Channel NewsAsia 11 Mar 15;
SINGAPORE: While various proposals have been received on how to revamp the Rail Corridor for future use, there is "no rush" to develop the entire stretch at once, said Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee on Wednesday (Mar 11).
Speaking at the 2015 Committee Of Supply Debate, Mr Lee announced that the authorities are ready to launch a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the concept master plan and design concepts for the Rail Corridor, which consists of the 24km-stretch of land left vacant by the former KTM raiway track.
The Government has been "actively seeking views and ideas" on what people would like to see in the vacated space, said Mr Lee. For example, a group called the Rail Corridor Partnership has been formed to foster dialogue with interest groups, academics, design professionals and government agencies.
Some of the ideas put forward including recreational use, such as for cyclists or trail walking, and community use, such as gardens and urban farms. The Government's approach is to "encourage community ownership" of the Rail Corridor, Mr Lee said.
A public exhibition will be held later this year to showcase the various proposals, he said, following the launch of the RFP.
"However, given the length of the Rail Corridor, there is no rush to work on the whole stretch all at once. Instead, the enhancement of the Rail Corridor will be carefully and sensitively staged, and we will work closely with local communities to realise its full potential," he added.
- CNA/es
Govt set to call for proposals on Rail Corridor development
LAURA ELIZABETH PHILOMIN Today Online 11 Mar 15;
SINGAPORE — After three and a half years of engaging the public to gather feedback, the Urban Redevelopment Authority is ready to launch a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Rail Corridor’s concept master plan and design concepts.
Announcing this during the second day of the Ministry of National Development’s Committee of Supply debate today (March 11), MND Minister of State Desmond Lee said the RFP will firm up the overall plan and design, which will guide developments in the coming years.
Some suggestions for the 24km railway line included creating a commuter cycling route into the central business district area or using spaces for community uses such as gardens and urban farming. “We should support this, to encourage community ownership of the Rail Corridor,” Mr Lee said.
Such feedback, together with ideas formulated by the Rail Corridor Partnership involving interest groups, academics and design professionals, have been distilled into the Planning and Design Goals under the RFP brief.
Given the length of the Rail Corridor, there will be no rush to work on the whole stretch all at once, said Mr Lee. “Instead, the enhancement of the Rail Corridor will be carefully and sensitively staged, and we will work closely with local communities to realise its full potential,” he added.
Govt to call for Rail Corridor proposals soon
Janice Heng The Straits Times AsiaOne 13 Mar 15;
Work on planning for the future of a 24km green stretch of former railway track will begin soon, with the authorities set to make a formal call for ideas.
The upcoming request for proposal (RFP) is for a masterplan and design concepts for the Rail Corridor, which runs from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands, said Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee yesterday.
"The RFP will enable us to firm up the overall plan and design for the Rail Corridor, which will then guide how it will be realised in the coming years," said Mr Lee in the debate on his ministry's budget.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority has incorporated public feedback into the planning and design goals, which will be part of the RFP brief, he added.
A public exhibition will be held later this year to showcase the proposals received.
"However, given that the length of the Rail Corridor is 24km, there is no rush to work on the whole stretch all at once."
Mr Lee was replying to MPs' questions on green topics such as tree conservation.
To Mr Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade GRC), who wanted protection for old trees, Mr Lee said that removing old trees is done "only after very careful consideration".
"Where possible, we will find new homes for these mature trees, and have transplanted some 2,100 trees just last year alone," he added.
Mr Chen Show Mao (Aljunied GRC) of the Workers' Party wanted specific guidelines - perhaps set out in legislation - for when environment impact assessments are required for development projects.
In reply, Mr Lee said only that these assessments are applied "to projects that may most adversely impact our protected natural spaces, and coastal and marine environments".
Separately, the Building and Construction Authority yesterday gave details of a $20 million fund to test new energy-efficient technologies, such as under-floor cooling systems, in actual buildings.
The GBIC-Building Energy Efficient Demonstrations Scheme aims to mitigate the financial risk of testing out new technologies, by co-funding costs such as equipment and installation. It will also cover the cost of removing the technology if the trial fails.
The scheme is one of three activities under the $52 million Green Buildings Innovation Cluster (GBIC) programme launched in September.
