Government will initiate construction on a hawker center and polyclinic located in Bishan Town Centre during its current term: Chee Hong Tat
BISHAN'S NEWCENTER GOING ALL-IN ON BUSINESS AND LIFESTYLE
Singapore's buzzing Bishan town center is about to get a whole lot more lively, as the government has plans to transform it into a swanky new business and lifestyle hub.
According to National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat, the renovation will kick off in the current government term and take several years to complete. The area could potentially see the construction of around 200,000 square meters of new office space - matching the scale of Paya Lebar Central, adding a significant boost to the job market for Bishan and Marymount residents, and making commutes a breeze.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) 2025 Draft Master Plan is driving the ambitious redevelopment. To balance the focus on business, the plan also includes an emphasis on pedestrian-friendly streets, skyrise greenery, and enhanced amenities.
For example, a pedestrian mall will be built at Bishan Place Road, linked to transport hubs and facilities, promoting walking and cycling. Additional "active streets" will connect key recreational spots like Bishan Road and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, enhancing accessibility and encouraging active mobility. Completed cycling paths will also lead to upcoming recreational spaces such as the North-South Corridor and Kallang River, ensuring residents can get their exercise while enjoying the outdoors.
Bishan residents will also benefit from a new polyclinic and hawker centre integrated with a revamped Bishan bus interchange, which will strengthen the community's infrastructure and services. If you're a cyclist, rejoice! The area will become more bike-friendly too.
The URA is also studying ways to make the area more pedestrian-friendly and develop pedestrian connections to key transport nodes to alleviate potential congestion. Traffic simulations have already been run to ensure the new road network can accommodate existing and future traffic from the town center's development.
Alongside the transformation of Bishan Place into a pedestrian mall, road enhancement works and traffic measures will be implemented. The URA's decisions are part of an effort to support Singapore's economic growth by strengthening its economic gateways and business districts, rejuvenating key precincts, and encouraging innovation.
The draft master plan is currently being displayed at the HDB Hub in Toa Payoh, running from August 9 to 17. Analysts agree that the new office space could bring around 18,000 to 20,000 new workers to the area, necessitating more improvements in amenities. However, potential concerns about increased crowds and congestion remain.
So buckle up, Bishan residents! The future is looking brighter, more livable, and downright exciting!
- The ambitious redevelopment of Bishan's town center will not only focus on business, but also include policy-and-legislation to ensure a balance between commercial growth and pedestrian-friendly streets, skyrise greenery, and enhanced amenities.
- With the potential construction of around 200,000 square meters of new office space, the Bishan-Marymount job market is set to experience a significant boost, attracting thousands of new workers and financiers to the area.
- As part of the overall plan, the General-news for the region might highlight potential investments in the industry sector, as well as issues pertaining to politics and policy-and-legislation that could impact the success of this large-scale urban rejuvenation project.
