Changes in Planning Parameters for Land Use for Residential, Leisure, Community and Transport Infrastructures
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Gan Thiam Poh's inquiry regarding potential changes to new town planning parameters for residential, leisure, community, and transport infrastructures. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee explained that agencies regularly review plans to address emerging trends, such as an ageing population and lifestyle shifts accelerated by COVID-19. These changes include increased remote work and online shopping, which have altered commuting patterns and home delivery frequencies. Planners are currently studying how these shifts affect neighbourhood design to ensure facilities remain adequate and well-placed. The government will continue monitoring these developments to ensure town planning meets the evolving needs and aspirations of Singaporeans.
Transcript
32 Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development whether there is a change of new town development planning parameters in terms of land use for residential, leisure, community and transport infrastructures.
Mr Desmond Lee: In developing HDB towns and estates, HDB works closely with agencies such as URA, LTA, PA, NParks and SportSG to ensure that residents have convenient access to a range of facilities, such as amenities, parks, schools and community facilities.
Government agencies review these plans regularly, taking into consideration changing needs and emerging trends, to ensure that they remain relevant and continue to meet the evolving needs and aspirations of Singaporeans. With changing needs due to an ageing population, we had, prior to COVID-19, already started adapting our local facilities to meet such needs. In recent years we saw lifestyle changes arising from freelance work and digitalisation. COVID-19 has now greatly accelerated these lifestyle changes. More people are working remotely, which has led to changes in commuting travel patterns. More people are shopping online, resulting in more small deliveries to homes. Our planners are studying how these changes in activity patterns may affect the way neighbourhoods and spaces should be designed and planned.
URA, HDB and the relevant agencies will continue to keep a close watch on such changes to ensure that the facilities in our towns are adequate and well-placed to accommodate population needs as well as changing trends.