Woodlands Regional Center 

Introduction 

The major economic centre in Singapore’s North will soon be the Woodlands Regional Centre. On more than 100 hectares of arable land, the Woodlands Regional Centre will receive new areas for commerce, industry, research and development with activities, and innovation over the next 15 years. The uses in Singapore’s north open up several new opportunities. The Northern Agri-Tech and Food Corridor will link the future Agri-Food Innovation Admiralty Park with other parts of the region’s ecosystem, such as farms, Republic Polytechnic (which has started a relevant diploma program), and commercial spaces in Woodlands Regional Centre.

Two Thriving Precincts 

The early designs for the Woodlands Regional Center are part of the new North Coast Innovation Corridor. That was in the Land Use Plan last month and was discussed over the weekend by Minister for National development activities Mr Khaw Boon Wan.

The Woodlands Regional Centre is to develop into a waterfront destination and a lifestyle hub. And about 100 acres of land suitable for construction. According to Mr Khaw, the Woodlands Regional Centre would be divided into two distinct areas.

As a distinctive waterfront and leisure destination for Singaporeans, the first Thriving Precincts the Woodlands North Coast, which comprises the region between Republic Polytechnic and the Woodlands Waterfront, is planned. The goal is to develop a combination of commercial, residential, and recreational uses in a lush waterfront setting.

The vicinity around the Woodlands MRT station is the other waterfront precinct known as Woodlands Central. It is to serve as a hub that is pedestrian-friendly and serves people in the North Region. Residents may anticipate a busy pedestrian mall that acts as a  hub for leisure activities and community events. 

To create a street environment will be surrounded by low-rise commercial developments with busy, activity-producing uses on the first floor. Joining the community of Singapore business districts Mr. Khaw started the North Coast Innovation Corridor. The Regional Centre of the Woodlands will serve as its anchor.

The North Region’s primary commercial cluster, the Woodlands Regional centre, is envisioned as a thriving live-work-play area. The Woodlands Regional Centre will bring job opportunities and amenities closer to homes by giving businesses alternatives to the city centre. Additionally, it will join the brand-new Thomson MRT Line, which will begin service in stages between 2019 and 2021.

Woodlands Regional Center is to see additional development over the coming years, especially on the site surrounding the Woodlands MRT interchange, now that the stations, location, and path of the new Thomson MRT Line.

Additionally, the Woodlands Regional Centre will soon be easier to reach. When the Thomson Line is, two additional MRT stations will be built in the region in addition to the North-South MRT line, according to Mr. Khaw. The city centre will be accessible from Woodlands, Sembawang, Yishun, Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, and  Toa Payoh via the upcoming North-South Expressway. Additionally, the rail connection to Johor will improve connectivity

Two separate lifestyle precincts will exist at Woodlands Regional Center.

There will be two unique complementary precincts in the future Woodlands Regional Centre, which intends to bring jobs closer to residences in the north.

 It was said by National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Sunday when he introduced the area’s preliminary plans. These proposals are a component of Singapore’s proposed land use master plan, which will be on later this year.

The Woodlands North Coast will comprise the region between Republic Polytechnic and the Woodlands Waterfront and will receive 70% of the funding. The Woodlands North Coast is to be Singapore’s only waterfront recreational space. 

The goal is to integrate commercial, residential, and lifestyle development within a beautiful natural setting near the lake. The other precinct will be Woodlands Central, which covers the region surrounding the Woodlands MRT station. It will transform into a neighbourhood retail developments hub that welcomes foot traffic.

According to Mr Khaw, “There will be more shopping centres, HDB BTOs, private condominiums, ECs, and of course, commercial activities and jobs, jobs for the people so that the people do not have to drive too far to go to their workplaces.” By 2019, two MRT stations on the Thomson Line (Woodlands and Woodlands North stations) will be open to service the Woodlands Regional Center.

The projected rail connection to neighbouring Johor will stop at the Woodlands North station, which will act as an interchange. There are also proposals to locate an immigration processing facility there, according to Mr. Khaw. But he added that it is unlikely that Woodlands will be the location of the high-speed rail line connecting Singapore and Kuala Lumpur  “because in the North, with our projects, as you can see, would be rather congested.” “By stabilising the BTO prices, we can tie them to the targeted population’s median income. Therefore, we can always guarantee that the new BTO prices will be for newly formed families, and we can fulfil that promise.

