100,000 housing units could be built next to Kallang River in next 20 years

100,000 housing units could be built next to Kallang River in next 20 years

Good news for those who have always wanted to live near a river: A total of 100,000 new residential units may be built next to Kallang River over the next 20 years.

Minister for National Development Mr Lawrence Wong said the new home units will be within 2km of both sides of the Kallang River, with Kampong Bugis being one of the key residential precincts.

He made the announcement Wednesday (Mar 29) at the launch of 'A River Runs Through It', an exhibition on the rejuvenation of Kallang River by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

The Kampong Bugis area is about 17 hectares in size, and is envisioned as a new residential precinct "that is people-centric and car-lite", said Mr Wong.

Aerial view of Kampong BugisPhoto: URA

There are currently about 800,000 people living within 2km of the Kallang River.

Also primed to be developed into a new waterfront housing area is Kallang Distripark, said the URA in a statement on Wednesday.

As such, URA said it will introduce "vibrant commercial and recreational nodes along the river to provide more avenues for both work and play."

For example, within the Kallang Basin itself, Singaporeans will be able to enjoy greater access to water sports.

One such idea that is being developed for implementation is an eventual stream, cascading waters and rain gardens between Bishan Road and Braddell Road, according to the URA.

Older industrial estates can be transformed into new mixed-use areas, said Mr Wong in his speech this morning.

The minister said: "This will provide more opportunities for businesses seeking to leverage on the area's proximity to the city centre and its good connectivity."

Future residents within the Kallang River area will also have more jogging and cycling paths along the river promenade.

However, Mr Wong did point out the fact that the park connectors that run along the river are over twenty years old and "are not entirely seamless".

This includes an intersection at the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) where pedestrians and cyclists need to cross an overhead bridge that extends across the 16-lane expressway.

But there are possible solutions to create a more seamless inter-town cycling route, said Mr Wong.

One idea is to have elevated cable bridges. More of such ideas to overcome major obstacles along the river bank can be viewed at the Kallang River exhibition, URA said.

ssandrea@sph.com.sg

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