Jose Hong, The New Paper AsiaOne 9 Feb 17;
A Dutch-led team will help create the new Jurong Lake District, beating out four others with its vision.
KCAP Architects&Planner's proposal comprises four large interconnected parks, buildings 30 to 40 storeys high each with a rooftop garden, and a canal that borders the district centre.
This will be Rotterdam-based KCAP's first project with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).
Ms Yvonne Lim, URA's group director for physical planning, emphasised that the vision from KCAP's team was aspirational, and many details had yet to be finalised.
However, she said its proposal won because it "had given very sensitive focus on 'green' and 'blue', with ideas to weave new waterways and greenery from the gardens into the entire district, thus giving it a very distinctive identity".
The 360ha site will comprise three precincts: Jurong Gateway, Lakeside and Lakeside Gateway.
It will function as Singapore's second central business district and will be the location of the terminus for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail.
Ms Lim added that URA liked its focus on walkable streets and interactive public spaces for social activities.
KCAP will next work with government agencies to draw up detailed proposals for the district.
The public will have the chance to give feedback on these proposals in the middle of the year. URA will work with KCAP and relevant agencies to incorporate the feedback, where appropriate, before finalising the masterplan by year end.
The Straits Times understands the plan will be implemented in stages over the next 10 to 30 years once construction begins.
'Sensitive focus' on nature helps KCAP win Jurong Lake District contract
Today Online 8 Feb 17;
SINGAPORE: The team led by KCAP Architects&Planners is to develop the detailed master plan for Jurong Lake District, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced on Wednesday (Feb 8).
The team's proposal received the highest score among those of the five teams shortlisted for stage 2 of the Jurong Lake District request for proposal (RFP) exercise, the agency added in its press release.
URA said KCAP's proposal best met the expectations and requirements of the RFP. "At the heart of the proposal is its sensitive focus on water and greenery, which incorporates new waterways and a series of green spaces and connections that weave through the entire district to create a strong, distinctive identity," it said.
The evaluation panel was also impressed with the proposed urban typology that integrates with the green setting beside Jurong Lake, which at the same time places emphasis on creating active, walkable streets and interactive public spaces", according to the press release.
KCAP and its team will work with URA and relevant agencies to refine the master plan and draw up detailed proposals for the Jurong Lake District over the next few months, and these proposals will be exhibited in the middle of this year, the agency said.
The public is encouraged to give their feedback on the detailed proposals during this period, after which URA will work with the consultant to incorporate the feedback before finalising the master plan, it added.
- CNA/kk
