Punggol vision one step closer

Work begins on 4.9km walkway – part of a plan to turn area into iconic waterfront town

March 2011. From an elevated viewing platform at Punggol Point, some residents look out onto tranquil waters. Others stroll along a sandy beach while enjoying the sea breeze.

Along a 4.9km-long promenade that begins here, they can also walk to playgrounds, fitness corners, fishing spots and even a horse-riding school. If hunger strikes, they can pop by eateries that dot the route.

The $16.7 million Punggol Promenade, which is part of a grand vision to transform the former backwater village in the north-east into Singapore’s iconic suburban waterfront town, took a step closer to reality yesterday.

Construction began with a ground-breaking ceremony.

‘We are one step closer to realising the vision of Punggol as a beautiful waterfront town with an array of leisure opportunities,’ said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.

Mr Teo, who is an MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, noted that fresh plans for the walkway, released by the Urban Redevelopment Authority yesterday, had integrated feedback from residents, such as including fitness corners along the route.

This walkway is part of a 150km ’round-island route’ that will eventually allow users to walk, cycle or jog around the whole island – connecting Singaporeans ‘not only psychologically, but physically’ as well, he added.

He was accompanied at the ceremony by National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan, North East District Mayor Teo Ser Luck and other MPs from the constituency.

Developments in Punggol have accelerated in the last two years since Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong offered a new vision for it – called ‘Punggol 21-plus’ – in his 2007 National Day Rally speech.

He had unveiled sweeping plans for a beautiful coastal suburb with public homes built along a pristine waterway, amid nature trails and restaurants serving Punggol’s famous chilli crab.

But it has not always been smooth sailing for Punggol, which more than 10 years ago had a population of only 500.

The vision for its transformation began as early as 1996, when it was announced by then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong. But the Asian financial crisis halted the town’s development, leaving many early residents miffed about the lack of amenities and critical mass in the new town.

Today, the town has a population of 53,600 and this is projected to grow to 70,000 by 2011.

The promise of Punggol is vivid in the mind of Madam Gillian Lim, 40, who has lived there for eight years. ‘It’s been a long time coming. I’m so glad we are finally seeing things built now,’ she said.

Mr Teo Chee Hean told reporters the pace of Punggol’s development will be determined by the demand for housing, which seems to be healthy.

Punggol is not the only town set for a metamorphosis. Mr Teo yesterday highlighted the Marina Bay area as one that is ‘taking shape before our very eyes’.

Key projects like the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort and the Marina Bay Financial Centre will open their doors next year.

‘But more than just the commercial developments…it is really a place for all of us. There will be many public spaces for us to enjoy,’ he said earlier at an exhibition launch at Sengkang’s Compass Point.

The ‘My Endearing Home’ exhibition, launched in May, aims to encourage the public to rediscover the island and inform them of upcoming development plans.

Mr Teo noted that a new ‘double helix’ bridge will soon connect Marina Centre to Marina South, and new attractions and event spaces all around the bay will be opened.

Besides the transformations in the city area, Singapore’s heartland, such as the Jurong Lake District, is also set for an intensive makeover to become an alternative business and leisure destination.

Source: Sunday Times, 16 Aug 2009

Work begins on construction of Punggol Promenade

Work has begun on the construction of Punggol Promenade to develop the waterfront area in Punggol East. It is part of bigger plans by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to promote local tourism at lesser-known coastal areas in Singapore.

Even though many of the plantations and farms in Punggol are now gone, the rustic laidback charm of the area remains and this is a major draw for residents here.

By building the necessary infrastructure in Punggol, authorities hope to pave the way for local tourism. Plans include turning the jetty and beach at Punggol Point into a park with cycling tracks and eateries, and developing the stretch along Coney Channel into nature trails and fishing spots.

This has been a long wait for residents as plans were announced back in 2002, under the URA’s Parks & Waterbodies Plan and Identity Plan.

Pradip Mandal, a Punggol resident, said: “I’ll be looking forward to more recreation places. I’ve got young kids with me, and I need a bit of recreation for myself… cycling, trekking zones will be really nice to have.”

