During the National Day Rally this past Sunday night, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong shared plans for the northern part of Singapore. Noting that some people consider it more ulu and remote, he set about to correct that perception by highlighting three areas: Woodlands, Kranji, and Sembawang.
A Historical Gateway Into Singapore
Woodlands has been the “northern gateway into Singapore” since the mid-1800s. Back then, ferries transported people and plantation goods across the Johor Strait. These plantation estates in Woodlands grew products such as pineapple, rubber, gambier, and nutmeg further inland. Nomadic Orang Seletar lived among the mangrove forests and marshes along the coast.
By the 1920s, however, the opening of the Johor-Singapore Causeway overcame the need for these ferries, and the Johor State railway joined with the Singapore-Kranji railway to become what was known as the Federated Malay States Railways (FMSR). It was the first train connection between the island of Singapore and the Malay Peninsula.
Source: BiblioAsia/National Library Board
Perhaps the biggest icon of the North of Singapore’s connectivity to the rest of the world came in 1938, when the British Government completed the construction of a Naval Base following World War I. It had what was then the largest dry dock in the world. The Base led to the construction of several residences in Sembawang for British staff, some of which, such as the Former Admiralty House and back-and-white homes, still stand today.
As part of the exit of British troops by the early 1970s, following Singapore’s independence, the naval base was transferred to the Singapore Government to become Sembawang Shipyard.
Transforming Sembawang Shipyard Into A Waterfront Lifestyle District
When commercial operations in Sembawang Shipyard began in 1972, they reportedly revenues of $71.2 million and a profit of $15 million. Over the next three decades, it would remain a major player in Singapore’s maritime and shipping industry.
Source: URA Draft Master Plan 2025
For a time, Sembawang Shipyard was one of the top vessel repair and upgrade solutions providers in the region. However, the lease for the shipyard is due in 2028, and parent company Seatrium has decided to relocate operations to Tuas.
The announcement of the URA Draft Master Plan 2025 in June revealed that the Sembawang Shipyard area would be progressively transformed into a distinctive mixed-use waterfront district.
In his National Day Rally, PM Wong showed several possibilities of how the area’s coastal and maritime character would be incorporated. He shared several proposals, including one to turn the dry dock into a community space for sports and recreation.
Source: URA Draft Master Plan 2025
It’s not clear when these changes will come to Sembawang, but changes with a more definite timeline can be found in Woodlands.
Read Also: National Day Rally 2025: 6 Ways That Shape The Future Of Singapore Beyond SG60
A New Link To Malaysia
In January this year, the agreement to establish the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) was signed. Further improvements to cross-border connectivity are a necessity, shared PM Wong at the National Day Rally. The Woodlands Checkpoint will be redeveloped and expanded to ensure shorter waiting times and less traffic congestion.
Source: URA Draft Master Plan 2025
The area around Woodlands North MRT Station will be developed to become a vibrant employment and manufacturing hub called Woodlands Gateway. It will feature a Multi-Modal Transport Hub designed to allow seamless transfers across various types of public transport.
Crucially, it will connect current services to the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link. This rail shuttle service connects Woodlands North station in Singapore to the upcoming Bukit Chagar station in Johor Bahru. This new RTS Link provides convenient access from Singapore to Johor Bahru City Square and Komtar JBCC malls just outside the CIQ complex.
Source: URA Draft Master Plan 2025
Woodlands Gateway will also offer mixed-use industrial spaces that support manufacturing firms with operations in both Singapore and Johor. However, for new industrial estates, we need to look to Kranji.
Read Also: URA Draft Master Plan 2025: How The West Will Become More Connected And Future-Ready
Several New Developments For Emerging Industries
Kranji will be home to new industrial estates. The Sungei Kadut Eco-District will transform one of Singapore’s oldest industrial estates into one that supports emerging industries, including agri-tech and environmental technology. It will be supported by a new MRT station, which will also serve as an interchange connecting the North-South Line and the Downtown Line.
Source: URA Draft Master Plan 2025
The Gali Batu Industrial Estate will be developed with an Integrated Construction and Prefabrication Hub and complementary activities that support our construction sector. It will also be supported by a new MRT station on the Downtown Line.
Both new Downtown Line stations are expected by 2035.
28,000 New Homes In The North By 2035
All these new developments will create thousands of jobs. That is why over 28,000 new homes will be built over the next decade. Firstly, 14,000 new flats and private homes will be built in two new areas, Sembawang North and Woodlands North Coast. This will be followed by another 14,000 new public and private homes in Kranji.
Sembawang North is a new neighbourhood in Sembawang Town, announced in October 2024. It will have 8,000 BTO flats and 2,000 private housing units when fully developed.
Source: URA Draft Master Plan 2025
Woodlands North Coast will be a mixed-use waterfront development housing 4,000 new flats. It will be within walking distance of Woodlands North MRT Station and the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link. The Housing by the Woods projects in Woodlands North Coast are expected to enjoy excellent views of next-door Admiralty Park as well as Woodlands Waterfront.
Source: URA Draft Master Plan 2025
Finally, the former Singapore Racecourse site at Kranji will be transformed into a new housing estate. These 14,000 new homes will have convenient access to nature trails like the Rail Corridor and the Round Island Route.
