JTC trying to retain vegetated hill at site of upcoming Woodlands Gateway

Industrial developer intends to conduct a technical study on how the hill can be kept

- Ang Qing

Industrial developer JTC Corporation is making plans to retain a vegetated hill at the site for the upcoming Woodlands Gateway development, The Straits Times has learnt.

The forested area is slated to be cleared from 2026 to build an employment, commercial and manufacturing hub to tap the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link.

ST reported in August that some 10.4ha of forest in Woodlands, about the size of 15 football fields, could be felled, according to an environmental impact assessment.

The report found that higher temperatures in the area are likely due to the loss of forest cover and the presence of new buildings.

The raised temperatures arising from the urban heat island effect are expected to be the most pronounced at night, when trapped heat is released from urban structures, added the report by consultancy DHI Water and Environment.

JTC’s group director of land planning and redevelopment, Ms Jan Seow, told ST in late October that the report had assumed that the vegetation would be cleared, but the agency is still in the process of deciding what can be kept.

She said the agency values nature as an asset as it is aware of the cooling effect of trees, besides the benefits of conserving nature.

“It is in our fundamental belief when we plan for our natural estates that we try to go for a win-win situation because greenery itself can address some adverse aspects of development,” Ms Seow said.

“Retaining this natural heritage is also a win for workers and residents because trees and some of these natural elements can address the urban heat island effect, give visual relief from the typical concrete buildings and ensure sustainability.”