HDB to Develop Punggol as Singapore's First Eco-Town for the Tropics

Date issued : 28 Jan 2010

Singapore's sustainable development model was highlighted by the Minister for National Development, Mr Mah Bow Tan, on 27 Jan 2010 during his keynote address at the International Housing Conference. As part of the sustainable development blueprint, HDB has plans to develop Punggol as Singapore's first Eco-Town to enhance the living environment in its estates, and encourage residents to do their part for the environment.

Sustainable Development Model

Singapore’s overall goal is to grow in an efficient, clean, and green way. The aim is to develop without squandering resources, causing unnecessary waste, and without polluting our environment. We also aim to develop while preserving greenery, waterways, and our natural heritage.

The three key guiding principles are:

a) A long-term, integrated planning approach. We align our policies – from energy to transport to industry and urban planning – and take a long-term, holistic view of our needs and circumstances

b) Adopt a pragmatic and cost-effective approach. We aim to achieve economic growth without degrading the environment, and to do so in the most cost-effective way, recognising that public resources are finite

c) Flexibility. We need to remain adaptable, and adjust flexibly to changes in technology and in the global environment. We will invest in building our capabilities today to give us more options to respond to challenges tomorrow

Punggol as Singapore's First Eco-Town

Punggol will serve as a 'living laboratory' to test new ideas and technologies in sustainable development, integrating urban solutions to create a green living environment. Punggol Town, being one of HDB's younger towns, is well positioned to be developed into an Eco-Town. HDB is already developing its first Eco-Precinct, named the Treelodge@Punggol. With its eco-friendly features that capitalise on nature and the use of green technologies, the precinct will create a green living environment and raise popular awareness of environment sustainability.

Right from the planning stage, Punggol has been designed to promote sustainable living. Punggol Town is planned such that it has smaller, more intimate estates with common green, a wide range of quality housing with supporting facilities, and a well integrated public transport network and enhanced accessibility for residents. In addition, one of the key green initiatives for Punggol is the introduction of a waterway traversing through the town. Leveraging on the waterway, Punggol will herald a new generation of eco-living concepts in the next decade and beyond.

three-pronged approach has been drawn up to develop Punggol as Singapore's first Eco-Town:

a) Introducing effective planning and design concepts to make it conducive for residents to adopt eco-lifestyles

b) Exploiting urban solutions to achieve stretched environmental targets set

c) Engaging, educating and enabling people to be part of the 'go green' efforts

Planning and Design

In promoting the concept of ‘Green Living by the Waters’ in Punggol, more environmentally friendly buildings will be built by tapping on the elements of nature such as sun, rain and wind to aid in the future planning and design of Punggol Town. HDB will also aim for higher Green Mark ratings for new developments along the waterway. Punggol residents will be encouraged to opt for clean commuting through physical provisions like cycling paths, charging stations at carparks and spaces for car sharing services in the estates.

Urban Solutions

HDB will be working with various government agencies and business partners to carry-out large scale test-bedding of new green technologies and urban solutions in the areas of energy, waste and water management. Eventually, HDB hopes to lower the implementation cost of these solutions and to replicate them across other towns islandwide.

People

People have an important role to play in supporting environmental sustainability. HDB will work closely with Advisers, local Town Councils and Grassroots Leaders to engage, educate and encourage residents to go green. Outreach and educational programmes will be organized so that residents of Punggol will be more aware of Punggol’s unique natural environment, the specialised planning and design concepts aimed at minimising impact on the environment, and what they can do to contribute to the environment. This will help instill a sense of commitment from the residents in realising the vision for Punggol as an Eco-Town for the Tropics.

Solar PV Efforts in Public Housing

As part of HDB's ongoing efforts to promote environmental sustainability, HDB is pushing forward the installation of solar photovoltaic panels (PV) at its estates. Four precincts, located at Tampines, Bukit Panjang, Tanjong Pagar and Marine Parade will be equipped with 600 kWp solar PV at their rooftops. The solar power generated will be used to offset the usage by these precincts.

