MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

In land scarce Singapore, MND will ensure that we use land optimally for housing, economic development, infrastructure and community needs.

Housing the People

Over the next three years Town Councils will take over responsibility for estate management from HDB in all constituencies. HDB residents will then have more influence over how their housing estates are managed.

Each housing estate should reflect a cross section of the different social and economic groups of Singapore, in order to create a stronger sense of multi-racial community spirit and identity among Singaporeans. The HDB will therefore introduce measures to maintain a balanced ethnic composition of residents in its public housing estates. These measures will cover initial allocation as well as the resale market.

Under the building programme for 1986-90, the HDB will complete 121,000 flats. New flats will be better designed, with better internal finishes and workmanship.

HDB will redevelop or retrofit older housing estates in phases to upgrade them to current housing standards. It will retain enough rental flats to provide for those who need transitional housing and the few who are unable to purchase their own flats.

The HDB will adjust its pricing system in order to allocate public housing more equitably. Flat prices will reflect variations in location, design, finishes, and desirability. The first premiums and discounts for locational differences were introduced in December 1987, and more will be introduced. The HDB will increasingly price and allocate its flats in accordance with market practices. Base prices will vary according to blocks and estates, with premiums and discounts for each flat where necessary. Purchasers will also have to commit to buy specific units when they register for HDB flats.

Planning and Developing a City of Excellence

The Ministry is reviewing the Singapore Concept Plan, a long-range land-use plan to guide the physical development of Singapore. The revised Concept Plan will promote orderly and coordinated development, safeguard land for major development needs, and provide the framework to develop a City of Excellence.

The Ministry will make the Planning System more open to the public, and will consult professionals in the private sector. It will prepare Development Guide Plans (DGPs) to provide timely information on proposed plans for specific localities. The first DGP Master Plan presented for public consultation was the plan for the Civic and Cultural District. By 1990, the DGPs for several other areas will be completed.

The Ministry will take the lead in conserving historic districts and buildings, to preserve our architectural heritage and keep Singapore a distinctive Asian city.

Roads and Parks

The Ministry will introduce advanced traffic management and information systems to make the maximum use of our road system.

We will improve our streetscape and pedestrian walkways to make walking more pleasant, and encourage the public to make full use of the public transport systems.

We will continue to create a green and pleasant living environment. More colour, variety and fragrance will be added.

Construction

We will improve the efficiency competitiveness and quality of work of the construction industry, and continue to promote the export of construction services vigorously.

We will introduce new building control standards to make buildings structurally safer.

Primary Production

We will maximise the productivity of our limited agricultural land by developing agrotechnology parks. Pig farming will be completely phased out by 1990.

We will upgrade veterinary public health procedures to ensure that all imported fresh foods are safe.

S DHANABALAN Minister for National Development