He may just get his wish as the promenade will be connected to other parks and hiking trails, forming a 150-kilometre route around Singapore.

The 5-kilometre Punggol Promenade is expected to be completed in 2011, at a cost of S$16.7 million. Members of Parliament broke ground on the project on Saturday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also the MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, touched on future developments for the constituency at the ceremony.

“The pace, of course, will be determined by the demand for housing. The demand for housing still seems to be good and we’re very happy to welcome the new residents here to Punggol 21,” he said.

Punggol 21 is part of the government’s plans to bring waterfront living – complete with new residences and leisure options – to the town. It is expected to be completed over the next few years.

Source: Channel News Asia, 15 Aug 2009

Jurong gets transport hub, new roads

Move in line with plans for development of Jurong Lake District

CONNECTIVITY for commuters in Singapore’s west will soon be ramped up with a brand new bus interchange at Boon Lay and an expanded road network in Jurong East.

The 20,000 sq m, fully air-conditioned interchange is set to see buses rolling out during the year-end school holidays.

Costing $24 million, it will be Singapore’s biggest and most expensive bus interchange to date. It will also have the greatest number of bus services – 31 in total.

When it is open, Boon Lay will be the fourth town to have an integrated public transport hub, in which the bus interchange and MRT station are seamlessly linked with retail outlets.

The other integrated hubs are in Toa Payoh, Ang Mo Kio and Sengkang, while Clementi and Serangoon are expected to get air-conditioned bus interchanges in 2011.

Commuters using the new Boon Lay bus interchange can get to it through multiple entrances.

An escalator from the third floor of Jurong Point 2, near the NTUC FairPrice supermarket, will also take shoppers directly to the bus interchange.

Over in Jurong East, motorists can look forward to smoother traffic flow as the Land Transport Authority (LTA) adds two new roads to the estate.

An LTA spokesman said traffic demand is expected to go up in the town as plans for the Jurong Lake District take shape.

A new dual three-lane road will extend from Jurong East Street 13 to Toh Guan Road. Another new dual two-lane road will be built to link Jurong East Street 13 and Jurong East Street 11.

Existing roads will also be expanded. The heavily used Jurong Town Hall Road will have an extra lane added in both directions at the stretch from the Pan-Island Expressway to Boon Lay Way, and the stretch from Jurong East Central to the Ayer Rajah Expressway.

Part of Jurong East Street 13 will also have an additional lane each way.

All the works are ongoing and will be completed by 2011 at a cost of $48.3 million.

Jurong East resident Cheong Kah Meng, 59, said the plans will ease congestion in his estate. ‘Jurong Town Hall Road is especially bad during the peak hour, so hopefully the extra lane will help,’ said the welfare-home manager.

Source: Straits Times, 14 Aug 2009

Urbanisation opportunities beckon

S’pore companies with proven expertise in planning, building and managing cities have excellent prospects

THE global march towards urbanisation is unstoppable – not even the deepest recession in 30 years is slowing it. And that should, at least, bring some sunshine to Singapore companies in these gloomy days.

‘Urbanisation is a global mega trend,’ points out Tham Poh Cheong, director of infrastructure, environmental & engineering services at International Enterprise (IE) Singapore.

Citing projections by the United Nations, he notes that half the world’s population are already living in urban settings; by 2050, the number will jump to 70 per cent.

‘By then, more than 20 megacities each with a population of at least 10 million will emerge,’ Mr Tham says.

Many of these will be in China, the Middle East and South-east Asia.

‘In China, the economic ripples created by the success of gateway cities such as Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou have spurred the growth of a new generation of Chinese cities such as Nanjing, Xian, Chengdu and Chongqing, which aspire to economic prosperity as well as a high quality of life for its residents,’ Mr Tham says.

Environment-friendly

And, with the rising awareness of green issues, many of the cities also want to be environment-friendly.

In the Middle East, countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates are launching mega commercial and industrial projects in an attempt to reduce their reliance on oil and gas, and to diversify their economies.

Abu Dhabi has big plans to build a world-class city with massive investments in infrastructure, real estate development and cultural facilities. Likewise, Saudi Arabia is pumping billions of dollars into a series of mega economic cities to provide jobs and homes for its people.

