HDB’s Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) has come to Tampines Neighbourhood 9, and residents there were thrilled to hear about the rejuvenation plans for their estate. Not only will their families be able to enjoy new facilities at their doorstep, they will also have a say in what kind of facilities they would like to have.
Tampines residents were presented with three architectural designs to vote on. These were selected from over 30 entries submitted. At least 75 percent of residents should vote for the final design in order for the work to proceed. The results of the consensus gathering exercise and the winning display will be announced in the fourth quarter of 2009.
The concept for this NRP stemmed from a competition, held last year in September, which invited fresh and creative ideas from residents and nearby Temasek Polytechnic students to enhance the neighbourhood.
Among these was a winsome idea of a water park from Ong Jun Wei, a 21 year-old Interior Architectural and Design student at Temasek Polytechnic, who walked away with the runner-up prize. “It was quite a tough project, but I’m happy with the results. My concept is built around the idea of water and how it brings people together, especially children, who love to play with water.”
Mdm Jennifer Ang, who has lived in Tampines for the last 10 years, was won over completely over by the child-friendly water park concept design. “I have two young children so I would like to see facilities like water-play areas and green open spaces,” she said. “The thought of being able to have a water park just two minutes from her home is not just refreshing but exciting too.”
Uniquely Tampines
With 38 blocks involved, Tampines N9 is the biggest neighbourhood thus far to undergo the NRP. Mr. Masagos Zulkifli, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Home Affairs and Chairman of Tampines Town Council explained that effort was made to ensure that residents are given more choices and that the process was consultative.
Ong Jun Wei’s sister, Stephanie Ong, could not agree more. Having lived in Tampines all her life, she was enthusiastic about the upgrading plans. “This exercise will encourage more interaction from us residents which will help create a stronger sense of ownership and because the upgrading is fully funded by the government, we will not have to pay a single cent.”
NRP Update
Speaking at the launch of the Tampines NRP public consultation exercise on 4 September 09, National Development Minister and MP for Tampines GRC Mr Mah Bow Tan stressed that the Government was committed to rejuvenating HDB estates, even during times of economic uncertainty.
He noted that the number of projects selected this year is almost double the earlier batch of seven last year. About 23,000 households across 13 HDB estates islandwide will see improvements to their neighbourhoods, from new covered linkways and drop-off porches to new playgrounds and fitness corners – a facelift that will cost some $86 million for the Government.
The NRP was first announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during his National Day Rally in 2007, and is part of a key initiative to renew middle-aged towns such as Tampines and Yishun.