Woodlands North Coast 

A nine-story light industrial structure named 1 North Coast will be a part of the future Woodlands North Coast (WNC) precinct. It offers enterprises first-of-its-kind flexible workspaces that enable them to house manufacturing operations and non-industrial functions under one roof.

The design of 1 North Coast promotes seamless integration. For instance, a shared basement parking lot with areas for loading and unloading aids in reducing traffic on the ground level. With Republic Polytechnic only a short distance away, chances to work with the best minds are abundant. A food court, cafe/restaurant, takeaway kiosks, and a convenience store are all part of the precinct’s vibrant campus-like ambience.

The main attraction of 1 North Coast is the improved local and regional connectivity. Seletar Expressway (SLE) is a drive away, while Woodlands North MRT station is. The Johor-Singapore Causeway and RTS Link are close by, bringing commerce from both sides of the straits closer. A brand-new waterfront mixed-use commercial and lifestyle district called Woodlands North Coast will be built in Singapore’s north, strategically close to Johor Bahru. The independent regional hubs and business node is a component of Singapore’s decentralisation plan, bringing jobs closer to people’s homes in the north.

Together with lead consultant Aedas and master planner JTC, we worked on the idea and detailed master plan to create a design that prioritises livability and people. With “smart” and “car-lite” goals, the desirable combination of a commercial, residential, retail, and public array of amenities is a vast network of cycle and walking paths.

Within the concept, we are also working on two experimental industrial buildings by JTC that will include areas for knowledge-based or service-based businesses to co-locate with traditional manufacturing companies. The highest sustainability certification available for new non-residential structures, the BCA GreenMark Platinum accreditation, was received by both pilot buildings.

Built for humans, not for cars

To the demands of neo-manufacturing, business, and innovation, the master plan places people and liveability while also making that space adaptable, diversified, and comfortable connections.

The mobility strategy was essential to this shift. Private vehicles, large trucks, and other types of transportation are underground, and internal roads with pedestrian-friendly streets and active mobility corridors for biking and walking.

Conceptual illustration of Singapore’s Woodlands North Coast 

Internal roads of the area will feature pedestrian-friendly lanes and active transportation corridors for biking and walking. 

To encourage creative collisions between various businesses kinds. We have merged the boundaries between private and public spaces industry clusters, resulting in a setting that resembles a campus and is permeable and walking. 

The development’s central spine, which connects the parcels, is designed to be a continuous green space that is open, shaded, and pedestrian and connects to environmentally friendly public transport corridor. 

To promote a community among the residential and commercial activities. It is also retail, facilities, and placemaking activities. With an Integrated Transport Hub located within the , there are numerous business and development prospects. While the upcoming Thomson-East Coast Line connects the region to the central district of Singapore, the Rapid Transit System station will create a cross-border connection to Johor Bahru.

Sustainable and Smart.

We created “smart” technology plans and systems for people living and workS in this new mixed-use zone. Our design was on boosting user experience, mobility, and sustainability. Environmental monitoring, improved last-mile walkability, and “smart” estate techniques for parking, lighting, and waste collection are a few of the initiatives. An estate-wide operation centre that can monitor and optimise energy and utility use, traffic and transportation, trash management, and other crucial activities will gather data.

Conceptual illustration of Singapore’s Woodlands North Coast 

Our design was on boosting user experience, mobility, and sustainability. As an alternative to building separate plants for each building, we also suggested and developed a shared chiller plant for the two experimental industrial buildings to improve operational efficiency, minimise operating costs, and lessen the carbon impact. The designs of both structures are also adaptive and versatile, allowing them to be joined to district-wide cooling in the future development to boost operating effectiveness even more.

The north of Singapore, a region of the island where I have many fond recollections from childcare centres, seems to be developing more quickly. The former naval installation gets nearest to the causeway. 

It is unrecognisable due to the demolition of all. But one of its blocks and the removal of its parade ground. In an event organised by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) last week, opportunities for residents of the former “Torpedo Lines” at Khalsa Crescent, most recently a jail, came back to say farewell and have their memories collected before its likely eventual demolition. 

A little further east, it has been a while since the elevation that served as the site of a UNHCR camp for “Boat People” fleeing Woodlands South Vietnam. The former View Road Hospital, a division of Woodbridge Hospital (now Institute of Mental Health), was situated at the same elevation. If the URA Master Plan for the area is the building that once housed it, which was built in 1941 and is still standing, soon vanishes from view.

The View Road observation tower.

