New planning guidelines by URA "measured and moderate": Khaw Boon Wan

Singapore's National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said the new planning guidelines by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) that will take effect from 4 November are "measured and moderate". 

Under the new guidelines, the total number of dwelling units that can be built on a development site for non-landed private residential developments outside the Central Area will be capped. 

Writing on the Ministry's blog, Mr Khaw said the URA had intervened in a judicious way to address the issue of developments which consist predominantly of shoebox units outside the Central Area. 

Mr Khaw had voiced concern about new developments outside of the Central Area that included a large proportion of shoebox units. 

He added that many Singaporeans had voiced similar concerns too. 

Unlike the Central Area, the suburbs are largely for families. Mr Khaw acknowledged that while there is a need for smaller units, like studio apartments, 2-room flats and shoebox units for the singles, retirees and small families, he said having too many in the same locality cannot be optimal. 

He noted that this is not a general industry practice and was confined to a few developments. 

With the new URA guidelines, Mr Khaw said that there will still be shoebox units to meet the need of a segment of the population, but there will also be many more larger units, to meet the demand of the other population segments. 

Mr Khaw said he is confident this judicious market intervention will again be welcomed by the stakeholders, developers and residents.