Future Developments in Singapore
This article shows the main future developments in the city of Singapore. Most developments are found in the New Downtown, the Marina Bay.
View of Marina Centre at night
Model of the future Marina Bay at URA Gallery.
Commercial developments
Ocean Financial Centre
The Ocean Financial Centre will be located at the Raffles Place MRT Station and will primarily house financial companies. It is 43 storeys high and it is expected to be completed in mid 2011.
One Raffles Place (Tower 2)
One Raffles Place (Tower 2) will be constructed on the site of the previous OUB Centre, and once completed (alongside the existing OUB Centre), the entire complex will be renamed One Raffles Place. The new tower will be 38 storeys tall with a height of 205m. The design is dominated by a triangular pattern on the façade that give it a prism-like effect, tricking the eye into thinking it is a less regularly shaped building. This is emphasised by the way the outer façade touches the ground at an acute point and the way the top section of the skyscraper leans towards the OUB Center. The tower was designed by Tange Associates and SAA Architects and completion of One Raffles Place (Tower 2) is expected in Q2 2011.
Marina Bay Financial Centre
The Marina Bay Financial Centre, is a multi-phase development located along Marina Boulevard at Marina Bay, Singapore. It will be the largest office development to date in the city in terms of gross floor area when fully completed. Tower 1, 2 and Marina Bay Residences was completed in 2010 while Tower 3 and Marina Bay Suites is expectted to be complete in 2013.
Asia Square
Asia Square, located in Marina Bay, is a twin-tower mixed-use development that comprises 2,000,000 square feet (190,000 m2) of grade A office space, a 280-room five-star hotel, 60,000 square feet (5,600 m2) of retail space and 'The Cube', a 100,000-square-foot (9,300 m2) open public space used for networking or relaxing with a regular programme of exhibitions and performances. Tower 1 will be completed by 2011 while Tower 2 will be completed by 2013.
South Beach
South Beach is a planned commercial and residential complex to be located on Beach Road in the Downtown Core of Singapore. The new development will comprise offices, two hotels, shops and residences. The complex is scheduled for completion in 2016.
Leisure and entertainment
Changi Motorsports Hub
The Changi Motorsports Hub houses the Singapore's first permanent racing track. It is situated next to the Changi Exhibition Centre. The site features a 20,000 spectators grandstand, a 4 km grade 2 race track, a 1.2 km karting track and lifestyle attractions like food and beverage outlets, a beach front and a museum. It is expected to be ready in end-2011. However, construction is on hold due to the outstanding fees not paid to the construction company.
Sports HubThe Singapore Sports Hub at Kallang will replace the National Stadium of Singapore. The expected year of completion was 2011 but later delayed till 2014. On 19 January 2008, it was announced that the Singapore Sports Hub consortium would develop the Sports Hub.
Jurong Lake District
The Urban Redevelopment Authority announced on 4 April 2008 the blueprint for Jurong Lake District. The vision for Jurong Lake District is to transform it into a 360 hectare unique lakeside destination for business and leisure in the next 10 to 15 years. It will be the largest commercial hub outside the city.
River Safari
Asia's first river-themed park, River Safari, is situated beside the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, in Mandai. The park will feature more than 300 plant species and 500 animal species. River Safari will also be home to the Giant Pandas from China when they arrive by the third quarter of 2011 as part of a joint collaboration with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. The park is expected to be ready by first half of 2012.
Transport
Circle MRT Line (CCL)
The Circle MRT Line, which is already under construction, will be Singapore's fourth Mass Rapid Transit line. It will open in five phases and is set to be fully operational in 2012. The third phase (CC12 to CC16) has commenced operations on 28th May 2009. It is expected to reduce travel time for those not going to the city center and to reduce congestion by allowing passengers to bypass the crowded central area stations. The first and second phases (CC1 to CC11) are now also in operation, while the fourth and fifth phases (CC17 to CC29) are to open in the fourth quarter of 2011. The extension from Promenade station to Bayfront and Marina Bay stations is expected to open in 2012.
Originally projected to cost $6.7 billion, the budget has been increased a number of times due to increases in the price of sand, gravel, and concrete. The line will be 33.3 km in length and service 29 stations. It will start from the Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station and end at the HarbourFront MRT Station, interchanging at Paya Lebar MRT Station, Serangoon MRT Station, Bishan MRT Station and Buona Vista MRT Station.
Downtown MRT Line (DTL)
The Downtown MRT Line is a future 33-station Mass Rapid Transit line, with 11 stations linked to the existing MRT network. It is estimated to cost $1.4 billion, and is slated for construction once the Circle Line is complete. It is expected to be fully completed by 2017. It will connect the north-west and east of the island to the central business district and Marina Bay. Its schematic profile, station names as well as alpha-numeric and end-destination codes are subject to confirmation.
