"A New Singapore: New City, Better Life"

URA Chairman Mr Alan Chan
URA Colleagues
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

Introduction

1     This time last year, at the 2008 Corporate Plan Seminar, the economy was booming, the property market was lively, and the mood was buoyant. Against this backdrop, I spoke about our strategies for the future, and I introduced the plans for the rejuvenated Jurong Lake District. How times have changed. We are now in the midst of a global economic slowdown. Governments across the world are scrambling to tackle this crisis, introducing billion dollar stimulus packages. The recent G-20 Summit in London, unprecedented in its scope, announced coordinated measures to boost demand and to reform the international financial system. These are positive developments. But the consensus opinion is that it will take some time for the global economy to rebuild itself and resume healthy levels of growth.

2     Singapore has not been spared from the global economic storm, for we are very much a part of this inter-connected world. We are a key trading, transport and logistics hub, and we manufacture for the world.  The growth forecast for this year has been downgraded again to between -9 to -6 percent. But we have responded swiftly and resolutely to the crisis. The Government has put in place a $20.5 billion Resilience Package. This will help displaced workers retrain and get new jobs. Our focus is clear. We want to save jobs, by helping companies reduce costs, obtain credit, and enhance their cash flow. We have also invested in infrastructure projects, which will boost the economy and create further jobs. We will invest $18-20 billion in infrastructure projects this year, and we plan to invest another S$15 to S$17 billion each year in 2010 and 2011.

Planning Ahead for Recovery
3     Some have said, "a crisis is a terrible thing to waste". Indeed, this is a test of our mettle as a people, and also an opportunity for us to re-think our strategies and re-set our priorities. We need to do this, so that when the crisis is over, as it will be, we will be ready for the future. Just as good times do not last forever, neither do bad times. What will distinguish us as a country and a people is not just how we grapple with the immediate problems, but also how we deal with what happens after the crisis. We must be ready for the competition when the good times return. And to do this, we must get back to basics; we must rely on our strengths.

4     One of Singapore's key strengths is our long-term, integrated planning approach. Few cities in the world have a holistic planning framework like ours, where technical agencies come together to plan the land use and infrastructure needs for our long-term development, and to execute these plans effectively.  It allows us to put in place the necessary infrastructure to seize opportunities for growth when it comes.  One good example of this long-term comprehensive planning approach is Marina Bay. We reclaimed the land some 30 years ago, and started planning the development and infrastructure for the Bay just before the start of the last downturn in 2000. Despite the dismal economic climate, we remained focused on building up Marina Bay. And because we planned ahead, we were able to attract foreign investments into the Bay when the economy was booming between 2005 and 2007.

5     Similarly, even in this current downturn, we must not stop planning for the future. Last year, we gazetted the Master Plan. This year, URA will initiate a new round of reviews of the longer term Concept Plan with various ministries and government agencies to prepare us for the future. The review will examine our land use and infrastructure needs to cater to the changing profile of our resident population and economy. The lifestyles and aspirations of different segments of the population have evolved. The ultimate aim is to ensure that we will continue to have a good quality living environment in Singapore, one that takes into account the needs of a growing population, suitable for both young families and for an ageing population.

6     As part of Concept Plan 2011, URA will also actively seek views from the public. What are their aspirations for Singapore? What are their ideas on how we can further improve the quality of life here? How do we, collectively, make this the best home for all of us? We want to hear from them. We want their inputs.

Remaking Singapore into a Future Ready City
7     The competitiveness of Singapore will depend more and more on whether we can transform our city into a producer of ideas, and not just a producer of goods and services. What kind of world will we live in 10 or 20 years from now? How can Singapore remain relevant and useful in this new world? How do we make ourselves future-ready?

8     I believe cities will play an increasingly prominent role in the future global landscape. Talents, ideas, and capital will be concentrated in a network of highly inter-connected global cities that will serve as centres of economic growth and innovation. Among these would be established cities like London, New York, and Tokyo, but they could also include emerging cities like Shanghai, Dubai, and Hong Kong.

9     Singapore must be in this network of global cities. We should be a key node where capital, ideas, and talents congregate, interacting with other nodes to create new ideas and new value. To do this, our long term plans must go beyond physical investments in infrastructure and new buildings, towards the creation of a high quality living environment – one that is exciting and inspiring for both Singaporeans and visitors alike.   

10     Our efforts to remake Singapore must therefore continue in both good times and bad.  Indeed, as a result of forward planning and effective and consistent implementation, a new Singapore city is taking shape, and taking shape fast. Let me elaborate on the key aspects of this transformation.

11     First, we will soon see a new iconic signature skyline in the heart of our city at Marina Bay.  The double helix bridge, the Art Park, the Gardens by the Bay, and the new waterfront promenade will be progressively completed by 2011. The Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort and the first phase of Marina Bay Financial Centre will be operational by 2010.  This will not only transform our skyline, but also create new jobs and opportunities for many. We have invested close to S$5.7 billion in infrastructure works in Marina Bay so far. We will continue to invest more to support its future growth and to enhance connectivity with the existing city. These steps include building the Common Services Tunnel, bridges, promenades, and a new road and rail network.

