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PM Wong’s on How Singapore is Planning for Climate and Urban Growth

 




During the 17 August 2025 National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong outlined Singapore’s future plans for sustainable development, urban rejuvenation, and climate resilience. Emphasizing the limited land and the need to protect the island from rising sea levels, PM Wong highlighted ongoing projects such as the Pulau Tekong polder, started in 2018, which provides new training areas for the SAF while serving as a coastal barrier. Coastal protection works are also underway in vulnerable areas, including the southeastern shoreline and Changi Bay.

Urban development will focus on rejuvenating existing land while reimagining new uses. PM Wong highlighted plans for Singapore’s northern region, specifically Woodlands, Kranji, and Sembawang. In Woodlands, the government aims to maximize the potential of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone through improved connectivity and redeveloping the Woodlands Checkpoint. The checkpoint will be expanded fivefold, reducing congestion and waiting times. The new Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS Link will provide seamless MRT transfers and immigration clearance. Surrounding the RTS station, flexible industrial spaces, new homes including the 4,000-unit “Housing by the Woods” precinct, and waterfront public housing will be developed, transforming Woodlands into a modern regional centre.

In Kranji, a 130-hectare site previously used for horse racing will be repurposed. The area’s natural surroundings, including the Mandai mangrove, Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Rail Corridor, and Sungei Mandai, provide a unique setting for urban development. Plans include 14,000 new homes integrated with greenery and community amenities, anchored by a new Sungei Kadut MRT interchange. This development will combine urban living with rich natural heritage, aiming for completion in approximately ten years.

Sembawang, historically significant for its naval base and later Sembawang Shipyard, will see redevelopment while preserving its maritime character. The dry dock and surrounding areas, three times the size of Ang Mo Kio Town Centre, could be transformed into waterfront living, community spaces, and recreational hubs. Public feedback has suggested spaces for sports, concerts, dining, and social gatherings, ensuring a vibrant, multi-purpose waterfront district.

PM Wong stressed that these northern developments are part of Singapore’s broader approach to sustainable urban planning, drawing on successful past examples like Punggol 21. The government aims to balance heritage, community, and innovation, creating towns that are vibrant, well-connected, and livable. These initiatives also demonstrate Singapore’s commitment to climate adaptation, urban rejuvenation, and long-term planning, ensuring that the nation continues to thrive despite evolving environmental and societal challenges.

Through strategic land reclamation, urban planning, and investment in infrastructure, Singapore aims to build a future where every region has its own character, supports economic growth, and provides high quality of life for residents. PM Wong emphasized that these developments reflect Singapore’s proactive and adaptive approach to planning, reinforcing the nation’s vision of continuous progress, innovation, and resilience.

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