Mr. Tay Kim Poh, Chief Executive Officer of HDB, made this announcement on the second day of the International Housing Conference. He said, “HDB sees investing in this future environment as part of its goal to provide a higher quality of life for residents. As the largest developer in Singapore, we have the responsibility to promote environmental sustainability. We hope to achieve cost-effective solar PV solutions suited for our local environment that could ultimately be replicated in other HDB towns, and the whole of Singapore.

The latest solar PV effort comes after HDB first installed solar PV panels at two precincts at Serangoon and Wellington in 2008 to test the use of renewable energy as part of its Energy SAVE programme. The successful trial at both Serangoon and Wellington has allowed HDB to carry out a wider-scale test-bedding of solar PV to build up solar capabilities. See Annex for background.

Further Collaboration on Solar Energy

On 21 Jan 2010, HDB signed a Research Collaboration Agreement (RCA) with the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS). HDB will be collaborating with SERIS on two research projects:

a) Improvement of Performance of Solar Photovoltaic Systems. The project looks at improving the performance of solar photovoltaic installation in HDB estates. This study involves the installation of monitoring instruments in one of the Wellington Circle solar test-bedding residential blocks to assess the performance of solar power generation. The data received will help towards optimising solar photovoltaic systems which will be beneficial to Singapore and HDB. The study will take about 2 years to complete

b) National Solar Repository of Singapore (NSR). The project is a Clean Energy Programme Office (CEPO) initiative by EDB. The NSR is a database which compiles solar power generation of photovoltaic systems in Singapore to assess the performance of public and private sector solar test-beds funded by CEPO. SERIS has been identified as the lead manager for the NSR, with Singapore Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Polytechnic as NSR programme administrators.

Annex - Progress of solar PV panels installed at HDB estates

Aug 2008: Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) Panel Data for Serangoon and Wellington Precincts

Serangoon and Wellington precincts are the very first HDB precincts to the installed with Solar PV panels in 2008. Block 551 Serangoon North Avenue 3 has the distinction of being the very first HDB block to be installed with Solar PV panels.

With Solar PV panels installed, each precinct is able to generate about 220 kWh per day, enough to meet the electricity requirements for the common services for one block.

Apr 2009: HDB’s Large-Scale Solar Testbed for Public Housing

HDB announced it will conduct a wider-scale test bedding of 3.1 MWp solar PV in some 28 existing HDB precincts and 2 new precincts over a 5-year period. This is by far the largest solar test bed in Singapore, funded from the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Sustainable Development's (IMCSD) budget to the tune of $31 million. The programme will:

Attract several leading global manufacturers to set up base in Singapore and conduct R&D on solar PV panel technologies.

Allow HDB to study the effects of location and differing block configurations to solar electricity generation, as well as assessing the feasibility of various solar PV technologies with regards to the local environment.

Enable HDB to gather numerous learning points from the design and development, installation procedures, and operation and maintenance of solar PV systems when incorporating solar PV technologies into existing HDB buildings. This will further enhance HDB’s overall sustainable building design approach.

Drive down solar PV panel costs with the establishment of manufacturing plants and continual R&D, which accounts for 50-65% of the total market value.

Begin in 2009 and complete by 2015.

Jan 2010 Development

Pictures taken on 26th Jan 2010.

Overview 1

Overview 2






Water tank installed

Dec 09 - Jan 2010 Development

Updates Dec 2009-Jan 2010.

December 09 Development

Pictures taken 4th Dec 09:

Nov 09 Development

Haven't been updating Punggol Lodge for quite a few months...Surprisingly that there are so many changes coming out! Shops are opened! EH and supermarket...Think they shd be ready by dec 09. It will soon be a step forward to our new house except on the construction of the last 2 levels and the interior. It was the moment we were looking forward to when got the house! But as time goes by, thing become different! Esp when nothing was planned.

The EH, pic taken ard lunch time on 8th Nov 09:-


Confectionary cake shop and partial view of hair salon:-


Punggol Lodge from back:-


Coming up of Sheng Siong supermarket:-

Oct 09 Development

Pictures taken on 3rd Oct.

