The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has unveiled key proposals under the Draft Master Plan 2019 (DMP19) that focus on planning sustainable, green, inclusive neighbourhoods, rejuvenating familiar places and creating capacity for the future. Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister for National Development and Second Minister for Finance, officiated at the DMP19 exhibition launch..
The exhibition showcases the following key strategies in DMP19: planning liveable, inclusive neighbourhoods, developing economic gateways for the future, rejuvenating familiar places sensitively, building a resilient city and re-imagining the city’s future.
The Draft Master Plan 2019 exhibition is held at The URA Centre Atrium at 45 Maxwell Road from 27 March 2019 to 24 May 2019. The public can provide their feedback on the Draft Master Plan 2019 exhibition and proposals at the URA website. Any objection to or representation concerning any of the proposals for amendment to the Master Plan must be submitted in writing no later than 25 April 2019.
First time to announce underground space plan in building a resilient city
The Minister for National Development said that faced with an increasingly complex environment, Singapore needs to build a resilient city by continually reviewing and enhancing plans to stay relevant to our people’s needs, and be ready to adapt to changing trends.
One strategy to make better use of the land is to free up surface land for people-centric uses by relocating utilities, transport, storage and industrial facilities underground.
“Finally, in order to build capacity for the future, for the first time, in this year’s Master Plan, we are unveiling an underground space plan – focused on three areas, namely Marina Bay, Punggol Digital District and Jurong Innovation District.” Mr Wong said in his speech at the DMP19 launch.
To improve the efficient and effective use of underground space, the URA will tap on 3D technology to facilitate upfront planning of the underground space. They are rolling out 3D underground maps for Marina Bay, Jurong Innovation District and Punggol Digital District, to show the underground uses and planning requirements in these three pilot areas, and make them transparent to developers and building owners. This 3D underground plan will be expanded to include more areas in future.
Real plans to develop Singapore for the future
Mr Wong concluded that “the Master Plan is an exercise to plan ahead and develop for the future. It is not an academic exercise or a theoretical paper exercise. This is a real plan where we come together to build for the future” and stating that “Singapore has transformed from mudflats to metropolis. Now, we are planning ahead for our next phase of transformation, to remake our city and build a better Singapore for the next generation.”
