LAND USAGE (Roads and expressways)

LAND USAGE

**

(Roads and expressways): **

30.

Dr Geh Min asked the Minister for Transport (a) what percentage of Singapore's total land area is occupied by roads and expressways; and (b) what is the projected percentage for 2030.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Today, roads occupy about 12% of our land area, almost the same proportion as housing, which currently stands at 13%.

We have not set a target for the percentage of land to be occupied by roads in 2030. The Land Transport Authority projects our road development needs based on factors such as the projected population growth and the distribution of housing and employment patterns, and various assumptions about vehicle population growth, development of future rail lines, our tolerance for traffic congestion, and other transport strategies to manage congestion and usage such as the ERP. However, given our densely built-up environment and the many competing demands for land use, future road capacity expansion is likely to be limited. Where roads are required, due consideration will be given to limit the impact on the environment.

Going forward, we have to focus more on improving public transport which is more efficient in moving large numbers of people.

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