Most of the stations will be underground to optimise land use and minimise land acquisition. When completed, the DTL will add 40 km to the current network's 109 km of track as well as the upcoming Circle Line's 37 km. The Land Transport Authority claims the DTL will enhance accessibility to the new downtown, cut travel time and improve connectivity on the existing MRT network.
The first stage will feature 6 stations, connecting Bugis MRT Station to Chinatown MRT Station via Marina South, interchanging at Promenade MRT Station. It will mainly serve people who are going to the Marina Bay Financial Centre and Marina Bay Sands.
The second stage will feature 12 stations, connecting Bukit Panjang to the Downtown area via Bukit Timah, interchanging at Little India MRT Station, Newton MRT Station and Botanic Gardens MRT Station. It will mainly serve people going Downtown from the western part of Singapore. It will also reduce traffic jams along Bukit Timah Road.
The third stage will feature 15 stations, connecting eastern areas of Singapore such as Tampines, Bedok Reservoir and MacPherson to the Downtown area, interchanging at MacPherson MRT Station, Tampines MRT Station and Expo MRT Station. The complete line should be completed by late 2017.
Gali Batu Depot
Gali Batu Depot is a 21 hectare MRT depot located in the Kwong Hou Sua Teochew Cemetery off Woodlands Road. Therefore, many graves in the cemetery have to be exhumed. Exhumation of graves started in December 2008 and construction will start in the first quarter of 2009. It is slated for completion by 2015 to serve the Downtown MRT Line.
Eastern Region Line (ERL)
On 27 April 2007, plans for the Eastern Region MRT Line were revived, this time consisting only of the southern half of what was a continuous loop involving Stage 3 of the Downtown Line. The new 21-kilometre route will have 12 stations, commencing from Marina South and onwards to Marina East, Tanjong Rhu, Siglap, Marine Parade and Bedok South, terminating further north at Changi.[10] The underground line is expected to be completed by 2020. This will increase accessibility to the East Coast areas, where there is currently no direct MRT link.
Thomson Line (TSL) Also announced was the new Thomson MRT Line which will extend from the western end of the Eastern Region MRT Line and link it to the northern part of Singapore. En-route, the 27-kilometre line will connect from Marina South through the Central Business District and up through Ang Mo Kio all the way to Woodlands connecting estates such as Sin Ming, Kebun Baru, Thomson and Kim Seng which do not now have a direct MRT link. Completion of the 18-station line, also fully underground, is expected in 2018.
Tuas Extension (East West Line)
On 25 January 2008, the government announced a further 14-kilometre extension beyond Joo Koon Station into Tuas, involving the building of another five stations. The latest extension is slated for completion by 2016, with provisions made for a future branch line into Tuas South.
The Tuas Extension will be fully elevated.
Marina Bay Extension (North South Line)
It is announced that North South MRT Line will be extended by a kilometre southwards beyond Marina Bay MRT Station to serve the Marina Bay area, such as the new International Cruise Terminal which is currently under construction. The extension will involve one new station planned for completion by 2014.
The Marina Bay Extension will be fully underground.
Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE)
The 5 km Marina Coastal Expressway will be built along the coastal lines of the new downtown, and will link the area to the eastern and western parts of Singapore. It is stated for completion by end 2013. It will connect Kallang–Paya Lebar Expressway and Ayer Rajah Expressway, passing through Marina South and Marina East.
North–South Expressway (NSE)
The 21 km North–South Expressway will stretch from Woodlands and Sembawang to the western end of the East Coast Parkway, relieving traffic on the congested Central Expressway. It is slated for completion by 2020.
Changi Airport Terminal Four
There have been plans to build a new passenger terminal, Terminal Four, at Singapore Changi Airport. The details for the construction is that it might have to be extended out onto Changi East where there is now a big empty plot of land. There may be also plans to build another runway.
International Cruise Terminal
The International Cruise Terminal, Singapore will be constructed in the Marina South area, near the existing Marina South Pier. Following complaints from international cruise line companies about poor facilities at the Singapore Cruise Centre, the new terminal will be large enough to accommodate the largest cruise ships in the world and is believed to help position Singapore as the homeport for many Asian cruise companies. It will double the present number of cruise berths. Work is scheduled to begin in June 2008 and is slated for completion by 2010.
On 18th March 2009, authorities have revealed the International Cruise Terminal's design. The roof of the terminal will depict a modern interpretation of low rolling waves. This will provide a welcoming sight to passengers as they arrive in Singapore by cruise. This will also add to the distinctive Downtown skyline that includes the Marina Bay Sands, the Singapore Flyer and more. Groundbreaking is expected to take place in the second quarter, and the whole terminal is slated for completion by end 2011.
Other developments
Serangoon and Punggol Reservoirs
Serangoon Reservoir and Punggol Reservoir will be the 16th and 17th reservoir in Singapore. The Serangoon Reservoir is formed by damming up the estuary of Sungei Serangoon, and the Punggol Reservoir is formed by damming up the estuary of the Sungei Punggol. Both projects are slated for completion by 2011.
