Singapore unveils masterplan for ‘second CBD’

The Singapore government has unveiled a masterplan to transform a former swamp into a new centre of economic activity that will incorporate the city-state’s first high speed rail link to Kuala Lumpur.

The government hopes the plan for the Jurong Lake District will be a “game changer”, creating 100,000 jobs, 20,000 new homes and in the process become the country’s most sustainable district.

“Over the years, we have continued to embark on other bold projects of ‘seeming folly’ in Singapore,” outlined Lawrence Wong, Minister for National Development. “We know our infrastructure strategy works, because we are not building for the sake of building; neither are we going for the biggest, fanciest or tallest buildings. Rather we are building infrastructure, to attract more investments into Singapore, and to create more good jobs for Singaporeans.”

High-speed rail operations are expected to commence by the end of 2026. The government hopes it will spur new economic activities and enhance connectivity between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

To cement its green credentials the masterplan–created by KCAP Architects&Planners, SAA Architects, Arup, S333, Lekker and the Urban Redevelopment Authority–proposes integrated district-level systems to optimise the use of resources through common services tunnel, district cooling system, and pneumatic waste conveyancing systems.

A comprehensive public transport network will operate within the Jurong Lake District linking it to two new metro lines.

“Every development in the district will be near a bus stop or an MRT [metro] station,” added Wong. “There will be dedicated spaces for active mobility, be it cycling or personal mobility devices.”

Sixteen hectares of new parks and open spaces will be created, complemented by vertical greenery on buildings and rooftops with the whole development set to take 20 years.

“We are now studying plans to put out land parcels for sale within the next few years,” said Wong. “With that, we can create a critical mass of developments once the [high-speed rail] terminus starts its operations in end-2026.”

Costings for the project have yet to be released due to the project being at the masterplan stage. The draft master plan and exhibition is open to public comment until mid-September.