Future City Sub-Committee Explores Plans for Singapore’s Urban Transformation

Feb 15, 2016

The Committee on Future Economy (CFE)’s Sub-Committee on Future City, co-chaired by Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister for National Development and Mr Tan Chong Meng, Group Chief Executive Officer of PSA International, held its first meeting today.

The sub-committee, comprising members from the private and public sector, will study how Singapore can continue to develop its infrastructure, to support future growth in an inclusive and sustainable manner, and to enhance connectivity with the region. The recommendations will also seek to anchor Singapore as a leading global city and endearing home for our people. The list of the sub-committee members is at Annex A.

At the meeting, members discussed broad areas which the committee would study further, including strategies to achieve more flexibility and better integration across different users of land; to increase mobility options for individuals and companies; and to promote greater participation from the community in the management of spaces. The committee also discussed new technologies that can be positive disruptors, and offer new solutions to address our resource constraints and challenges.

Minister Lawrence Wong said, “The pace of change in our next lap of development will be faster than before. Our urban structures and infrastructural solutions will need to keep pace if we are to remain relevant in the global economy. We’re looking not just at hard physical infrastructure, but also the “software” aspects. This includes strengthening our abilities to integrate solutions across different domains; to forge closer collaborations between the people, private and public sectors; and to respond nimbly to new opportunities and trends. At the same time, we must retain our distinctive identity and heritage, even as we develop our future city.

This sub-committee brings together individuals of diverse backgrounds and expertise, so that we can take an integrated and multi-disciplinary approach to envisioning our Future City. Beyond the members of the sub-committee, we will also reach out to all segments of society to get feedback and ideas. The building of our Future City must be an endeavor where we all have a stake in the deliberation and outcome.”

Mr Tan Chong Meng, co-chair of the sub-committee said, “We need to be bold in transforming our future landscape. Our small size requires us to plan ahead carefully, with innovative infrastructural solutions that will allow businesses to maintain their competitive lead. As an example, in PSA, we have started planning for a new generation maritime hub at Tuas, which is more productive, while freeing up land at the City Terminals for our city centre’s continued transformation and growth.”

Over the course of the year, the sub-committee plans to actively engage stakeholders from various sectors and members of the public to gather their views and ideas for its recommendations.

Annex B: Pictures from the First CFE Future City Sub-Committee Meeting