Closer to home, escalating economic growth and urbanisation have led to demand for townships and industrial parks in countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam.

What have all these developments got to do with Singapore?

‘They create enormous business opportunities for companies that are able to provide sustainable urban solutions in these cities,’ Mr Tham says.

And that means Singapore companies with proven expertise in planning, building and managing cities.

‘Singapore is a good model for sustainable solutions, and Singapore companies have gained the expertise from Singapore’s history of physical transformation,’ Mr Tham says.

Thus, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and, more recently, the World Bank have teamed up with Singapore to tap its experience in urban management and to share it with developing countries.

Not every Singapore company is in the business of providing urban solutions; in fact, many of the specialists in urbanisation work for the government. But the public sector also ropes in companies from the private sector to execute plans.

Partnerships

That is why Mr Tham says that ‘Singapore companies have accumulated deep knowledge and rich experience in urban solutions’.

Indeed, Singapore now has a group of companies that can offer the whole value chain in urban solutions that few others can boast of.

Which is perhaps why IE Singapore, in pushing Singapore companies to go global, prefers that those in urban planning, building, civil engineering and management of industrial parks band together in venturing out.

‘IE Singapore has actively encouraged a Singapore Inc approach to foster partnerships to secure key projects overseas,’ Mr Tham says. ‘Singapore companies can then combine resources and expertise to provide an attractive, complete value proposition in urban solutions. This will sharpen the competitive edge of our companies, thus maximising the chances of success.’

Better still, they should team up with government agencies such as PUB and URA, which have started their own international and consultancy arms.

‘Working hand in hand with Singapore companies in the internationalisation thrust, their participation would facilitate and increase the chances of the companies in identifying and securing projects overseas,’ Mr Tham says.

Singapore companies have built up a good track record in developing industrial and science-and-technology parks abroad. They are also prominent in township projects that incorporate residential, commercial, recreational and educational developments.

Keep venturing out

Cost-effectiveness, quality and sustainability are the hallmarks of Singapore’s urban solutions companies, according to Mr Tham.

But Singapore companies should never rest on their laurels; instead, they must continue to strive to win more projects in the global markets.

Thus, IE Singapore has not stopped encouraging Singapore companies to venture out.

Source: Business Times, 13 Aug 2009

Little red dot with much to offer in urban planning

WHAT do Singapore companies, coming from a tiny island, have to offer in urban solutions to big towns and cities elsewhere?

Plenty, says Jeffrey Ho of Surbana International Consultants, an offshoot of the Housing and Development Board.

‘Singapore is one of five cities with the (world’s) greatest population density,’ the executive vice-president of Surbana’s urban planning group points out.

‘This gives us a special understanding of the issues of high-density living in cities,’ he says. ‘It qualifies us as an expert on compact urban development solutions.’

Mr Ho and his colleagues in Surbana’s planning group ‘have fundamentals that guide all our actions and thoughts’.

‘These came from our Singapore experience, our heritage of nation building – internalised in our planning and design philosophy and acquired from our work at HDB and our participation in the Singapore Concept Plan.’

Mr Ho says that Surbana is therefore well-placed to tailor and apply the principles of Singapore’s success in nation building to overseas markets.

‘The iconic value of ‘our little red dot’ is most appreciated and sought after by overseas clients,’ he says.

Coming from Singapore, which is recognised for good governance and long-term integrated planning, Mr Ho says that Surbana is seen as a professional urban planner that can provide ‘tested, grounded, implementable solutions’.

‘Because of Surbana’s urban planning group’s multi-culturism, we can address issues from a multi-faceted perspective,’ he says. ‘Over many years, we have completed many first-move projects that became global case studies. We are reputed to be capable of transforming all urban challenges into a liveable future.’

According to Mr Ho, a bright future as a global player awaits Singapore’s providers of urban solutions.

In the short term, he sees urban solutions in demand to reduce and manage greenhouse gas emissions, promote greater accessibility, develop a wider range of transport options, conserve natural resources by using land more wisely and manage water resources.

