SINGAPORE: The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) of Singapore launched a Request for Proposal (RFP) yesterday, inviting multi-disciplinary teams to develop master plan proposals for the republic’s Jurong Lake District.
This signals the first step of the district’s transformation into ‘A District of the Future’, and the city-state’s second Central Business District (CBD), URA said in a statement here.
URA said the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) terminus, which the Singapore Government announced last year, would be sited in the Jurong Lake District.
Hailed as a game-changer for both countries, it dovetails with the plans to comprehensively redevelop the area surrounding the future HSR terminus.
It is an excellent opportunity, as well as to link up the terminus with surrounding developments, existing and new MRT lines, a new Integrated Transport Hub next to the Jurong East MRT station, and pedestrian connections throughout the district, it said.
URA noted that a key focus of this master planning exercise involves developing proposals for Lakeside Gateway, a new mixed-use business precinct and home to the future HSR terminus, which would anchor the Jurong Lake District as ‘A District of the Future’ and Singapore’s second CBD.
Minister for National Development and Chairman of the Steering Committee Lawrence Wong said: “The District will drive Singapore’s growth in the future economy, and cater to the diverse needs of businesses, residents, visitors, and Singaporeans from all walks of life.
“It will be a distinctive new gateway to Singapore, distinguished by its high connectivity, accessibility and environmentally-friendly features, where smart and green mobility options are the choice modes of commute,” Wong said.
Wong said that the district would be a hub for smart innovations, and home to sustainable urban infrastructure that would boost productivity and manpower efficiency.
“This is only the start of a very exciting transformation.
“We look forward to working closely with professionals and the public to shape an outstanding plan, and will engage extensively to realise the vision for the District,” the minister said.
The RFP comprises two stages whereby interested teams are first required to submit their interest to participate in the RFP.
Up to five shortlisted teams will then develop their Concept Master Plans for the Jurong Lake District.
The team with the best Concept Master Plan will be appointed in February 2017, and work with URA and partner agencies to draw up the Draft Master Plan for the district.
There will be a public exhibition of the Jurong Lake District Draft Master Plan around third quarter 2017.
Thereafter, the appointed team will work with URA to refine the plans.
The Jurong Lake District is a regional centre in the west of Singapore. — Bernama