Punggol was just the new kid on the block a few years ago!
Punggol was the new kid on the map just a few years ago. It’s a routine for residents to travel to the neighbouring Sengkang for dinner or even grocery shopping. Recently, with the opening of SAFRA, Waterway Point and even Tebing Lane, it has transformed to one of the up-and-coming neighbourhoods. You know your neighbourhood is a happening place when you have 2 McDonald’s within a 2km radius.
Singapore just unveiled plans for Punggol to be the new “Enterprise District”. This concept is part of the Government’s aim to create growth centers all over the island. The announcement was made by the National Development Minister in Parliament on Tuesday.
If a neighbourhood is classed as an “Enterprise District”, it essentially means that land use will be made flexible to allow the Government to experiment with new land development concepts.
Punggol North will be the first of such, where the land will be used for new development . JTC, was appointed and given the authority to develop the large tract land and curate the mix of tenants in a holistic manner, rather than follow zoning rules – imposed by the URA.
This could translate into benefits, such as having different users share facilities. For example, in Punggol North, the new SIT campus is located right next to JTC’s business parks, and this can open up the possibility of integrating facilities. One way to achieve this is through sharing of research labs, incubator and startup spaces.
Punggol will then be the key area for the Government to drive its Smart Nation initiatives, which for the uninformed – is where people are empowered by technology to lead meaningful and fulfilled lives.
The “Enterprise Concept” is set to be implemented in other neighbourhoods. Plans are afoot to bring the concept to Kampong Bugis, which will form part of the ‘larger rejuvenation efforts’ for the Kallang River. The precinct can potentially yield up to 4,000 new homes, and is envisaged to incorporate design features and urban planning that rejuvenates the older estates and promote active mobility.