In the mid to longer term, growth is not the issue, Mr Ho says. ‘It’s not about whether growth will occur, but how and where.’

Master-planning will be a key element in urban development, according to him. ‘You must have a master plan to guide growth. The challenge is not to sprawl, but to continue to grow and create better suburbs and stronger cities – to focus on rebuilding the old before building new.’

Mr Ho says that the trend will move towards more compact development that relies on existing infrastructure.

So policies must encourage ‘reconstruction, redevelopment, reinvestment and re-invention’.

Source: Business Times, 13 Aug 2009

URA survey on lifestyle

THE Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is looking into Singaporean lifestyles in a survey that is set to guide land use and transportation policy.

Four thousand people, including singles, families with young children, the elderly and foreigners, will be surveyed between now and November. And focus group discussions will be used to gain deeper insight into key issues.

Those taking part in the survey will be asked for their views on a range of lifestyle issues, including living and working environments, recreational activities and factors that create a sense of belonging to Singapore.

The URA hopes the survey will highlight any gaps that need filling in the provision of facilities.

Also, the findings of the Lifestyle Survey will go towards the 2011 review of the Concept Plan, which maps out Singapore’s land use and transportation over the next 40 to 50 years.

Letters will be sent to notify households that have been selected for the survey.

Source: Straits Times, 12 Aug 2009

URA survey seeks to find out lifestyle needs in S’pore

4,000 people, including PRs and employment pass holders, to be polled

THE Urban Redevelopment Authority has commissioned a survey of 4,000 people, including some permanent residents (PRs) and employment pass holders, to establish lifestyle needs and trends in Singapore.

The findings will provide input to the ongoing Concept Plan 2011 Review.

‘The Lifestyle Survey will sample a representative profile of the Singapore population which includes both locals and foreigners,’ a URA spokesman told BT.

‘We want to ascertain the lifestyle needs and aspirations of locals and foreigners so we can work with the relevant agencies to improve any gaps identified in the current provision of amenities and facilities.’

This is URA’s second lifestyle survey. The first, conducted in 2002-2004, covered Singapore citizens and PRs. This latest survey will also include employment pass holders.

URA said the findings of the survey will facilitate the planning of residential and work locations, among other things.

Key areas in which URA will gather public responses include preferences for residential areas and housing types; leisure and recreational activities; mode of travel and travel times; and attributes that contribute to quality of life.

Respondents will also be polled on their satisfaction with amenities and facilities near work, home and for leisure, as well as factors that help create a sense of belonging.

The Concept Plan maps out the long-term directions for Singapore’s land use and transport plans over the next 40 to 50 years.

URA has commissioned ML Research Consultants to conduct the survey between August and November this year.

Besides foreigners, other survey respondents who will be selected to participate from a ‘broad spectrum of our population, including singles, families with young children and the elderly’, URA said.

In addition, focus groups will be conducted to gain deeper insight into lifestyle needs and aspirations, it said.

Source: Business Times, 12 Aug 2009

URA to survey lifestyle needs and trends

SINGAPORE: The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is embarking on a survey to establish lifestyle needs and trends in Singapore.

The findings of the URA Lifestyle Survey will provide inputs to the ongoing Concept Plan 2011 Review, which maps out the long-term directions for land use and transportation plans over the next 40 to 50 years.

Through this survey, URA also hopes to discover the lifestyle needs and aspirations of residents so that it can work with relevant agencies to improve the current provision of amenities and facilities such as those for leisure and recreation.

The survey is conducted once every five years and will gather information from some 4,000 respondents, from all walks of life, on factors that contribute towards creating a sense of belonging to Singapore.

The survey will be conducted between August and November this year, and notification letters will be sent to the selected households.

Source: Channel News Asia, 11 Aug 2009

Kebun Bahru station? Where’s that?

LTA dismisses ‘future MRT stations’ appearing in condo sales pitches

THE proximity of MRT stations to new housing projects has long been a selling point when developments are launched, and it is common to find condominium advertisements displaying ‘nearby’ train stations.

But a couple of developers have taken the sales pitch one step further: by pinpointing the sites of MRT stations which have not been confirmed.