It may not have much architectural significance or value in the grand scheme of buildings. Buildings within the former naval base, the former View Road Hospital is also a residence for Asian Naval Base Policemen and their families. It has become one of my favourite locations since I began leading tours in collaboration with the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) in 2017. 

The views one can receive from its lookout tower, which now gives one an impression of the extent of renovation taking place in and around it, are Why that is the case.

The Rail Transit System link, which will use a 25-metre-high bridge to connect Woodlands North and Bukit Timah Expressway in Johor Bahru, is an example of the development activity that is currently visible. With a peak capacity of 10,000 passengers per hour, when it opens at the end of 2026, it will turn the area into a significant entry point for cross-border human traffic.

The projected Woodlands North Coast, a part of the larger Woodland Regional Centre, is one of the initiatives presently underway in the area that does seem to mean the end for the former hospital, according to the URA Master Plan.

Woodlands Central 

The WoodsVista Gallery, a communal link with designated cycling trunk routes and walking lanes, will run through the hawker centre  of the precinct. It would enable a seamless connection between the Woodlands North Coast precinct and the Woodlands MRT Interchange Station/bus interchange. To create a cosy street environment will be surrounded by low-rise commercial complexes with activities and neighbourhood events. With public areas connected to a pedestrian network with covered walkways and designated bicycle lanes throughout the precinct, getting about Woodlands Central will be a snap.

A desirable, energetic, and well-connected environment for workers ,businesses in the business services, research, and technology, as well as the agricultural and agri-tech sectors, will develop on the 30-hectare Woodlands Central site. New recreational and leisure facilities will also be available to residents.

Developers Showed Strong Interest In A Prime Commercial Site.

For the first prime commercial site in the heart of Woodlands Regional Centre, the group Far East Organization, Far East Orchard, and Sekisui House made the highest offer of about $634 million, or $907psf PPR.

Additionally, it outbid the second-highest bidder by just 2.1%. With bids submitted, the demand appears robust, and several well-known developers. The fact that developers are interested in this location is evidence of their faith in the future Woodlands Regional Centre, which might emulate Jurong Regional Centre’s success by following the plans outlined in the 2008 Master Plan. Given its proximity to Malaysia’s SEZ, the Iskandar, the Woodlands Regional Center might play a complementary role. The announcements of both Prime Ministers following their annual retreat earlier this week also revived the growing momentum in Iskandar. 

The Northern Gateway At Woodlands Regional Centre

The decentralisation strategy IS in Concept Plan 1991. It is to avoid congestion and overdevelopment in the Central Business District. 

Marina Bay area has resulted in Woodlands Regional Centre becoming the fourth regional centre after Jurong Lake District, Paya Lebar Central, Jurong East Lake Regional Center, and Tampines Regional Centre in 1992.

In Singapore’s north, it will be another growing sector. The Woodlands Regional Centre Northern Gateway will include commercial, residential, and lifestyle components in each of its two districts, Woodlands Central and Woodlands North Coast. Over the next 10 to 15 years, Woodland will develop into a thriving live-work-play precinct situated in a lush green northern waterfront thanks to the more than 100 ha of land available for expansion.

A Large Untaught Potential

In Woodlands, we saw enormous unrealized potential. Residents of Woodlands, the only regional hub with a coastal waterfront location, may anticipate taking in the breathtaking views of the Straits of Johor. With more than 100 acres of office development land and 700 000 sq m of new commercial space, Woodlands will have excellent rail connections to Malaysia. It satisfies the needs of SME companies that can take advantage of the environment in proximity to a significant transportation hub and great convenience at lower costs than the CBD area. We think Woodland Regional Centre is poised to realise its full potential as Singapore’s Northern Gateway thanks to new public transport connectivity infrastructure and space for expansion.

Many Growth Catalysts For Forests

Connectivity used to be one of Woodlands’ weaknesses because it may take up to 35 minutes to drive there and over an hour to take the Mass Rapid Transit system (MRT). Additionally, the causeway may put off both visitors and locals. The Woodlands Regional Centre’s accessibility will be significantly improved with the construction of the Thomson Line (TSL) and North-South Expressway (NSE), cutting travel time to the city centre. By 2019, the Woodlands TSL will have three stations: Woodlands North, Woodlands, and Woodlands South. The current North-South Line will be to Woodlands station, which will transform into an interchange station. 

