Government Announces Plans For Jurong Lake District

Source : Channel NewsAsia, 04 April 2008

Jurong is set to be home to the largest commercial hub outside the city centre.

The Jurong Lake District – made up of two precincts, Jurong Gateway and Lakeside – will offer a potential development area of 360 hectares or about the size of Marina Bay.

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan announced this when he unveiled part of the government's ‘Draft Master Plan Review 2008’. The blueprint will guide Singapore's land use over the next 10 to 15 years.

Artist's impression of Lakeside Village

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said that some 750,000 square metres of land will be set aside at Jurong Gateway for offices, hotels, food and beverage, and entertainment uses.

Jurong Gateway will be nearly 2.5 times the size of the Tampines Regional Centre and is expected to attract billions of dollars in investment.

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Speaking at the annual corporate plan seminar, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said decentralisation will be a key planning strategy. This will help bring jobs and recreational options closer to home.

Artist's impression of Jurong Lake District

Under the proposed plan, 1,000 new private apartments will also be built at Jurong Gateway.

Mr Mah said: "That is the initial estimate, but some of the sites around there are white sites. If there is more demand, we will certainly be able to reallocate.

"But all this ultimately will have to depend on the market as well - how the market responds and whether the emphasis of more housing or more office. I think we will have to be guided by the market."

Some 2,800 hotel rooms will also be added in the new district in anticipation of more visitors.

Night view of Jurong Gateway from Japanese Garden

And what will get them coming is a slew of nature-themed and edu-tainment attractions, which will spring up at Lakeside. A new world-class Science Centre will also be built next to the Chinese Garden MRT station.

Visitors can also look forward to lush greenery and water-based activities.

Urban planners said there is a lot going for Jurong as investors will be able to tap into a population catchment of over one million residents living in nearby housing estates, as well as leverage on some 3,000 companies already operating in the area.

In addition, the new district will be served by three MRT stations and two major expressways.

Apart from Jurong, Paya Lebar is also expected to be developed into a sub-regional centre. The URA will release more details in May.