Catch Of The Day

Went for Prawning at Bishan today morning. We rented the rod for 3hrs @ $30 bucks. Its not a too bad experience with 6 catches today (2 big prawn and 4 small ones)..haha..not too bad lah for a first timer like this, as a form of encouragement. The prawn pond is opened 24 hours a day, are currently the biggest prawning facility in Singapore, with 6 ponds and two different levels of prawning areas. Besides prawning, there also amenities for comfort – food, beer, drinks, and even bbq pits for you to cook your catch of the day!

Despite our catches is not too good, there's always lady luck shining on us! A kind hearted uncle given us his catch! That added up to 30 over prawns in total! Yeah Yeah! All thks to uncle, who helps brightened up our day!!!

Punggol Waterway Progresses into Next Phase and Set to Complete Next Year

The development of the Punggol Waterway is progressing smoothly into the next phase. HDB has awarded the construction of the second part (comprising 1.8km) of the 4.2 km waterway to Koh Brothers Building & Civil Engineering Contractor (Pte) Ltd for S$58.9 million. The first part of the waterway (comprising 2.4km) was also awarded to Koh Brothers in January this year.

2. Since the groundbreaking ceremony held in April this year, works on the waterway are progressing well. With the award of the construction works for Part 2 of the Waterway, HDB is committed to complete the Waterway, which is a key element to realise the Remarking Our Heartland plans for Punggol 21+, on schedule by end-2010.

3. Besides engineering works on the remaining 1.8 km of the waterway, a key component of Part 2 of the Punggol Waterway works will see the construction of a 10 m promenade on both sides of the Waterway - bringing nearer to the residents the reality of a leisure stroll and activities along the waterway when works are completed.

4. The vision of Punggol as a Waterfront Town is slowly but certainly taking shape. Besides enabling fun-filled and exciting recreational activities such as water sports in the heart of Punggol Town, the Waterway sets the stage for 21,000 homes that will eventually be built along it in an environment nestled by weaving water and lush greenery.

Punggol estate might get SAFRA club

Releasing its recommendations at a news conference Thursday( 27 August 2009) , the committee chaired by Minister of State for Defence Associate Prof Koo Tsai Kee also listed proposals such as enhanced fitness corners in housing estates for the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT), a new SAFRA clubhouse in Punggol, and a HomeTeam NS clubhouse in the eastern part of Singapore.

Aug 09 Development

Pictures taken on the 29th Aug 09 @ ard 3pm. PL has been developing well. It is constructing its 9th storey now. Carpark has been painted white, main structure is out, we are able to visualise the gap between the carpark and our unit too.

Dining @ Casuarina Curry Resturant

On 24th Aug 09, we went dine in @ Casuarina Curry Resturant located at Thomson Road. Its one of the 10 best resturant recommended here in S'pore. It definitely did not disappoint us indeed. We enjoyed our meal. It served mainly the Indian & Local Specialty. Its casual ambiance had made us very comfortable having dinner there. We ordered fish curry, Matabuk and uttapam, all tasted great. Yummy...yummy...

The Casuarina Curry Restaurant has long been known to serve among the best prata in Singapore. It boasts a variety of unique prata, including the super crispy rectangular prata, pratas with fillings like chocolate, strawberry, corn, milk, durian and banana. If you are nt so much into the adventurous type, just get the usual plain prata, egg prata or onion prata with a serving of curry of your choice. A set menu is also available, where you select one item from each of the different categories of food, which includes dishes such as Chicken Masala, Mutton Curry, Fish Head Curry, and Sotong Sambal.

Bday Treat 09 @ Hot Pot Culture MSQ

19th Aug 09 was a special day; his bday. I took a day leave , breaking away from the hectic work schedule too. We visited the Loyang temple first, having our prayers there. Since, it was my first visit, hope that we can get some lucky there!

Thereafter, we went Marine Sq for our lunch @ Hot Pot Culture. It was a buffet lunch, recommended by the media. However, to our disappointment, its not as fantastic as what we expected, though, it was a free flow al-la-carte lunch @ $13.80 ++ per pax, however taste of the food didn't suit us mostly. Despite that, it was a great experience.