In UOL Developments’ recent advertisement for Meadows@Pierce, a freehold condominium project in Upper Thomson Road expected to be ready around 2012, the developer ran a map showing station sites of the future Thomson Line, which will only be completed in 2018.

These include ‘Springleaf’, ‘Kebun Bahru’, ‘Venus Drive’ and ‘Sin Ming’ stations.

Another major developer, Far East Organization, showed the location of a ‘Marine Parade MRT’ station in an online page for its Silversea condo. The east coast development is expected to attain TOP in 2014.

The station is supposedly part of the Eastern Region Line, which will be completed in 2020.

The Land Transport Authority has not confirmed the alignment of the new rail projects, much less the location of stations. An LTA spokesman dismissed the developers’ information as ‘wild guesses’.

Far East Organization declined to comment; but Ms Claire Cher, spokesman at UOL Group, parent company of UOL Developments, said it got the location and names of the stations from singeo.com – an online map service.

According to the website, the names and locations of the supposed Thomson Line stations were suggestions from users.

Ms Cher nevertheless stood by the advertisement, saying ‘we’re not misleading, because we put the word ‘planned’ under each of the station site’.

The Consumers Association of Singapore does not quite agree.

Case executive director Seah Seng Choon said that it fell short of the advertising industry’s code of practice, which dictates that all advertisements should be ‘legal, decent, honest and truthful’.

‘In this case, the sites of the MRT stations as indicated in the advertisement are questionable when the LTA has not confirmed them. As such the advertisement could be misleading.’

Other developers interviewed said it is an occasional practice among some players to include hypothetical sites of new stations in their sales materials – although some frown upon it.

Mr Gerry de Silva, head of group corporate affairs at City Developments, said his company does not resort to this.

Ms Sarah Jane Smith, spokesman for SC Global Developments, said her company has never had to do so because ‘all our properties have been very centrally located, so all MRT stations and lines are well established’.

The inclusion of transit stations in property ads is tightly controlled in advanced countries. In Japan for instance, the Real Estate Fair Trade Council says ‘future lines or stations are not allowed to be presented in sales collaterals unless the plan is already announced to the public by the transportation company’.

Even so, the line’s planned start of operation has to be clearly stated. And the walking distance between MRT station and development has to be made known.

Source: Straits Times, 8 Aug 2009

More racial interaction at madrasah’s new site

IN JUNE, Madrasah Al-Arabiah moved from its cramped premises in Lorong 13, Geylang to a bigger site in Toa Payoh.

Its bigger, air-conditioned classrooms and badminton and football facilities are a delight to Secondary 5 student Khairil Bahri Kamal.

But it is its location near at least three national schools that appears most appealing to the 16-year-old.

‘We can have regular games as our schools are almost next door,’ he said yesterday, after his Islamic school hosted a ceremony to mark National Day, which is on Sunday.

Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim told reporters after the ceremony that he welcomed the madrasah’s efforts to forge greater interaction between its students and their peers of other races and religions in the neighbourhood.

‘These are developments we should encourage as much as possible,’ said Dr Yaacob, who is also Minister for the Environment and Water Resources.

The madrasah’s principal, Mr Juraimi Ali, is planning to hold exchange programmes and joint excursions with the other schools, which include Pei Chun Public School and First Toa Payoh Primary and Secondary schools.

Yesterday’s event was organised by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) and Al-Arabiah.

Al-Arabiah is one of six full-time Islamic schools in Singapore.

The students are taught Arabic and religious subjects, on top of others such as English, maths and science, to give them the foundation to be religious teachers for their community.

But the heavy workload had led to a dip in academic standards.

To help lift standards, Al-Arabiah and two others have banded to form the Joint Madrasah System, to focus on their strengths and get more funding from the community.

Al-Arabiah has 300 students, some in primary classes. From this year, it will concentrate on secondary students who want a strong grounding in mainstream academic subjects.

Giving an update on its progress, Dr Yaacob praised the madrasah’s teachers: ‘Speaking to the students, I’m very impressed that they’re very confident, able to stand on their own and speak their mind.’

Source: Straits Times, 7 Aug 2009