SINGAPORE — Woodlands will transform into the “Star Destination of the North” in the next decade, following a comprehensive facelift under the third phase of the Remaking of Our Heartland programme.
An exhibition showcasing the proposed raft of plans for six new proposed developments and enhancements to existing neighbourhood centres in the northern town was unveiled on Sunday (April 16) by National Development Minister Lawrence Wong.
The proposals were the results of a series of seven focus group discussions held by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) in 2015 with some 220 residents and community stakeholders.
One of the highlights of the facelift involves revamping the Woodlands Regional Centre, which could see a new Town Plaza built beside Woodlands MRT station — an idea that many participants had raised and supported during the focus group discussions.
A new Town Plaza could be built beside Woodlands MRT station. Photo: Housing and Development Board
A new landmark residential development will also be built at Woodlands Central, part of the Woodlands Regional Centre.
The proposed landmark residential development at Woodlands Central. Photo: Housing and Development Board
At the Woodlands North Coast, a new public development beside Admiralty Park aims to offer a “Housing-in-the-woods” experience.
“This project will leverage on the (area’s) hilly terrain, so residents will be able to enjoy good views of the park and the Straits of Johor,” said the HDB.
A residential development at Woodlands North Coast, offering a “Housing-in-the-woods” experience. Photo: Housing and Development Board
Specific development plans for these residential sites have not been finalised yet.
The Woodlands North Coast area will also be home to the Woodlands North Coast Innovation District, which will be beside Republic Polytechnic, and is part of the North Coast Innovation Corridor.
To connect Woodlands Central to the north coast and Woodlands Waterfront, the agency is proposing a 1.9km-long jogging and cycling link. Called the WoodsVista Gallery, this second proposal will feature multiple rest points with seating along the way, for residents to gather and interact.
At Marsiling, residents can expect a new “Discovery Playground”, featuring amenities like a boardwalk along the coast, and a heritage corner showcasing the area’s history.
The new “Discovery Playground” in Marsiling. Photo: Housing and Development Board
The “Discovery Playground” will comprise the current Woodlands Town Garden, which will be renamed Marsiling Park after a facelift, as well as other recreation facilities.
To the south, the new Woodlands Health Campus will be constructed, and opened in phases from 2022. It will comprise a community hospital, a long-term care facility, as well as an acute care hospital.
The Health Campus, which includes the first hospital to be built in the town, will also be integrated to the adjacent greenery, in a setting similar to the current Khoo Teck Puat hospital, said the HDB.
To the east, the area beside Admiralty MRT station will be transformed into a new “Community Nexus”. Within it will be Kampung Admiralty, which will comprise a plethora of facilities like medical centres, eldercare and childcare centres, dining and retail outlets, and housing for the elderly.
Existing facilities in the area will also form part of this “Community Nexus”, with the Admiralty Place Neighbourhood Centre (NC) getting a spruce-up, said the HDB.
The new “Community Nexus” in Admiralty. Photo: Housing and Development Board
Lastly, to span the entire Woodlands town from east to west, the HDB is proposing a “Social Corridor”, built on the existing North-South Line viaduct. This 4.2km-long link will feature eight nodes, and residents will have a say in what to do in each of the eight proposed spaces. Suggestions could include community gardens, and rest points.
On the timeframe for the proposals to be implemented, the HDB said: “Residents can look forward to many of the plans being implemented within the next five to 10 years. The actual implementation timeframe for each proposal will differ from site to site.”
Separately, the HDB will also be giving existing NCs and parks in Woodlands a facelift, with improvements such as additional greenery, and improved connectivity.
Neighbourhood centres will also be upgraded, as part of the Remaking Our Heartland programme. Photo: Housing and Development Board
Woodlands, which sits on around 1,198 hectares of land, is the first town in the third phase of the Remaking Our Heartland programme.
Two other towns, Pasir Ris and Toa Payoh, will also be remade, with details to be shared in the coming weeks.
