PAYA LEBAR AIR BASE AND DEFU
When the Paya Lebar Air Base relocates in the 2030s, about 800 hectares of land – five times the size of Toa Payoh – will be freed. Height restrictions in the surrounding area will also be removed, allowing for future taller developments.
URA has said before that this would be developed into a new town with housing, recreational areas and workspaces. Walking and cycling paths, new rail lines and transit priority corridors will be integrated into the town.
The area will honour its aviation heritage by adaptively reusing parts of the old runway and other structures.
The development will take place in phases, starting with the nearby Defu estate in Hougang, which will be transformed into a “new-generation” neighbourhood where residents can access essential services and amenities within a 10-minute walk.
The type and total number of homes to be built is still being studied.
MORE SENIOR-FRIENDLY HOMES AND RECREATIONAL SPACES
The URA’s Draft Master Plan 2025 outlines land use strategies that will guide Singapore’s development over the next 10 to 15 years. It is reviewed every five years.
Beyond new housing developments, the master plan includes proposals in line with long-term planning goals such as enhancing recreational spaces within neighbourhoods and preserving nature and heritage spaces.
As for plans for residents to age in place, more assisted-living options will be introduced, including:
- Community care apartments, which are public housing that integrates senior-friendly design with on-site care and social services
- Private assisted living apartments, the first of which will open along Kovan’s Parry Avenue by early 2026
URA said it also received feedback from Singaporeans for more affordable and accessible recreational options near their homes.
In response, new integrated community hubs are planned for towns such as Woodlands, Yio Chu Kang and Sengkang. Located near transport nodes, these hubs will combine sports, healthcare, retail and recreation under one roof.