12     Our city's retail heart in Orchard Road will be rejuvenated. This started with the sale of three sites in 2005 and 2006, soon to be transformed into new mega complexes; namely the ION Orchard, Orchard Central, and Somerset Central. All three developments will inject vibrancy to Orchard's retail offerings, and help propel Orchard Road to become one of the best shopping streets in the world. Singaporeans can also chill out at the 'streetside' cafes at the Discovery Walk at Orchard Central and Somerset Central, a 270m thoroughfare situated above the canal at Somerset. At the other end of Orchard Road, the open space above the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station will reopen, featuring a sculptural outdoor amphitheatre and an F&B pavilion, playing host to community events, performances, and other activities.

13     Second, we will have a new generation of regional commercial districts. Let me take Jurong Lake District as an example. Despite the downturn, the Government will press ahead with its plans to catalyze the development of the area. Residents in the area can look forward to better connectivity within 3 years. The upgrading of the existing Jurong East MRT station has started. When completed in 2011, it will increase the capacity of the MRT station and the frequency of train services. The bus interchange will be redeveloped within the next 1 to 2 years, leading to better integration with the MRT station. New roads and utilities services will also be built soon to serve new developments in the district.

14     Singaporeans can also look forward to lakeside living and entertainment at the Jurong Lake very soon. Even as I speak, PUB is carrying out works to enhance the northern and western banks of Jurong Lake with new boardwalks, wetlands and other recreational facilities. The lake will be transformed by next year, and Singaporeans can enjoy a variety of water-based activities on the lake itself.  Planning works for the Jurong General Hospital and the new Science Centre next to the Chinese Garden MRT station have also started. The new hospital is expected to complete by 2015, while the new Science Centre is expected to be ready within the next few years.

15     Third, our city will become an even more exciting playground. Singaporeans will enjoy a wider range of leisure and recreation options. The Gardens by the Bay are taking shape fast, and the first phase will be completed by 2011. Our park connector network will be tripled to 300km over the next 5-10 years, joining up into a continuous loop around the island. There will be new tourism attractions, with an enhanced Mandai cluster featuring a new river safari complementing the existing zoo and night safari. This first freshwater river-themed attraction is expected to open in 2011.

16     The Southern Waterfront will be transformed with added lifestyle attractions at Bukit Chermin and the Harbourfront precinct, and the opening of Resorts World at Sentosa. With the tremendous success and popularity of the Henderson Waves and Alexandra Arch along the Southern Ridges, URA will build the Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk. This will also be ready by 2011. The series of connections will provide a seamless link across the Southern Ridges, and from Alexandra Road to the waterfront at Bukit Chermin. It consists of a garden trail along Alexandra Road, a mangrove trail along Berlayer Creek, and a boardwalk at the sea off Bukit Chermin. Singaporeans will be able to enjoy the greenery and rustic charm of these areas, as well as take in the waterfront views of Sentosa and Keppel Bay.

17     Over at Sentosa, the island will continue to remake itself to become a premier lifestyle island destination. Resorts World will open by 2010. Families, young and old alike, can enjoy themselves at Universal Studios, Singapore. The integrated resort will also include a maritime museum, a marine life park, a water park and different venues for live shows and performances. Sentosa Development Corporation will bring in new attractions, such as the Wave House and Sky Venture, simulating surf boarding and sky diving respectively for the more adventurous visitors.

18     Finally, the immediate neighbourhoods where many Singaporeans live will be transformed.  In the heartlands, plans for the Remaking Our Heartland (ROH) programme are taking shape.  In Punggol, for example, works to create the Punggol Waterway has started, and the first HDB eco-precinct, Treelodge@Punggol, will be completed by the end of next year.  Elsewhere, major towns like Dawson, Clementi and Yishun are being revitalized too.

19     Residents can also look forward to more leisure and recreational facilities around our neighbourhoods. URA is actively developing some scenic walks along the coastline. Come 2010, Singaporeans can look forward to a picturesque stroll along the new Punggol Coastal Promenade and Park at Punggol Point. The 4.9km promenade will connect the proposed sports and recreational clusters at Punggol Point and Punggol East. This will form part of the North Eastern Park Connector loop.  It will provide a continuous walk along the Punggol coastline, with a lookout point to the sea from the tiered boardwalk at Punggol Point.

20     Similarly, residents at Woodlands can look forward to a new waterfront recreational playground at their doorstep. A 1.5 km promenade and a nine-hectare park along a tranquil stretch of coastline in Woodlands will offer unobstructed views of the Johor Straits.

"My New Singapore" Programme: See Singapore, Love Singapore
21     In summary, we will have a new Singapore cityscape emerging over the next few years. And I am not talking about any other city, but our very own Singapore. All of us can look forward to an exciting new city.

22     This year, Singapore will play host to the APEC summit, while next year, we will host the young participants of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. Our friends from around the world will be able to see and visit Singapore. Let us share with them our new cityscape proudly, and show them this exciting city that we call home.

