A New Beginning
Between 1965 and 2050, the land area of Singapore will have increased by 25 per cent. In that same time period, the population is predicted to have risen by 250 per cent. It is no wonder then that the government is looking to build new industrial developments on land previously deemed unsuitable, as well as developing, expanding and improving existing industrial areas. We look at two examples that are helping to transform the industrial landscape on the island, as part of the HDB’s Industrial Redevelopment Programme (IRP).
Defu Industrial Estate
Located in the North-Eastern sector of the island, Defu Industrial Estate was built in the 1970’s to initially house small and medium sized industries relocating from other areas of Singapore. The driving force behind the redevelopment of the 40 year old estate is not only down to the pressure on efficient use of existing space. It is part of the government’s drive to meet the nation’s future industrial needs, and there are also environmental considerations. With the completion of the Marina, Punggol and Serangoon Reservoirs, the Defu estate is now located within the water catchment area. There is therefore a need to manage and contain the pollution that is caused by the existing, and the future industries located there.
The new Defu Industrial Park – as it will be known – is being developed to have the environment, pedestrians and cyclists very much at the centre of things. It will have a green spine running through it, with environmentally sustainable features and lush landscaped greenery.
The site will boast 2.1 million square metres of industrial space – a five-fold increase on the current site, and will be split into three distinct zones. A Southern zone will house the existing industries, albeit in modern complexes, while the Northern and Central zones will be a hotbed for strategic industries including precision engineering, media, clean energy, biomedical and logistics.
The work is expected to be completed next year (2017), after which time Defu City centre will be developed nearby to provide convenience stores, F&B outlets, medical and childcare centres.
Lorong Halus Park
Located adjacent to Sungei Serangoon, Lorong Halus Park will be the first industrial park to be built on top of a former landfill site in Singapore. Like Defu, it will be designed with the environment in mind and will become a lush, verdant and very attractive waterside park. The slopes of the landfill won’t be developed, instead they will be turfed and shaped to create a distinctive and unique landscape.
It is envisaged that general and light manufacturing businesses would occupy the areas surrounding the landfill, such as logistics companies, precision engineers and food manufacturers, while smaller manufacturers of lifestyle and fashion products for instance would occupy the areas along the river front. Such companies would be encouraged to create showrooms facing out over the river, to present an interesting view for both pedestrians and residents on the opposite bank.
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