Is Singapore Running Out of Land? Unpacking the Facts
With a highly dense population in a tiny island nation, Singapore faces significant challenges regarding land scarcity. Yet, the country has implemented numerous strategies to address this pressing issue. Here's an overview of how Singapore is tackling land scarcity and why it is unlikely to run out of land in the near future.
Understanding Land Scarcity in Singapore
As of August 2023, Singapore's total land area is approximately 728 square kilometers, making the nation one of the smallest in the world. The government has been actively addressing land scarcity through a diverse range of strategies. These include land reclamation, vertical development, integrated planning, and sustainability initiatives.
Strategies to Address Land Scarcity
Land Reclamation
Singapore has a long history of land reclamation, adding approximately 22% to its land area since the 1960s. This ongoing project to reclaim land from the sea continues, albeit at an increasing cost and with significant environmental concerns. These projects not only expand the nation's landmass but also contribute to coastal development and habitat preservation.
Vertical Development
To maximize land use efficiency, Singapore emphasizes vertical construction. High-rise buildings are used for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes, which allows for dense urban living and commercial activities in a compact space. This approach is particularly crucial as the nation's limited land resources need to accommodate a rapidly growing population and economy.
Integrated Planning
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) focuses on integrated land use planning, ensuring that land is allocated efficiently for housing, business, and green spaces. This approach involves a comprehensive strategy to balance urban development with environmental sustainability, promoting a livable and sustainable urban environment.
Sustainability Initiatives
Singapore is also investing in sustainable urban development, including green buildings and smart city initiatives. These initiatives help optimize land use, reduce environmental impact, and enhance the quality of life for residents. For instance, the government has set policies to promote green building standards and smart city technologies to reduce energy consumption and improve resource efficiency.
Why Singapore Won't Run Out of Land
Despite these challenges, Singapore is perfectly equipped to manage its land resources effectively. Here are several reasons why Singapore will not run out of land in the foreseeable future:
Government Land Sales and Lease Expiring Land
The Government Land Sales (GLS) program is based on supply and demand in the country. Land is sold on a 99-year leasehold tenure, and once the lease expires, the land returns to the government. This cycle ensures a steady supply of land for development and urban renewal.
Future Land Zoning and Reclamation
The government revises the Masterplan annually, identifying suitable areas for re-zoning to higher Gross Plot Ratios (GPRs). An increase in GPR means that existing buildings can be demolished to make way for more multi-story structures. For example, a 12-storey building with a GPR of 1.6 could be replaced with a 24-storey building with a GPR of 2.1.
Notably, the Greater Southern Waterfront development is underway, shifting the Tanjong Pagar Port Terminal and the Pasir Panjang Port Terminal to the Tuas Mega Port. This shift will free up a large amount of land for redevelopment. Additionally, land reclamation exercises have been ongoing for years, increasing the landbank in the country.
State-Owned Land and Controlled Population Growth
Driving around areas such as AYE, KJE, SLE, CTE, PIE (or any expressway), you can see that there are many plots of land owned by the state. The government manages the population carefully, preventing a sudden surge in land sales. Real estate developers are also savvy; they carefully purchase land from the enbloc market. Market trends show that the sale of new homes each year hovers between 9,000 to 11,000 units, indicating a controlled and managed market.
Conclusion
While land scarcity remains a pressing concern, Singapore's proactive measures and innovative approaches are well-suited to mitigate these challenges. The government's strategies, combined with controlled population growth and efficient land management, ensure that Singapore will not run out of land in the near future.