Timely Transformation for Singapore's North Region

Major changes like new homes will reshape area, which has been seeing slower growth

- Christine Sun

Significant urban transformation is on the horizon for the northern part of Singapore. The recently announced Draft Master Plan 2025 details several major changes that will reshape the region, including the redevelopment of Sembawang Shipyard, the expansion of Woodlands Regional Centre and the repurposing of the former Singapore Racecourse.

The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS), a crucial component of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), is set to be another "game changer" that will benefit many businesses and landlords.

Furthermore, many new public and private housing units are planned for Chencharu, Woodlands, Kranji and Lentor.

For instance, 14,000 new homes are expected to be built in Sembawang North and Woodlands North Coast by 2035. At Lentor, a new condominium cluster is emerging, alongside a new shopping mall, contributing to the estate's growth and expansion.

With these transformations, residents in the north will have access to a broader range of services and recreational facilities, thereby enhancing the quality of life and fostering a more vibrant community.

REDEVELOPMENT ESSENTIAL The redevelopment plans are essential and timely, as the north region has been experiencing slower growth when compared with the other four regions in Singapore. Other areas, such as Tampines and Changi in the east, Punggol and Sengkang in the north-east, and Jurong in the west, have undergone more significant changes in recent years.

Furthermore, the north has the smallest private housing stock, with only 24,063 private homes as at the second quarter of 2025, according to data from the Urban Redevelopment Authority. This is less than half of the 59,588 private housing units in the west region, which is the second smallest, and is far lower than the 215,108 units in the largest central region.