Singapore Draft Master Plan 2008: Plot ratio increases not needed for now

Business Times 24 May 08;

THERE are no major plot ratio revisions in the latest Draft Master Plan because there is no need.

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the Draft Master Plan (MP) 2008 exhibition, Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan said yesterday the intensity of plot ratios has to be, 'consistent with the land use'.

'You look at plot ratios when you want to accommodate a certain quantum of population. And if you add it all up and you find that it is sufficient for the population you are planning for, then there is no need to increase it,' he said.

Mr Mah's comments come at a time when many Singaporeans are still grappling with the figure of 6.5 million for the long-term projected population, announced last year.

However, looking at the figure for planned-for new housing in MP 2008, the increase in population does not seem to be expected any time soon.

MP 2008 allows for 327,200 new homes in Singapore. Interestingly, MP 2003, which was planned before the 6.5 million target was revealed, allowed for 371,000 homes, 13.4 per cent more than MP 2008.

Also, in 2003 the population was 4.1 million, of whom 700,000 were not Singaporean.

In 2008, the population increased to 4.6 million, of whom one million were not Singaporean.

Asked about the fall in the number of planned new homes, a spokesperson for the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said: 'The 5.5 million population in Concept Plan 2001 and 6.5 million population for the Mid-Term Concept Plan Review are planning parameters to ensure we have sufficient land for the long term.'

URA added: 'In the medium term, around 350,000 dwelling units is a comfortable, reasonable number for land safeguarding purposes, which still allows some flexibility to meet market demand. Both MP 2003 and MP 2008 have safeguarded about 350,000 dwelling units.'

An extra 900 hectares of land added for park space in MP 2008 suggests Singaporeans will not be crowded out soon.

Mr Mah added: 'Land scarcity is always an issue with Singapore. Yes, we are short of land, but, no, we are not short of space. By creative and innovative planning, we can make a lot of difference.'