 kilometres by 2012 and eventually almost 400 kilometres. And by having park connectors linking up all the parks with town centres, with sports complexes, and with homes, you can cycle, you can jog, you can simply just enjoy the greenery through this inter-connectivity."

Together with the recently launched "Active, Beautiful and Clean Waters" programme, and URA's conservation efforts, the government hopes to create a distinct city - one that's both interesting and fun to live and play in. More details of the individual projects will be released by the various agencies at a later date.

Channel NewsAsia 9 Feb 07
Singaporeans need assurance over growing population: sociologist
By Hasnita A Majid

Singapore needs to assure its people that growing the population will not result in more competition for jobs, housing and places in school.

A sociologist says that such concerns within the society will have to be addressed by the government, so that tension does not arise in the community.

Within the next 40 to 50 years, Singapore plans to increase the number of people here to 6.5 million. And that announcement has already received mixed reactions from the public.

"Our country is so small and I think 4.5 is just nice for everybody, you add in another 2.5 million...look at the MRT nowadays. At 6 o'clock, it's already jammed up. I think you're going to have a lot of social problems, a lot of people are going to be very unhappy," said one Singaporean.

"May not have enough of space unless you develop more reclaimed areas," said another. "I'm slightly worried, but in the future if we want anything we will have to work for it."

"I think its not too healthy to have such a large population. Perhaps we should have quality population."

Such concerns should be addressed, says one sociologist, otherwise they will build up to become tensions within the society.

Associate Professor Pauline Straughn, Sociologist, NUS, said: "We should then therefore look towards this positively but be mindful that it has to be treated with great sensitivity. You want to assure Singaporeans that they are not going to be displaced or replaced, rather this would complement their quality of life and this will work towards ensuring a more stable Singapore. We have to be mindful that you have to keep in dialogue with Singaporeans, continue to engage them."

Professor Straughn says that even as the government grows the population and embarks on urban planning for the future, it must be mindful that the hardware must be complemented by the software, especially when it comes to caring for the elderly population.

Professor Straughn says: "As we progress, these changes must be sympathetic to older Singaporeans who may not be able to change as quickly. When we start to build high-rise, how do older Singaporeans adapt to it? It's not a matter of leaving an old home and going to a nice new one, but it's also a displacement of friendships, community ties, of familiarity."

Professor Straughn adds that it's also important that as Singapore attracts more foreigners here, it should also take measures to retain its citizens.

Professor Straughn said: "I think that it's also important that we look at quality of life, from other aspects like what could make somebody choose Singapore as home and stay as home. We have to ensure that to sustain the growth in Singapore, to sustain good harmonious relations within our country, within our society, we also look into nurturing relationships, into quality of life. In terms of housing for the future, property analysts expect Singapore's landscape to change with more taller buildings to make up for the lack of land, as well as changes in flat size.

Chris Koh, Director, Dennis Wee Properties, said: "In the area of housing, not so tight control of height restrictions and we see apartments going higher. Now you have 2 apartment per level but to house a bigger population, you'll probably be down to 3 apartments on that level so therefore I will admit that the apartment may be smaller."

The government has said it will also look into rejuvenating old estates to create more space for public housing.

Business Times Singapore 10 Feb 07
Mah projects a distinctive, vibrant S'pore
Plans include doubling of rail network and more land for new growth sectors
By Wee Li-en

(SINGAPORE) More land set aside for new growth sectors, a doubling of the rail network, mega parks at Marina Bay and lushly landscaped HDB estates with environmentally friendly features - these are some of the proposals the government announced yesterday after completing a mid-term land-use plan review.

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan painted a broad picture of a vibrant and distinctive Singapore over the next 40-50 years when he spoke at the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) corporate plan seminar.

And he revealed how the quality of the island's environment will be maintained despite more intense demand for land.

URA and other agencies have completed a review of the 2001 concept plan, which used a long-term population parameter of 5.5 million. This has been revised to 6.5 million in the mid-term review because the population has already hit 4.5 million.

The concept plan is reviewed every 10 years but was re-examined mid-term for the first time last year because changes in the economy and society are happening faster.

New growth sectors like aerospace and medical travel mean land will be needed for a new aerospace hub near Seletar Airport, as well as new private hospitals and medical suites. High value-added manufacturing industries such as petrochemicals, wafer fab and pharmaceuticals will need more land too.

Despite all of these demands, Singapore has sufficient land to cater to future needs, Mr Mah said yesterday.

In fact, the government aims to make the island's green and clean environment a competitive advantage that offers economic opportunities and a sustainable physical environment.

To decentralise business activity outside the city centre, Jurong, Paya Lebar and Woodlands will be developed as new commercial centres. The existing Central Business District and Bugis will be upgraded with new street furniture and night lighting. Public spaces and pedestrian connections will also be enhanced.

