Singapore’s Draft Master Plan 2025: Golf Courses, Science Park & Prime Land Rezoned for Future Housing

Land Use Optimisation Strategy Reshaping Singapore’s Urban Landscape

Under the Draft Master Plan 2025, Singapore is set to undergo a significant transformation in land use allocation. This long-term planning initiative by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) seeks to optimize limited land resources to address national housing demands and enhance urban sustainability.

A key highlight of the plan is the strategic rezoning of large land parcels, particularly golf courses and research estates, to support future residential and mixed-use development. This move reflects a forward-looking approach to balance land scarcity with population growth and economic progress.

Golf Courses to Be Phased Out for Housing

Several expansive greenfield sites, once used for recreational purposes, have been earmarked for rezoning as their leases approach expiry. Notably:

• Orchid Country Club (OCC)

• Warren Golf & Country Club

• Other regional golf courses

These developments are set to unlock land capacity for new housing estates, both private and public, potentially accommodating more than 10,000 new homes at the Orchid Country Club site alone.

Golf course sites are particularly attractive due to their size, infrastructure access, and proximity to existing amenities, making them ideal candidates for urban redevelopment.

Science Park Rezoning: Innovation Meets Urban Living

Beyond leisure spaces, plots within Science Park, especially Science Park Drive, have also been identified for partial rezoning. These parcels will support:

• High-density housing

• Mixed-use residential-commercial spaces

• Work-live-play environments tailored to tech and R&D professionals

This integration fosters synergy between research hubs and residential communities, paving the way for innovative township models where people live near their places of work and innovation.

Emphasis on Mixed-Use Urban Planning

The rezoned sites will not just accommodate new homes, but also embody the concept of mixed-use planning, a pillar of modern city-making. Key features include:

• Residential towers

• Retail and commercial nodes

• Parks and green connectors

• Cycling paths and public transport access

Such planning encourages community interaction, reduces commuting time, and supports a vibrant, sustainable lifestyle in urban hubs.

Government’s Strategic Goals

The land use transformation under Draft Master Plan 2025 is in alignment with several strategic national objectives:

1. Boosting Housing Supply
   Meeting the housing needs of a growing population by unlocking previously underutilized land.

2. Efficient Land Utilization
   Maximizing the value of scarce land through higher-density and multi-functional developments.

3. Climate Change Resilience
   Encouraging more sustainable and compact urban layouts that reduce the carbon footprint.

4. Long-Term Sustainability
   Planning for future demands with adaptable land zoning policies.

Market & Lifestyle Implications

As more golf courses are converted into housing estates, the number of public-access golf facilities will shrink, leading to:

• Higher exclusivity of remaining courses

• Potential increase in golf club membership fees

• Greater emphasis on urban density and resource efficiency

This shift underscores the government's commitment to balancing recreational space with livability, while adapting to the evolving social, economic, and environmental landscape.

Algene Toh

Senior Real Estate Salesperson

Asset Investment Brokers Pte Ltd

Email: admin@bsr2.com

Phone: +65 9008 8002

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