The current Woodlands Waterfront will be eastward so the public can use the entire waterfront area. Along the enlarged waterfront park, new residential construction with thoughtful design. Residents that live closer to the coast to experience the breathtaking sea views right outside their door, far from the bustle of the city.

According to the most recent Draft Master Plan 2013, as development picks up speed over the following 10 to 15 years, the Woodlands Regional Centre. It will see an increase in commercial activity. According to the decentralisation strategy, which aims to bring jobs closer to where people live, retail and office spaces are integrated developments would be implemented. In December 2013, the Woodlands Regional Center’s first commercial property was for public bid.

The housing estate will become famous as a thriving commercial developments and employment possibilities. This regional hub will be able to provide almost 100,000 additional employment once. In the nearby towns of Yishun and Sembawang Woodlands more than 500,000 people live there. The significant increase in employment could increase housing demand in the area if the regional centre grows and prospers.

It is in addition to improvements in internal accessibility. We anticipate that more Malaysians will send their kids across the causeway for school or use the new North-South MRT Lines to commute to work.

More Singaporeans will also cross the causeway for weekend shopping of the falling value of the Malaysian ringgit. Synergies between Singapore and Malaysia can capitalise on each other’s strengths with improved connectivity. Property prices in Woodlands may rise unexpectedly if that occurs soon. 

A Desirable Rental Market

There aren’t many options for renters looking for a finished private house in Woodlands. There aren’t many condos available in Woodlands because only five projects have been finished there in the last ten years. Three of the five projects were more than ten years ago. While working in the industrial parks in Woodlands, some renters turn to rent homes and condos in nearby housing estates like Yishun and Sembawang. Districts 25 (Woodlands) and 27 (Yishun and Sembawang) had rental yields of 4.0% and 4.2%, in 2013, above the island route average of 3.8%.

Local and foreign workers from the industrial clusters and offices may further boost the allure of its rental market once the regional centre develops into a fully functional business hub with 100,000 jobs.

A Gorgeous Investment Opportunity

We closely examined Jurong Regional Centre to evaluate the potential growth and development trajectory because of the similarities between the two regional centres. Woodlands regional centres share common grounds in terms of planning. They both need 10 to 15 years to grow. The two regional centres are two precincts. precinct with homes It enables citizens to live a greener lifestyle while combining business, leisure, and housing. 

Both receive assistance from business parks and academic institutions to increase commercial activity. The regional centre has been five years since Jurong Lake District shopping malls like JCube and JEM and the relocation of government agencies. 

Property values in Jurong are currently in line with the area’s expansion. Prices for non-landed private residences have increased in Jurong by 64% since 1Q2008, outpacing the OCR average of 58.5%. In all transactions, the non-landed in Woodlands is less than OCR. Infrastructure and commercial developments, the property market in Woodlands may provide upside potential compared to the direction of Jurong Lake District.

It can act as the strategic hub for the Northern Agri-Tech and Food Corridor because it is tucked away in a vibrant, green environment while connected to essential areas in Singapore and Johor Bahru. This Corridor will be the future Agri-Food Innovation Park and Woodlands Regional Center with beneficial components of the North ecosystem, integrating the variety of uses in Singapore’s north. 

The Northern Agri-Tech and Food Corridor will link the planned Agri-Food Innovation Park to components of the northern environment. As farms, Republic Polytechnic and commercial areas in Woodlands Regional Center.

Upcoming Developments 

Future Construction Sale Site for mixed-use development Project at Woodlands 

The Woodlands TEL station, which will open in 2019 and to the upgraded Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange, is something that locals, employees, and visitors can anticipate.

The land tract above the TEL station in the Woodlands is for a mixed-use project that includes office, residential, and retail space. Residents of the north region will have more chances to work closer to their homes, enjoy a variety of F&B and entertainment amenities, and live in a high-quality living environment

Forest Hills Central

Woodlands Regional Centre Woodlands will be a flourishing business and social hub. Because of its closeness to well-established industrial estates and the broad mix of office retail,business parks, and industrial spaces dispersed throughout its two precincts, Woodlands Regional Centre is well-positioned to become the economic centre in Singapore’s North. Woodlands Central will be a walkable,pedestrian paths focused regional hub serving the nearby residents in the North area with the nearby Woodlands North Coast precinct.

Additionally, it will give Woodlands Central more life after Woods Square, a commercial building with 58,000 square metres GFA of office space, is finished in 2019.