To meet greater transport needs without undermining the quality of the environment, a comprehen sive review of the transport system is being carried out.

Mr Mah said the government aims to increase the trips taken on public transport during the morning peak period from 63 per cent now to at least 70 per cent in 15 years.

The rail network may also double as lines are added to new areas, and integration between rail and bus services will be improved. The government has previously announced that it is studying the feasibility of a new 33-station Downtown Line, linking developments at Marina Bay to housing estates such as Choa Chu Kang and MacPherson.

To manage the growth in car use, private transport ownership and usage restraint measures will be reviewed and refined. Green vehicles and environmentally friendly modes of transport will be encouraged. At the same time, new expressways will be added. Many new roads will be underground or on viaducts to optimise the use of space. Public housing estates will be rejuvenated.

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is exploring the concept of 'Housing in a Park', and lushly landscaped car-parking pod iums will be integrated with housing blocks. Environmentally friendly features will be installed in flats to save water and energy, and centralised chutes for recyclable items will be provided. Lift upgrading to provide stops on every floor will be accelerated, and HDB is exploring the possibility of allowing residents to decide on communal facilities at precinct level. More communal spaces will be provided at podiums and possibly mid-levels of residential blocks to encourage social interaction, Mr Mah said.

Lush landscaping in the city is also a priority - 100ha of prime land around Marina Bay will be set aside to build three new inter-linked waterfront gardens. The gardens at Marina South will focus on horticultural displays to showcase plants of economic importance in international trade and their relevance to people in South-east Asia. And there will be food and aquatic gardens at Marina East with interactive water features.

Facilities and features will be added to existing parks and new parks will be created island-wide. Connectors that link parks with town centres, sports complexes and homes will be increased from 70km now to 200km by 2012 and more than 400km eventually. Mr Mah explained that this way, recreation space will be expanded and accessibility to parks and the coastline within will be increased with minimal land take.

Night life in Singapore will be jazzed up as new tourist attractions come on stream. More international events will be organised, and promenades and landscaped spaces for residents to enjoy the waterfront will be created.

Straits Times 10 Feb 07
Singapore gearing up for 6.5m population
Plans being drawn up for future housing, recreation and land transport needs
By Lydia Lim, Senior Political Correspondent

SINGAPORE is laying the groundwork for a much larger population of 6.5 million, and it could happen in as short a span of time as 20 years.

The country's planners are drawing up future development plans for housing, recreation, land transport and the economy's needs based on this new projection.

The previous target, or what experts call 'a planning parameter', was 5.5 million. The island has 4.5 million people today. The new projection means a jump of 40 per cent.

But Singapore will not be bursting at the seams, promised National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan as he mapped out a vision of a bustling and cosmopolitan city, with space for both nature and history.

He said the Concept Plan of 2001, a 10-year blueprint for land use, had been overtaken by events, suggesting that the population had grown faster than expected.

With the economy booming, it was crucial to plan and invest now for the future, he said. Otherwise, precious business opportunities would be lost if potential investors found insufficient land and infrastructure for their needs.

And the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is confident that with careful use, Singapore will have enough land. Indeed, even as demands on space increase, quality of life can go up, and not down.

Speaking to URA staff and private-sector partners at a seminar in Orchard Hotel, Mr Mah said: 'Our goal is not just to provide space, but also to enhance our living environment to the extent that it becomes our competitive advantage in the attraction of talent and investment.'

He gave no forecast of when the 6.5-million figure would be reached, or who would make up the new numbers. But given that the population here rose from 3.9 million to 4.5 million in the last six years - mainly from the inflow of foreigners here to work and study - it could be as soon as in 20 years, if current trends hold.

Singaporeans interviewed were on the whole open to having more foreigners here, but said citizens should enjoy priority when it comes to public-sector resources.

Sales and marketing manager Phua Kia Chek, 37, urged the Government to 'continue to reach out to as broad a group as possible'. The new population projection will mean a big shift in housing policy. In three to five years, older Housing Board estates will undergo a 'total urban regeneration'.

The revamped estates are likely to be denser, but also include lushly landscaped carparks and sky gardens, barrier-free facilities, seamless transport and pedestrian links, and water- and energy- saving features in flats.

A multi-agency taskforce is working out the concept and will release details at an exhibition later this year. On just how massive the exercise will be, Mr Mah gave this indication: It will go well beyond current upgrading schemes in both 'scale and scope'.

There will also be greater demand for land from the high-value-added manufacturing, aerospace, health-care and tourism sectors. Singapore must move to 'grab these opportunities', Mr Mah said, by ensuring there is enough land, and enhancing air and sea links, communications and power infrastructure.

The Transport Ministry is in the midst of a comprehensive review of the road and rail network, as well as a feasibility study for a new 33-station Downtown line to link Marina Bay to estates in the north-west and east.

