URA Draft Master Plan 2025 unveils new housing in Dover, Defu, Newton and Paterson
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has unveiled its Draft Master Plan 2025, outlining Singapore's land use and development goals for the next 10 to 15 years. New housing estates will be introduced in key areas including Dover, Newton, Defu, and Paterson. These developments aim to deliver at least 80,000 public and private residential units islandwide.
In Dover, a new housing estate located near one-north and several tertiary institutions will feature approximately 6,000 homes in its eastern section, with development set to begin in November 2025. A Government Land Sales site along Dover Road will accommodate the first 625 private apartments. In Newton, the proposed estate will include 5,000 private homes anchored by a high-density mixed-use development adjacent to Newton MRT station and Newton Food Centre. The plan includes converting Monk's Hill Road into a linear park while integrating heritage buildings and mature trees.
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Paterson will see the development of approximately 1,000 private units, including those in a mixed-use hub located above Orchard MRT station. In Defu, currently part of an industrial estate near Paya Lebar Air Base, a new town with both public and private housing is planned. Development will commence as existing business leases expire. The new residential area will prioritize accessibility, with essential amenities located within a 10-minute walking distance.
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Community hubs, amenities, and new parks in multiple towns
As part of broader urban enhancements, URA plans to introduce community hubs modeled after Our Tampines Hub in Sengkang, Woodlands North, and Yio Chu Kang. Additionally, more green spaces and recreational facilities are planned for the north-west region of Singapore. In Bishan, new office and retail developments will be supported by a revamped bus interchange, a new hawker center, and a polyclinic. The area is expected to serve as a sub-regional center, potentially matching Paya Lebar Central in commercial capacity.
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The Draft Master Plan also covers long-term transformation projects in former industrial and special-use areas. The former Sembawang Shipyard, which will close in 2028, and the Singapore Racecourse in Kranji, which hosted its final race in 2024, are both being considered for redevelopment into residential precincts.
City center revitalization and heritage preservation plans
URA's plans include measures to refresh Singapore's city center and enhance connectivity. At Dhoby Ghaut Green, a new elevated pedestrian link bridge will connect the expanded Istana Park to Fort Canning Park. Another bridge linking Marina Centre and Bay East Garden is scheduled to be completed by 2029 to support cyclists and pedestrians.
The URA also announced efforts to preserve heritage, including proposals to conserve buildings such as the NatSteel Steel Pavilion and the former Pasir Panjang English School. In Newton, heritage buildings will be retained and incorporated into new developments to maintain the district's character.
Land optimization and infrastructure for future growth
To support the demands of future development, agencies such as JTC Corporation are continuing feasibility studies for major infrastructure projects. One such project includes Gali Batu Cavern near Mandai, intended as an underground aggregate storage facility to free up surface land.
URA is also beginning investigative work in the waters off East Coast Park to assess geological and seabed conditions for the proposed Long Island reclamation project. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to optimize Singapore's limited land resources amid ongoing challenges such as climate change, global uncertainty, and evolving housing demand.
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National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat stated that the Draft Master Plan represents Singapore's most extensive public engagement effort to date, incorporating feedback from over 220,000 participants since October 2023. The exhibition showcasing the draft plan will run at The URA Centre until November 29, 2025, with a roving version visiting various locations from August 2 to November 9.
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