The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has a vision for Kampong Bugis, and it is to turn it into a precinct with fewer cars, where commuters get about seamlessly on foot or public transport – by bus, train or water taxi. Located at the convergence of two major waterways – Rochor Canal and Kallang River – the area has also been identified as a pilot area for a high-density, water-sustainable precinct. This means developments there will incorporate effective stormwater management and urban design features such as vegetated swales, bio-retention basins and detention ponds to manage rainwater runoff.
Development of the 18 hectares of land in Kampong Bugis may begin after 2016. Of this area, about 80 per cent will be given over to about 4,000 units of private housing.
To support the envisaged reduced dependency on cars, developers will be encouraged to set up car-sharing and bicycle-sharing schemes, which will operate alongside the network of bus services and two MRT stations in the area.
The upshot of promoting these greener, alternative modes of travel is that future residential projects in the area will need to provide fewer car park lots.
Preliminary feedback from developers has been positive, with many of them noting that demand for car park space is already generally lower in places nearer the city centre.
Although the proposed concept of greener commutes and being “car-reduced” is not expected to rock the boat significantly, public feedback is being sought in this area.
Another facet of the URA’s vision for Kampong Bugis is fenceless housing, to encourage community interaction. Such a “fenceless precinct”, as distinct from the conventional “gated condominium” approach, entails through-block links, courtyards and open spaces; developers will also be encouraged to include community amenities such as childcare centres, kindergartens, cafes, clinics and playgrounds in their plans.
These amenities will be set amid greenery.
Kampong Bugis, with its urban features supporting “water-sustainable” practices, is expected to enhance sustainable water management practices here and to become a new high-density model for sustainable water practices internationally.
Source: Business Times –20 November 2013
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