Remaking the City:
My New Singapore

by He Xingying, Khai Yann Lin

In the next few years, Singapore will see a new and exciting cityscape emerging, with the completion of key projects. There will be a new iconic downtown, an enhanced retail belt, plus attractive leisure options. A new and transformed Singapore awaits citizens and visitors alike.

As National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan puts it, "Turning Singapore into a distinctive city is something that we feel is very important… we must be a special city, we have got to be a city that stands out in the region, and of course be part of the network of cities around the world."

Speaking at the Urban Redevelopment Authority Corporate Plan Seminar earlier this month, Mr Mah highlighted four main areas of transformation for Singapore.

New iconic signature skyline at Marina Bay

Come 2011, the skyline at Marina Bay will take on a distinct new look. The Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort and the first phase of Marina Bay Financial Centre will be operational by 2010, while other developments like the double helix bridge, the Art Park, the Gardens by the Bay and the new waterfront promenade will be progressively completed by 2011. Further, with more infrastructure investments to support future growth and enhance the connectivity within the existing city, Marina Bay will soon become a town that never sleeps – one where people can live, work and be entertained all round the clock.

The city’s retail heart in Orchard Road will also be rejuvenated with the opening of three new mega complexes – the ION Orchard, Orchard Central and Somerset Central. When shoppers are tired, they can take a break and chill out at the ‘streetside’ cafes at the Discovery Walk at Orchard Central and Somerset Central, a 270m thoroughfare above the canal at Somerset. The open space above the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station will also reopen, featuring a sculptural outdoor amphitheatre and an F&B pavilion.

New regional commercial districts

Over in the western region, residents at Jurong Lake District can enjoy better connectivity when the upgrading of the existing Jurong East MRT station completes in 2011. The bus interchange will be integrated with the MRT station, and new roads as well as utilities services will be built to serve new developments in the district.

In addition, Singaporeans can also look forward to lakeside living and entertainment at the Jurong Lake. The northern and western banks of the lake will be enhanced with new boardwalks, wetlands and other recreational facilities, which will allow Singaporeans to enjoy a variety of water-based activities on the lake itself. Besides that, planning works for the Jurong General Hospital and the new Science Centre have also started. They are expected to complete in the next few years.

More exciting playgrounds

Singapore will become an even more exciting playground with a wider range of leisure and recreation options. The first phase of the Gardens by the Bay will be completed by 2011, the park connector network will triple to 300km over the next five to ten years, joining up into a continuous loop around the island, and new tourism attractions will emerge. For example, the new river safari, which will complement the existing zoo and night safari, is expected to open in 2011.

At the Southern Waterfront, there will be added lifestyle attractions at Bukit Chermin and the Harbourfront precinct. The Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk, which will provide a seamless link across the Southern Ridges from Alexandra Road to the waterfront at Bukit Chermin, will be ready by 2011.

Over at Sentosa, the island will continue to remake itself into a premier lifestyle island destination. When Resorts World opens in 2010, families can enjoy themselves at Universal Studios, the maritime museum, and the marine life park. Sentosa Development Corporation will also bring in new attractions such as the Wave House and Sky Venture. These features simulate surfboarding and sky diving for the more adventurous visitors.

Transformation of neighbourhoods

As part of the plans to remake Singapore into a more exciting city, the immediate neighbourhoods where many Singaporeans live will also be transformed. In Punggol, under the Remaking Our Heartland (ROH) programme, works to create the Punggol Waterway have started. Meanwhile, the first HDB eco-precinct, Treelodge @ Punggol, will be completed by end of next year. Elsewhere, major towns like Dawson, Clementi and Yishun are being revitalised too.

Residents can also look forward to more leisure and recreational facilities around the neighbourhoods, as URA develops scenic walks along the coastline. The 4.9km Punggol Coastal Promenade will connect proposed sports and recreational clusters at Punggol Point and Punggol East, forming part of North Eastern Park Connector loop, where residents can walk along the Punggol coastline. Meanwhile, residents at Woodlands can look forward to a new waterfront recreational playground at their doorstep. A 1.5km promenade and a nine-hectare park along a tranquil stretch of coastline in Woodlands will offer unobstructed views of the Johor Straits.

New to Co-exist with the Old

The old is also not forgotten even as Singapore remakes itself. Instead, old buildings and infrastructures are given a new lease of life as the city undergoes further transformation.

"The new inspires us with hope for the future, the old brings back fond memories of the past and roots us to this place. While we bring about new exciting changes in our landscape, we are very mindful to ensure that our treasured traditions and memories are not destroyed," Mr Mah assured.

For example, the old market in Dawson will be conserved and converted into a community centre. Meanwhile, the old Punggol Road will be designated a heritage road.

"My New Singapore" Programme:
See Singapore, Love Singapore

With a new Singapore cityscape emerging, the Ministry of National Development will embark on a programme called "My New Singapore" to encourage Singaporeans to revisit places to experience the new developments.

The URA will kick off the programme with its "My Endearing Home" Roving Exhibition at major malls from May to August this year. Meanwhile, the Housing & Development Board will conduct a series of roving exhibitions to various locations in the heartlands from March to July to show how HDB neighbourhoods have evolved and improved over the years. The exhibitions also present new plans for public housing in the future. For their part, NParks will organise a series of events and activities in conjunction with the completion of regional parks and park connectors.

"It's about rediscovering, reconnecting, rekindling what Singaporeans have always loved. I hope that when Singaporeans rediscover Singapore, we will realise what a special little city we have, and perhaps we will love our city even more," Mr Mah said.

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