Punggol development: Phase 2 plan unveiled
The Housing & Development Board (HDB) yesterday unveiled plans for the next phase of Punggol's development, including a new Northshore District that will be carved out for more seafront public housing.
Northshore District will be one of seven distinct waterfront
housing areas, of which Waterway East and Waterway West Districts are already
under development.
Not only will Northshore District be home to Punggol's
tallest residential buildings, at 29 storeys, they will also boast fully
underground car parks in a bid to provide a greener and more spacious
environment at the ground level.
Both Northshore and Matilda Districts can expect public housing projects to be launched over the next five years.
Both Northshore and Matilda Districts can expect public housing projects to be launched over the next five years.
Based on Punggol's masterplan, the projected number of
private and HDB homes in Punggol is 96,000. To date, some 26,400 units of
public housing have been completed, with 15,800 units launched or under
construction. On the private housing end, 6,400 have been launched or are under
construction.
This puts Punggol on track to complete 48,000 units by 2016.
Of the 957 hectares (ha) that is Punggol, some 422 ha have
been set aside for residential use, with the remaining 535 ha designated for
other uses, including transportation networks, schools, commercial, and
religious purposes, added HDB.
National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said: "We
are now ready to launch the next phase of Punggol's development. Punggol Phase
II will cover developments over the next 15 years and beyond."
Other plans to enliven Punggol include the introduction of a
waterfront Market Village bordering on the south of the Coney Channel, a
Learning Corridor designated to house future education institutions and a
Creative Cluster designed to host new commercial activities.
Residents can also look forward to more recreational spaces
and commercial amenities such as a new sports complex, a horse riding centre
and a hawker centre.
To ensure that Punggol does not lose its green features,
more green parks and corridors will be integrated with the waterfront
promenades. In addition, the old Punggol Road will be conserved as a heritage
trail and transformed as a pedestrianised green corridor for joggers and
cyclists.
Mr Khaw was speaking at the HDB Awards 2012, where he
presented 21 awards to HDB's consultants and contractors to recognise their
achievements and innovative efforts in undertaking public housing developments.
The "Punggol: Discover Possibilities" exhibition
will be launched at HDB Hub to recap the progress of Punggol to date, share
with the public the short-term plans and invite feedback for the longer-term
plans.
The exhibition ends on Oct 28.
Source: Business Times – 17 October 2012