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Future Challenges

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: ADDENDUM TO THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS – 2 NOVEMBER 2006

MND’s mission is to make Singapore one of the most attractive Asian cities to live, work and play in. We will steer Singapore’s development as a distinctive global city, celebrated for its green and quality living environment, a hub for talent and enterprise, and home for our people. Through our public housing programme, we will continue to provide Singaporeans a stake in the country as well as help foster an inclusive society.

A DISTINCTIVE CITY, A QUALITY ENVIRONMENT

MND will drive Singapore’s development as a distinctive global city by meeting land-use needs, enhancing strategic areas, promoting architecture and urban design excellence, and stepping up our greening efforts.

The Greater Marina Bay area will be a key focus of our efforts. Plans are taking shape with the implementation of the Integrated Resort, the Business and Financial Centre, the pedestrian and vehicular bridges, the Gardens-by-the-Bay, and the Marina Barrage.

We will continue efforts to realize the vision for Orchard Road to be a premier shopping street; transform the Bras Basah-Bugis area into a learning and cultural enclave; create a new commercial node at the Jurong Regional Centre; and provide new leisure options in the rustic Lim Chu Kang and Jurong Lake areas.

Through architectural and urban design excellence, and the conservation of memorable places, we will develop a distinctive city that would engender a sense of pride and belonging in its people.

Given the growing importance of a quality environment in attracting talents, tourists and businesses, MND will initiate measures to create a sustainable and attractive living environment. We will step up our greening efforts and transform Singapore from a Garden City to a “City in a Garden”. We will double our network of park connectors, intensify our streetscape greenery, green our waterways and turn our waterfront parks into exciting recreational venues. We will also develop rooftop greenery and encourage various forms of vertical greening.

We will work with the construction industry to make quality and safety a hallmark of the industry. To create a sustainable built environment, we will promote the development of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly buildings in Singapore. We will also work with key stakeholders to deliver an accessible and user-friendly living environment to meet the needs of an ageing population.

Consistent with the high quality living environment, MND will ensure that the needs for high food safety standards and supply resilience are met. We will continue to improve our food safety management system, and maintain a high level of vigilance to safeguard Singapore against the incursion of the Avian Influenza and other food-borne diseases.

A HOME AND AN INCLUSIVE SOCIETY

Public housing will continue to play a critical role in promoting rootedness and social cohesion among Singaporeans. It gives our people a tangible stake in the country and helps upward social mobility. We will continue to provide affordable and quality public housing, so that 90% of Singaporeans can afford to own an HDB flat.

MND will fine-tune our public housing policies to serve the needs of the different groups of Singaporeans, including low-income families, the elderly, and young couples setting up their first home. We will further expand the range of housing options and encourage financial prudence when buying flats. To meet the needs of an ageing population, we will step up the pace of lift upgrading, develop a barrier-free built environment in HDB estates, and continue to facilitate options for senior citizens to monetize their flats. To meet rising expectations for more variety in public housing, we will progressively liberalise the public housing market to promote greater private sector participation in the design and development of public housing.

Older HDB estates will be rejuvenated through the upgrading programmes and the Selective En-bloc Redevelopment Scheme. This will also be a way for government to enhance the assets of Singaporeans.

Beyond meeting the physical needs of Singaporeans, MND will also enhance the living environment in HDB estates to foster vibrant and cohesive communities. To this end, we will continue to provide communal facilities, and encourage greater participation from residents to cultivate emotional bonds and strengthen community ties. We will also engage citizens by involving them in the greening of their neighbourhoods.

Last updated on 2 November 2006