Public and private homes planned in more than 10 areas over next 10 to 15 years

New towns at sites of Sembawang Shipyard, Paya Lebar Air Base are also being studied

- Grace Leong

At least 80,000 public and private residential units are expected to be introduced across more than 10 new housing areas islandwide over the next 10 to 15 years.

This was disclosed by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), which announced on June 25 its Draft Master Plan 2025 - Singapore's land use development blueprint for the next 10 to 15 years.

To offer more opportunities for residents to live in or near the city centre, some 5,000 new private homes could be introduced in the Newton area, while Paterson - on the doorstep of Orchard Road could get 1,000 new private homes.

The planned Newton neighbourhood, comprising three clusters in Newton Circus, Scotts Road and Monk's Hill, will be a mixed-use urban village, with the new private homes to be introduced progressively.

A new Village Square anchored by a high-density, mixed-use development will be built next to Newton MRT station and Newton Food Centre, while Monk's Hill Road will be converted into a park. A green corridor will also link Newton MRT station to Emerald Hill.

Meanwhile, the Paterson neighbourhood will be transformed into a mixed-use hub with a new integrated development comprising retail and food and beverage offerings, offices and residences built above Orchard MRT station.

As part of Paterson's rejuvenation, the 70-year-old site of the former Institute of Education which relocated to Bukit Timah in 1981 — will be redeveloped, the URA said. The campus was later used by other schools, including Raffles Junior College.