To better meld work and play, the URA is working on enhancing development in three areas: Phase Two of the new Downtown, to be launched after 2010. It will extend development southwards from the Marina Bay area, as well as to neighbouring Collyer Quay.

Move more jobs to the suburbs by building new regional business centres in Jurong and Paya Lebar. Improve distinctive enclaves such as Little India, Kampong Glam, Balestier, Holland Village and Siglap Village. More details will be in next year's Master Plan.

A lush green city remained a priority, said Mr Mah, as this 'softer' aspect would ease high-density living.

Conservation of heritage buildings and places would also become 'more important', even as the city was redeveloped. After all, he said, 'these are things that we all remember and want our children to remember with us'. lydia@sph.com.sg

Channel NewAsia 10 Feb 07
Creative and innovative solutions will prevent overcrowding: Grace Fu
By Farah Abdul Rahim

Overcrowding can be prevented with creative and innovative approaches to land use in Singapore to cope with a much larger population of some 6.5 million people over the next few decades.

This was the reassurance given by Minister of State for National Development, Grace Fu, who spoke to reporters on the sidelines of a community forum on Saturday.

Residents at the second forum on HDB heartware have suggested setting up Community Clubs in shopping centres and merging such clubs with sports complexes to bring in more people.

But others also expressed their concerns about the Urban Redevelopment Authority's revised concept plan which aims to cater for a population of 6.5 million people in Singapore soon.

Deen Bandhu, Bishan Resident, said: "If they want to accommodate the balance 2 million, I would say what area will that be and again where will these people be working? Accommodation is one thing, and working area - so all these the government has to plan before it tries to bring in this extra people."

Yusman Jamil, Sembawang Resident, said: "They can rebuild old estates, build higher - accommodate more people. Last time the highest is only 14 storeys - maybe they can go 30 to 40 storeys, maybe more people can go in."

The Minister of State for National Development had this assurance. Ms Fu said: "When we talked about having regional centres that's precisely a way to distribute commercial activities into the non-traditional areas, so that we reduce the need in a way for cross-town travelling. There's so much travelling from all over Singapore into the city that it's really stressing the public transportation system when we talk about a bigger population.

"So what we are doing is to distribute it to reduce the demand on the whole. It is through careful consideration of factors like this and to do it early so it does not become a problem and we have time to make allowances for issues like this."

The Urban Redevelopment Authority is also looking at creative ways to use the current space that Singapore has while acknowledging that land space is limited here.

So alternatives are being explored including tapping the space below MRT stations and viaducts to turn them into recreational facilities for Singaporeans.

Grace Fu said: "We can go down, and we can go up - for example, siting some of our facilities further deep down, freeing up the land for us for living - that's really a way for us, allow us to grow comfortably as a nation.

"These initiatives will bring a lot of green into our urban area and we are also studying other ways to allow environmentally friendly facilities and installations to come in for example the use of natural wind ventilation, how do we reduce urban heat when we have a higher built up area - at this point in time to really cater for a larger population."

A multi-agency taskforce is working out the details and more information will be released later this year. - CNA/ch

Channel NewsAsia 10 Feb 07
Singapore to invest more on infrastructures to support growth
By Johnson Choo

Singapore is re-looking at how it can attract investments and support economic growth in the future.

In a first ever major mid-term review of the Urban Redevelopment Authority's 10-year rolling Concept Plan, the government is making adjustments in view of the changing economic climate. The government is upbeat over the long term economic growth potential in the region.

This is evident in its move to adjust the population parameter for the Concept Plan from the current 5.5 million to 6.5 million.

What this means is, based on this enlarged population, Singapore would have to re-look at how it apportion land for various uses.

To tap into investment opportunities in high value-added industries, the government is looking into setting aside land for the new growth sectors such as the aerospace industry, which has grown by more than 12 percent annually over the past 15 years.

Besides enhancing and upgrading the air and sea ports, the government also plans to set aside more land and invest in more infrastructure ahead of time.

The island's transportation network is set to be beefed up for better connectivity. Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development, says: "LTA is currently carrying out feasibility studies for a new 33-station Downtown Line. This 40 km underground line will link up the developments in Marina Bay to estates in the Choa Chu Kang/Bukit Panjang/Bukit Timah corridor, and the MacPherson /Bedok Reservoir/Tampines corridor. Beyond that, LTA will be evaluating other new lines as well as extensions to current lines in different parts of Singapore which are currently under-served by the RTS network. In the long term, we may need to at least double our rail network."

The government will also enhance and create new areas to meet the demand for space for financial and business services. This includes transforming Jurong into another hub like the Tampines Regional Centre, one up north in Woodlands and a sub-Regional Centre in Paya Lebar. - CNA/ch
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