Work, Live And Play At Paya Lebar Central And Kallang Riverside

Source : The Straits Times, May 23, 2008

These are two new growth areas under URA's Draft Master Plan 2008 for a 'lively yet liveable global city' by 2020

SINGAPOREANS will have two new areas - Paya Lebar Central and Kallang Riverside - to work, live and play, under the URA's Draft Master Plan 2008.
Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan announced details for the two new areas during the launch of the Draft Master Plan 2008 exhibition on Friday morning.

Mr Mah said: 'The Draft Master Plan 08 envisions Singapore in 2020 as a lively yet liveable global city.'

He said the plan will guide Singapore's land use for the next 10, 15 years and ensure that there is enough land to support economic growth.

He added that the plan will also look at providing quality housing and leisure space, as well as cutting down on commuting by bringing jobs closer to where people live.

Paya Lebar Central
The two new growth areas are part of the plan to increase the number of commercial hubs or nodes outside the CDB, said Mr Mah.

Paya Lebar Central will be developed around Paya Lebar MRT station and will have more than 500,000 sq m of commercial floor space within the 12ha zone.

Mr Mah said: 'Paya Lebar Central will be an attractive location for businesses that do not need to be located within the city centre but still want to be close by.'

He added that the area is well known for its local Malay heritage and the URA will encourage new developments to enhance the local character.

There are also plans to incorporate Geylang River into future developments and new public spaces by realigning a stretch of the river to run along new buildings along Tanjong Katong Road.

Kallang Riverside
As for the new Kallang development, Mr Mah said it is part of the Greater Marina Bay District and will be home to the new Sports Hub.

Calling it the next lifestyle destination near the city centre, Mr Mah said: 'About 4,000 new waterfront homes are planned for the area, offering more opportunities for Singaporeans to enjoy city living.'

He also said that there will be space for 3,00 hotel rooms at Kallang, with another 400,000 sq m for a mix of office, retail and entertainment outlets. He added that the former Kallang airport will be conserved and will offer a range of lifestyle and retail facilities.

Keeping familiar places
Mr Mah said that another focus of the URA plan will be to make Singapore 'a home of choice' for Singaporeans.

'To make Singapore an endearing home, the Draft Master Plan will seek to retain places of identity and heritage. Particular emphasis will be placed on retaining familiar places and structures that residents identify with, such as markets within older HDB towns like Queenstown,' said Mr Mah.