Punggol 21
Punggol 21 is a development initiative that plans to develop the mostly undeveloped town of Punggol into a residential new town. Currently, the southern parts of Punggol are developed, mostly with HDB flats. There are ongoing projects to build a town centre, supposedly with an air-conditioned bus interchange. There is going to be a man-made canal dug through Punggol, connecting the future Serangoon Reservoir and Punggol Reservoir. Many developments are proposed to be built along the canal, such as shopping centers and many more HDB flats. There will be recreation clubs, community centers, sports clubs, polyclinics and many others, attracting many people to live and visit Punggol. There are plans to develop Punggol Point, which currently only has a beach. It will propose to have a seafood restaurant and maybe more HDB flats in the near vicinity. More parking lots are under construction, and this will attract many people to the presently remote beach. The northwest of Punggol will be developed and the West Loop of the Punggol LRT Line will be in operation, serving the area.
Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is an ongoing project that includes the building of three major parks at Marina Centre, Marina South and Marina East, mostly on the coastal areas of Marina Bay. Groundbreaking started in November 2007, and the first phase of the Marina South Gardens is slated for completion by end 2010. It surrounds the coasts of Marina Bay, and they are linked by bridges built over the bay and rivers, such as the Marina Barrage and The Helix Bridge mentioned above. It will take up 94 hectares of land altogether, with 54 hectares in Marina South, 30 hectares at Marina East and 10 hectares at Marina Centre.
Gardens by the Bay at Marina South
The Gardens by the Bay at Marina South is designed by UK-based design firm Grant Associates. It will be the future permanent home of the Singapore Garden Festival. It is linked to the Gardens at Marina Centre by The Helix Bridge and the Gardens at Marina East by the Marina Barrage. There are a few main attractions at the Marina Bay Gardens:
Firstly, there are the SuperTrees. They are tree-like structures which height range from 25 to 50 metres. They are vertical gardens and will provide shade and shelter, which is especially important for a tropical country like Singapore. They will also be embedded with sustainable energy and water technologies, like collecting rainwater on the roof, which are integral to the cooling of the Cool Conservatories. At night, these SuperTrees will come alive with lighting and projected media. People might even be able to eat and drink on the roof of the SuperTrees.
Secondly, the Cool Conservatories is an architectural icon that houses many varieties of plants and trees. It showcases sustainable energy technology too. Since it is located in an enclosed space, visitors do not have to worry about the weather. It will provide an “edutainment” space within the Gardens, a combination of education and entertainment, where people can rest and relax and also learn more about plant biology. It will consist of a “Cool Moist” Conservatory taking up 0.9 hectares and a “Cool Dry” Conservatory taking up 1.4 hectares of space, and will display plants and flowers from the Tropical Montane and Mediterranean environments.
Thirdly, the Horticultural Show Gardens, taking up 2.6 hectares of land, will showcase the best of tropical horticulture and garden artistry. It will be made up of 'Lion Grove', consisting of a cluster of SuperTrees, 'The Orchidetum', a luxurious garden showcasing orchids, 'Pride of Singapore', a cluster of beautiful gardens and flower displays representing the very best of Singaporean horticulture and 'Global Garden Display', a mix of both permanent and temporary themed gardens in and around the entrance plaza to the main buildings that represents global awareness of horticulture and plant conservation.
Fourthly, the Plant Edutainment Gardens, taking up 2.5 hectares, is a combination of education and entertainment, and will focus on the theme of “Plant use by Man”. They will provide an interactive display of the 'economic plants' that have contributed to the development of Singapore and Southeast Asia for education.
Also, there will be a Flower Market, taking up 2.8 hectares of land, which will eventually be the main entry precinct into the Gardens. It will consist of an indoor events space, retail and various food and beverage outlets.
Lastly, the Main Events Space will be a 2 hectare event lawn with a stage. It can host up to 7,000 people during international and national events.
Gardens by the Bay at Marina East
The Gardens by the Bay at Marina East is designed by UK-based design firm Gustafson Porter. It will be a waterfront park that is connected to East Coast Park. This watersports themed park will allow for activities such as canoeing, water skiing, sculling and dragon boat races to be conducted along the Channel. It will also feature a number of artificial waterfalls and a wading pool. It is linked to the Gardens at Marina South by the Marina Barrage.
Gardens by the Bay at Marina Centre
The Gardens by the Bay at Marina Centre will have a waterfront promenade called Marina Promenade stretching 2.8 km. It houses the Singapore Flyer, The Float at Marina Bay and Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay. It is linked to the Gardens at Marina by the Double Helix Bridge.
Others
Other developments include the Reflections at Keppel Bay, Seafront living at Woodlands, Youth Olympic Games Village, Jurong General Hospital, Nex, Jurong Entertainment Centre and Singapore University of Technology and Design.