Thomson-East Coast and North-South MRT Lines’ Connecting Places

Converging Locations

The land parcel has the Woodlands MRT station, from which commuters can take the Thomson-East Coast and North-South MRT Lines. The Seletar Expressway (SLE), Bukit Chagar Timah Expressway (BKE), and the upcoming North-South Corridor, Singapore’s first integrated transportation corridor with cycling trunk routes and express bus services between Woodlands and the city, are also convenient routes to get there.

Forest Hills Central

A Fusion of Talents, Ideas, and Activities

With a solid mix of office, retail, residential, entertainment, F&B, and other complementing uses, Woodlands Central will serve as a regional hub. Future development with office and retail construction will elevate Woodlands Central’s status as the primary regional hub supporting the North population and businesses by transforming it into a significant commercial hub. The two precincts will add almost 10,000 extra dwellings to Woodlands Regional Center. This precinct will be transformed into a live, work, learn, and play environment thanks to Republic Polytechnic’s proximity.

The WoodsVista Gallery, a communal link with designated cycling and walking lanes, will run through the centre of the precinct. It would enable a seamless direct connection between the Woodlands North Coast precinct and the Woodlands MRT Interchange Station/bus interchange.

To create a cosy street environment will be surrounded by low-rise commercial complexes with activities and neighbourhood events. With public areas to a connections for pedestrians network with covered walkways and designated bicycle lanes throughout the precinct, getting about Woodlands Central will be a snap.

A desirable, energetic, and well-connected environment for businesses in the business services, research, and technology, as well as the agricultural food and agri-tech sectors, will develop on the 30-hectare Woodlands Central site. New recreational and entertainment facilities will also be available to residents.

Connecting Places & people 

Linking People

The upcoming construction will be integrated into an extensive network of convenient connections for cyclists and walkers, connecting people from the centre of Woodlands Central to nearby projects to the undeveloped Woodlands shoreline. Cycling enthusiasts can join the round-island route from there as well. The precinct’s new public areas will provide a lively pedestrian experience with attractions for people to hang out and enjoy. This car-lite vision will result in a deep and sustainable built environment for companies district’s employees, clients, and residents.

Singapore is a popular urban vacation spot. Its economy is expanding at the quickest rate in the world. In the previous few decades, all its residential regions, particularly its northern section of Woodlands, have experienced tremendous expansion and development. Singapore is a fantastic place to go on vacation with your pals. If you want to visit a spot that is both peaceful and active, Woodland is the best place to start. With friends, there are many activities you may enjoy in the woods to have a beautiful vacation. In this wonderful city with its quickly expanding economy, you may experience everything. It combines bustling cities with serene beach towns. 

Singapore is one of the best cities in the world, and its residents are known for their exemplary work ethic. To unwind from their busy work schedules, Singaporeans like to vacation in Woodlands, a tranquil and picturesque seaside town in Singapore. The area’s silence aids in calming your thoughts and allowing you to unwind so your body can be ready for the day.

In Singapore’s northern region, there is a planned area and residential development community called Woodlands. The Johor-Singapore Causeway connects it to Johor Bahru, the southernmost city in Malaysia. Because of this, it is excellent for trade, business, and tourism, drawing visitors from all over the world. It serves as the North Region’s regional hub. Sembawang is to the east, Mandai is to the south, Sungei Kadut is to the west, and Johor Bahru is to the north of the Woodlands planning area. Woodlands New Town is inside the Woodlands planned area.

Three Activities For Friends In The Woodlands

The best three activities to do in Woodlands with friends to have an action-packed vacation in Singapore are listed below:

Nighttime Show

Without experiencing the local culture, what is the sense of travelling? The nighttime performances must have the solution to everything, though! There are many different forms of entertainment to enjoy in Choa Chu Kang, but night shows are at the top of the list for all the right reasons. Local artists in this area are adept at expressing their affection for the city and its people. And they are masters at hypnotising their audience. 

Among the well-liked nighttime performances is Fountain of Wealth and Wing of Time. Your breath with dance performances, 3D effects, lasers, and bright lighting. So be sure to secure one of those seats for the evening performances and have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Photographic

One of the most popular pastimes for tourists and residents alike is this. It is not surprising that individuals take advantage of this fact. It is spread out across such a region and engages in some photography there. You can take shots of the birds or perhaps some general portraits of the area.

Observing birds

The visitors there prefer to engage in bird watching as their favourite activity. Due to the abundant greenery of exotic species in this area, more and more people are taking up bird watching,  simply relaxing and exploring the area in search of birds.