Professor Sing Tien Foo on URA's draft master plan

Key Concepts

• URA Draft Master Plan
• Identity Corridors (Historic East, Kalang River, Inner Ring)
• Heritage Conservation
• Adaptive Reuse
• Net Steel Factory
• Singapore Turf Club
• Pacipanjang English School
• Jurong Bird Park Redevelopment
• Active Mobility
• Sustainable Commuting

New Housing and Community Hubs

• At least 80,000 new homes will be built across Singapore in the next 10-15 years, including near Orchard Road.
• New integrated community hubs will be established in Woodlands North, Yew Tee, and Sengkang, combining health, sports, retail, and recreational facilities.

Identity Corridors

• Singaporeans can explore three new "identity corridors" to better understand the country's distinct character.
• Historic East Identity Corridor:
  • A new pedestrian mall will be created along East Coast Road, between I12 Katong and Katong V shopping centers.
  • A new public space will be developed for community events and activities.
• Kalang River Identity Corridor:
  • A new waterfront park will be built along the Kallang River between Serangoon Road and Bendemeer Road.
  • New cycling paths and improvements along the riverbank near St. Andrew's Village will enhance the waterfront experience.
• Inner Ring Identity Corridor:
  • Wider walking and cycling paths will be added to Zion Road to improve accessibility.
  • More cycling paths will be added in the Orchard area and Lavender Street by 2030.
  • URA plans to release a guide by 2030 to help people learn about the unique history of these places.

Heritage Conservation Efforts

• The former sites of Net Steel factory, Government English School, and horse racing venue will be conserved.
• A new framework guides conservation efforts, grouping buildings under four themes: economy, housing, defense, and social.

Net Steel Factory

• Net Steel was Singapore's first heavy industry factory and the sole supplier of steel for housing in the 1960s.
• It also provided materials for Changi Airport and the first MRT system.
• The roof design was an engineering feat, using steel for a large structure while adapting to the tropical climate.
• URA is exploring options for adaptive reuse to allow public appreciation of the building's significance.
• "This is not a journey for Net Steel, this is also a journey for Singapore."

Singapore Turf Club

• 20 buildings from the former Singapore Turf Club have been proposed for conservation, including the fairways quarters.
• Preserving architectural elements that reflect the building's identity and history is important.

Pacipanjang English School

• Opened in 1933, Pacipanjang English School is slated for conservation as part of the social element in URA's new guide.
• Integrating the school into the new residential landscape will give it a new lease of life.
• Preserving old buildings and neighborhoods helps establish and reaffirm Singapore's identity.
• Conservation requires retaining a building's significance by combining its function and identity markers.

Jurong Bird Park Redevelopment

• The former Jurong Bird Park is set for a major makeover, potentially including a greenhouse-style wellness facility.
• A competition sought ideas to reimagine the space, with winning proposals including:
  • Transforming the park into separate zones with a business hub, communal space for emerging firms, and a greenhouse-style wellness facility.
  • Creating underground tunnels connecting different areas with eco-friendly facilities and pedestrian paths, centered around a man-made cave for collaboration.
  • Utilizing small water bodies for water sports, incorporating a multi-story high-tech agricultural farm, and playgrounds with a public zone for recreation between industrial buildings.
• These ideas will guide the site's future use and redevelopment.

Interview with Professor Sing Ten Fu

• Strengthening Neighborhood Identities: Cycling paths and connectivity are important for "active mobility," making neighborhoods more connected and encouraging sustainable commuting.
• The three new identity corridors, along with the existing 18, have unique local charm, preserving memories of how people lived, worked, and played in those areas.
• Heritage Conservation vs. Future Needs: Balancing history and development is always difficult. While many good buildings were demolished for development in the past, the government now recognizes the need to preserve historical heritage.
• Preservation started with large-scale efforts in Little India and Chinatown, and now includes places with historical significance like Net Steel and Pacipanjang English School.
• Adaptive Reuse: Moving forward, it's important to consider how to best adapt and reuse conserved buildings.
• Jurong Bird Park Redevelopment: The Jurong Bird Park and Jurong Hill Towers have unique terrains and greenery, symbolizing Singapore's industrialization.
• It's important to keep the terrain and environment while creating an innovative space that blends work and play.
• The area should be creative, innovative, and environmentally sensitive, unlike traditional industrial areas with factories.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The URA Draft Master Plan outlines Singapore's vision for the next 10-15 years, focusing on new housing, community hubs, and the preservation of its unique identity. Key initiatives include the development of new identity corridors, the conservation of historically significant sites like the Net Steel factory and Pacipanjang English School, and the reimagining of spaces like the Jurong Bird Park. The plan emphasizes a balance between heritage conservation and future development, promoting sustainable commuting, and creating innovative spaces that blend work, play, and environmental sensitivity. Adaptive reuse of conserved buildings is crucial for ensuring their continued relevance and contribution to Singapore's identity.