Singapore Government Press Release
Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts,
MITA Building, 140 Hill Street, 2^nd Storey, Singapore 179369
Tel: 837-9666

HDB started building housing estates in a modest way in the 1960s. The urgency then was to meet the critical demand for shelter. To make public housing affordable, only basic necessities were provided.

The quality of today’s public housing is several notches higher than those in the early days. And we are still improving on the quality.

When Punggol 21 was first conceived in 1996, it was meant to be more than just another HDB new town. HDB wanted to create a living environment that would appeal to a new generation of better-educated, more sophisticated Singaporeans. Under this new concept of public housing, Punggol 21 would not just offer well-designed HDB flats, but an integrated, high quality environment of recreational and social facilities.

Today, this vision has become a reality. Punggol 21 is now a landmark town.

Punggol 21 has broken the traditional norms of town-building and set new standards in public housing design and planning.

For example, in other HDB towns, a typical neighbourhood comprises 6,000 to 8,000 dwelling units. With Punggol, the town is planned based on smaller and more intimate precincts. Each precinct will comprise 1,000 to 3,000 dwelling units, clustering around its own ‘green lung’. The precincts are designed to foster closer interaction among residents, through features like the mini-park or Common Green, and open spaces. Educational, shopping and recreational facilities are situated close to one another and are pedestrian-friendly. They are designed to draw residents out from their homes, and to encourage interaction. Punggol 21 aims to foster a strong sense of community belonging.

Public transport was also carefully planned in the development of Punggol 21. Here, the LRT and MRT systems will be integrated. Most Punggol 21 residents will live within 300 metres of their nearest LRT stop.

Furthermore, HDB carparks in Punggol 21 are integrated into the lower levels of the residential blocks. This is very convenient for the residents.

Like any other HDB town, Punggol 21 will have a complete range of commercial facilities like shops, restaurants, cafes, and cinemas.

These commercial developments at the town centre will be fully integrated with the LRT and MRT. The neighbourhood shops near each LRT station will also be constructed in tandem with nearby housing developments. This way, residents who move into the estate first will have some facilities ready to serve their needs before the rest of the town is fully developed. In fact, the construction of a shopping complex in Punggol East has already begun.

Creating A Recreational Hub

I believe, however, that the biggest draw of Punggol 21 will be the recreational opportunities. Residents will enjoy a host of waterfront activities. These will soon be developed along the town’s natural riverine and coastal areas. There will be waterfront village centres that will offer restaurants, shops and other entertainment.

The centrepiece will be Coney Island. HDB is currently reclaiming land for the island. When it is fully developed, this 102-hectare island will be a recreational hub, in particular for those living in the north-eastern region of Singapore. Apart from the beach, there will be clubs, chalets, camping grounds and a sea sports centre. Bridges will link Punggol 21 to Coney Island. Residents will be able to cycle, jog or just take a leisurely walk across to enjoy the island’s facilities.

Challenges Ahead

With Punggol 21, HDB has provided the buildings and facilities for gracious living. But beyond the bricks and mortar, Punggol 21 and future new towns will need one other vital ingredient to succeed: a strong sense of ownership and community. How to develop this community spirit is the key challenge in building the best homes for Singaporeans. When the residents feel they own the town, not just their individual apartments, they will take pride in looking after the whole town and not just their own units.

Globalisation and the New Economy will challenge our efforts to build social cohesion. For example, they will widen the income gap between the talented and globally mobile and the less-skilled workers. Our ageing population will be an added stress on our society. These changes will test our cohesiveness as a nation.

Our HDB heartlands are where the majority of Singaporeans live. HDB towns must, therefore, be designed and built to strengthen community bonds.

It is not easy to meet the needs of Singaporeans with different income levels in the same housing estate. This is a big challenge for the HDB. On the one hand, flats will have to be affordable for lower income Singaporeans. On the other hand, higher-income Singaporeans will expect HDB to offer design quality and aesthetics. To meet these demands, the HDB has implemented a variety of schemes. For instance, it has introduced the Special Housing Assistance Programme to help the lower-income households own good flats. It also offers Premium Flats for those who want higher quality housing and are prepared to pay for it.

HDB town planners are mindful of the need to integrate the different housing forms to facilitate stronger community ties among all segments of the population. Here in Punggol 21, we will have a mix of 60 percent public housing, 30 percent private housing, and 10 percent executive condominiums. This housing mix will enhance social cohesion amongst Singaporeans.

Another major challenge for future housing will come from our post-war baby boomers. In another decade or so, they will become our new aged. But they will be healthy and robust. Housing for them must factor in their desire for social independence and interaction. Their living environment must help them to remain actively engaged in community life.

Many of our senior residents live in the older HDB estates. Thus, even as we develop new towns, we must retain the vibrancy of our mature estates. We must not allow them to become old and neglected. Many of you would have already seen how estate renewal programmes have had a tremendous effect in transforming the older HDB towns into lively hubs of activity. Estates like Toa Payoh, Ang Mo Kio, and Bukit Merah have all been given new leases of life.

The older residents in these towns have grown roots there. They are often reluctant to leave behind familiar surroundings and faces for new homes elsewhere. To prevent these towns from becoming old folk homes, we must do more to retain and draw the young into them. We must ensure that these towns are able to support the lifestyle needs of younger families. This will strengthen inter-generational bonds, and give new life to these mature towns. We are seeing some positive results already in the upgraded precincts.

We have learnt valuable lessons through many years of public housing development. Punggol 21 is the result of these decades of experience. It represents a brand new lifestyle in public housing estates, and is a prelude of things to come. To succeed, however, it will require the commitment of residents to build a warm and friendly community. Only then will Punggol 21 become the best home for you.

Let me end by wishing you all the best as new home owners. Congratulations on being pioneers of Punggol 21. And congratulations too, to HDB for realising this new vision of public housing.

Thank you.

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