Infrastructure & development — Topics

27 Jul 2021

Plans for Zero Emissions Transport System in Jurong Innovation District and Existing Jurong Industrial Areas

The government outlined a three-pronged strategy to achieve zero-emissions transport in Jurong, focusing on promoting walk-cycle-ride modes, expanding public transport including the new Jurong Region Line, and capping vehicle growth while incentivizing electric vehicles (EVs).
The Jurong Innovation District will be a car-lite area with 50% reduced parking norms and an 11-kilometer Sky Corridor for walking and cycling, while the wider Jurong area will become an EV-ready town with charging points in HDB carparks by 2025.
All new public buses since 2020 are electric or hybrid, and future public transport infrastructure like the Tengah Depot will integrate solar panels to offset energy consumption.
In response to a follow-up question, the Minister confirmed that the government is exploring measures to promote EV motorcycles, including swappable batteries, in consultation with industry stakeholders.

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26 Jul 2021

Breakdown of Inpatient Admission Rates and Outpatient Attendance Rates of Singaporean HDB Residents over Age 65 by Flat Type and Residents with Barrier-free Access from Their Homes to Lift Landings

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Health for statistics on outpatient and inpatient service utilisation rates among HDB residents aged 65 and above, broken down by flat type and over the past three years, and for data on barrier-free home-to-lift access.
The Minister responded that service utilisation rates have generally remained stable, with residents of smaller HDB flats showing higher use of inpatient and polyclinic services but lower use of specialist outpatient clinics.
The Government has ensured barrier-free access in new HDB estates and upgraded most blocks via the Lift Upgrading Programme, while offering a Lift Access Housing Grant for the remaining flats without direct lift access.

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26 Jul 2021

Licences and Special Lanes to Improve Safety and Insurance Coverage for Cyclists

The Minister for Transport highlighted that cycling is healthy and environmentally friendly, emphasizing the need to balance cycling facilitation with safety for all road users, including by building more off-road cycling paths and expanding the network to 1,320 km by 2030.
The Active Mobility Advisory Panel is reviewing safety rules for on-road cycling, including licensing, registration, and third-party liability insurance, while consulting stakeholders who have mixed views on the costs and barriers of such measures.
The government will prioritize public education and gracious road behavior, with outcomes of the review to be published in due course, noting that most countries do not impose these measures on cyclists.

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26 Jul 2021

Impact of En Bloc Sales on Environmental Damage and Rise in Housing Prices

The Minister explained that stricter consent thresholds apply to newer buildings, with 90% of owners needed for sales versus 80% for older ones, and that sale outcomes depend on market conditions, developer demand, and price expectations, which can help moderate housing prices by increasing supply.
He noted that every development proposal undergoes a robust planning evaluation process to assess environmental impact, traffic, and other factors, with technical agencies requiring detailed studies before approval.
To minimize environmental damage, Singapore promotes sustainable construction practices, including demolition waste recovery and the BCA Green Mark scheme, achieving over 99% debris recycling in 2020.
The Ministry has not introduced legislation to limit en bloc sales of newer developments, as the existing framework and processes are designed to balance housing needs with environmental responsibility.
The debate highlights the need to manage both housing affordability and environmental sustainability, with current measures focusing on high consent thresholds and green building incentives.

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26 Jul 2021

Update on Introduction and Rollout of EV Common Charger Grant

The EV Common Charger Grant will open for applications on 29 July 2021 to co-fund the installation of up to 2,000 chargers at private residences like condominiums, with 50% reimbursement capped at S$4,000 per charger.
Eligible developments can benefit from the grant for up to 1% of their residential parking lots, with applications to be submitted through the Government’s Business Grants Portal.
The Ministry of Transport will monitor the grant's take-up and effectiveness and consider extending it based on need in the future.

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26 Jul 2021

Design of Common Areas in Residential Areas to Promote Greater Social Interaction

HDB designs common spaces such as community living rooms and precinct pavilions to facilitate social interaction across generations and group sizes, with amenities strategically located for convenience.
HDB continuously reviews its planning norms and communal area designs based on resident needs, introducing features like furnished spaces and co-located facilities to enhance community bonding.
The Sample Household Survey shows consistently high resident satisfaction with interaction spaces, with neighbourly interactions increasingly occurring within blocks, reflecting the effectiveness of current designs.
HDB collects ongoing feedback through surveys and public engagement to evolve community spaces, inviting residents to contribute ideas for future estate designs.

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26 Jul 2021

Increasing Supply for BTO Flats over Next Three Years to Make Up for COVID-19 Construction Delays

Gan Thiam Poh urged HDB to increase BTO flat supply by 10,000 units annually for three years to offset pandemic-related construction delays.
Minister Desmond Lee acknowledged severe disruptions from COVID-19 but confirmed HDB launched about 17,000 flats in 2021 and plans a steady supply without reducing 2022 launches.
Gan Thiam Poh reiterated calls for higher supply to address a growing demand backlog and stabilize prices, while Lee assured ongoing efforts to expedite construction without compromising quality or safety.

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26 Jul 2021

COVID-19 Impact on Construction Costs and Estate Upgrading and Greening Plans

Construction costs in Singapore increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by higher foreign manpower costs from border measures, additional costs and reduced productivity from safe management measures, and rising material prices, though government support packages and legislative reliefs have mitigated some impacts.
Public sector construction and upgrading projects, including public housing, have seen higher tender prices, but the government will not pass these cost increases to flat buyers and is working to keep projects on track while ensuring quality and safety.
The demand for green buildings remains steady, as the cost premium for green certification is small relative to overall costs, and the government is committed to achieving its Singapore Green Plan 2030 targets, with the overall progress on track despite some potential delays.

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6 Jul 2021

Increasing Stock of Flats under Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme to Support Families Affected by BTO Construction Delays

HDB is working with contractors to expedite BTO construction while maintaining quality and safety, and exploring exemptions for quieter weekend construction to mitigate delays.
The Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) prioritizes first-timer applicants in greatest need, with plans to increase temporary housing supply to better support affected flat buyers.
Rental rates for PPHS flats are kept low compared to the open market, and low-income families without options may receive case-by-case support through Interim Rental Housing at around $300 monthly.

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6 Jul 2021

Impact of Recent Outbreaks at Hawker Centres on Infrastructure Enhancement of These Centres

The Senior Minister of State announced the Hawker Centres Transformation Programme (HTP) to improve infrastructure with better spacing, ventilation, and food waste recycling, to be implemented in new and redeveloped centres and trialled in some existing ones.
Existing programmes like the Toilet Improvement Programme (TIP) and Productive Hawker Centres (PHC) are being used to fund better facilities, automated tray returns, and centralised dishwashing to enhance cleanliness and hygiene.
NEA is expanding tray return infrastructure and launching a Clean Tables Campaign, with mandatory tray clearing enforced from September 1, to encourage shared responsibility for hygiene.
The government is urging patrons to maintain personal hygiene and adhere to Safe Management Measures, such as checking in and wearing masks, to protect against public health threats.
Stakeholder engagement and pilot trials will be used to refine the HTP, ensuring solutions effectively reduce crowding and improve conditions in existing centres.

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5 Jul 2021