23     As our city transforms, there is much we can look forward to and treasure in Singapore. I know Singaporeans like to travel, visit other cities to shop, eat and sightsee. During this downturn, it is perhaps timely for Singaporeans to take time to get to know our city better and enjoy what this city has to offer, and possibly save some money at the same time.  So let us do the same right here at home – shop, eat, sightsee, travel around, revisit places we have not visited for a long time, and even discover new surprises.

24     I am happy to announce that MND will launch a programme called "My New Singapore" to encourage Singaporeans to rediscover Singapore. The programme will comprise a series of events and activities to reach out to Singaporeans, and invite everyone to see new developments and visit new leisure destinations. We will show Singaporeans the plans for their neighbourhoods, bring them to see the new Marina Bay, and let them enjoy the parks and park connectors. I hope that when Singaporeans rediscover Singapore, we will realize what a special little city we have, and perhaps, we will love our city even more.

25     URA will kick off the “My Endearing Home” Roving Exhibition at major malls from May to August this year. This exhibition will present a chance for Singaporeans to learn about the plans for the city and their immediate neighbourhoods, and discover that there is much to treasure on our island. As part of this roving exhibition, Singaporeans will also be able to sign up for community activities, including visits to various destinations across our island, such as Sungei Buloh, the Southern Ridges, and Changi Boardwalk.

26     2010 will be a milestone year for Marina Bay with the completion of many key projects. As the development agency for Marina Bay, URA is planning a landmark Marina Bay Festival in the later part of 2010, which will comprise a series of events and activities that will showcase the waterfront promenade and new developments to locals and foreign visitors.

27     Next year, for its part, HDB will conduct a series of roving exhibitions to various locations in the heartlands from March to July. The exhibitions will show how our HDB neighbourhoods have evolved and improved over the years, and present the new plans for public housing in the future.

28     We are moving fast, but a new Singapore does not mean that we forget about our heritage.  The new must co-exist with, and enhance the old.  One inspires us with hope for the future. The other 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. The past remains very much a part of our present and future. Key facets of our heritage must be preserved and built upon. We do this, even as we seek to redevelop our cityscape, and regenerate ourselves into a future-ready city.

29     One distinctive feature that makes Singapore special is our greenery. NParks will press on with its efforts to green Singapore and conserve our natural heritage. Under the "My New Singapore" programme, NParks will organize a series of events and activities in conjunction with the completion of regional parks and park connectors. In June this year, NParks will mount a competitive event with ESPN to officially launch the new Extreme Skate Park at East Coast. In July, NParks and PUB will share with Singaporeans the redevelopment plans to integrate Bishan Park with Kallang River. Beyond these, NParks will also work with grassroots organizations to reach out to Singaporeans, so that all can experience new additions to our park connector network. These include the Western Adventure Park Connector Network that links the parks in western Singapore, which will be completing in November this year. There’s also the Northern Loop that links parks in the north, which will be completed next year. Slowly but surely, we will stitch all these park connectors together into one giant island-wide park connector.

URA: Planner, Shaper, Mover
30     The exciting new Singapore we have is the fruit of the hard work of our various agencies, including URA, HDB, NParks, LTA and PUB, to name a few.  Together with its partner agencies and public stakeholders, URA has contributed significantly in shaping Singapore’s physical landscape over the last 35 years.

31     URA is now ready to expand its role both domestically and overseas. Within Singapore, URA will move beyond planning and infrastructure development to undertake "place management". "Place management" refers to the harnessing of the skills and resources of the public and private sectors to create places and areas that are economically and socially vibrant. In addition to URA’s usual role as a master planner and infrastructure provider, URA will also work with stakeholders on "softer" initiatives, such as branding, marketing and events programming.

32     URA is already undertaking the place management of Marina Bay. It will expand its portfolio to include the Singapore River. URA will also chair a co-ordinating forum to align and synergise the place management efforts of partner agencies at Orchard Road and the Civic District-Bras Basah/Bugis areas.

33     Beyond our shores, URA will play a bigger role internationally. URA's planning expertise is much sought after outside of Singapore. It has played a leading role in the master planning of projects like the Tianjin Eco-City, which draws on Singapore’s experience in integrated planning and urban management. To provide more focussed support for such overseas projects, the Planning Services Unit of URA has been expanded into the URA Consulting Group, to better support bilateral projects and to help local companies to expand their services beyond Singapore. URA will also consolidate its professional training for both local and international participants under the Urban Leadership Programme to share Singapore's urban planning experience.

Conclusion: Planning for the Future Starts Today
34     Looking back on the work we have done in the past 35 years, there is much that URA can be proud of. Here, I want to publicly recognise the dedicated planners and staff of URA. They are not only the planners, but also the movers and shapers who bring plans into reality, who build a new city, and who help to bring about a better life and new opportunities for our people.

35     The Corporate Plan Seminar is an occasion for all of us who have a stake in this city to mark our milestone achievements, take stock of the challenges we face, and plan ahead for our future.  Together, each one of us can do our part to shape Singapore into a great little city we call Home.

36     Thank you.

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