City: Singapore
State/Province: Singapore
Country: Singapore

Koon Hean Cheong, Chief Executive Officer, Housing & Development Board:
Singapore has a unique situation where more than 80% of its population live in public housing towns. Bedok is one of older public housing towns, and the Remaking Our Heartland (ROH) programme was an opportunity to comprehensively rejuvenate the Bedok town centre and serve the town’s changing needs. This was an immensely challenging task, as we were not dealing with a blank slate – this was a space already fully occupied and used by thousands of residents. In rejuvenating the Bedok town centre, we wanted to inject greater vibrancy and further strengthen community. At the same time, the works must be carried out seamlessly without disrupting businesses and daily life. Thus, careful and sensitive planning with the local community, businesses, and other government agencies had to be done to phase the works over 8-years. Seeing Bedok Town Centre transformed into what it is today – a vibrant and integrated hub with improved facilities, public spaces and living environment enjoyed by all – makes the tireless hours we put into the planning, design and coordination all worth it.

Images courtesy of HDB