Tag: Master Plan 2008

Getting Ready for URA Masterplan 2013

I‘m surprised. Everyone that I’ve talked to seem to have forgotten that our priceless URA Master Plan is due for a new gazette this year; From the last update it was done in November 2008, and I hope it should be around the same time that this is happening for this year as well.

Singapore’s Master Plan is updated every 5 year, and with each update comes very important updates that determines the land usage of the country. During 2003, a lot of emphasis was on enhancement on plot ratio around the public transportation stations and for our current 2008 revision, the core was strengthened and determined to decentralize and even out the business hubs around the whole region. The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore (URA) is the statutory board which is in charge of gazetting this important plan. You can read more about Master Plan 2008 here.

Should the timeline be similar, you would be expecting URA to be having a Draft soon for public comments and gazette to happen towards the end of the year.

What Should We Expect from Master Plan 2013?

All these are based on assumptions of what has happened for the past years after 2008. Ministry of National Development has already penned down a very lovely eBook on their focus with each individual sectors (basically everywhere. Central, North, South, East and West) and the concentration of improving existing mature townships. Concentration was done especially on the commercial nodes in the country so as to have people working closer to where they are living around the island. Continue reading “Getting Ready for URA Masterplan 2013” →

URA Gazettes Master Plan 2008

Alas, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) of Singapore has finally gazetted the Master Plan 2008. The draft version of the plan has been online since months back and has already interestingly piped the way that our country will be shaped the next 10 years.

Sunrise from The Sail on 34th floor, construction of Sands Integrated Resort
Sunrise from The Sail on 34th floor, construction of Sands Integrated Resort (photo credit:Tom Bodley)

If you have trouble understanding what is Master Plan from URA, here’s the official textbook definition

“Statutory land use plan that guides physical development of the country for the next 10 to 15 years”

It’s law for developers and anyone that has got to do with land, buildings in the next 10 – 15 years according to the plan.

The online version of Master Plan 2008 was much better than the former 2003 in terms of use. Much clearer when you can actually search for the specific place rather than zooming in to look at the map. I like this change particularly ;)

Plot Ratio Change? Nay

Well, not much plot ratio change has been introduced as compared to former MP 2003. The focus for this plan is to introduce 3 regional hubs into our heartland,  Jurong Lake District, Kallang Riverside and Paya Lebar Central.

I’m no good forecaster, but should this three hubs be established decently and effectively, we can probably see plot ratio increase for buildings that are around the new circle line entrances of new stations that is springing up around the hubs in the next MP 2013.

What’s Gonna Happen In 5 Years Time?

I’ve actually seen work already happening and working around my residential area in Geylang. Part of the leisure plan for water body has already started since months back. We’ll expect to see the landscape of our country changed yet again for the better.

I can’t see any reason why this plan could fail with the successes of the previous MPs, that said with the additional help not only from planners but even the public floor, where 300 feedbacks were taken into serious consideration after the draft Master Plan 2008 exhibition was up since 6 months ago.

Live. Work. Play.

Singapore will evolve for the better. I’m excited with the new changes coming up, are you?