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With the rejuvenation of Jurong East Regional Centre is almost complete, there are three sub-urban regional centres in Singapore, viz. Jurong East Regional Centre, Tampines and Woodlands. What are regional centres exactly, what is their role of in Singapore? Are there too many regional centres already?
Regional Centres Role
Singapore is a land scarce country, therefore, regional centres have a significant role. Since there is a limitation on the availability of the land, the city has been tightly built up. There is also a need for outdoor space in the outskirts of the city area, which can stand out among suburban areas.
In absence of well located and popular regional centres, Singapore may look like a concrete jungle. Furthermore, well positioned regional centres can also help redistribution of economic activity in the major localitions in the suburbs.
If any regional centres succeeds, it will also encourage people to buy or rent properties in that locality. This will distribute the population evenly through by the process of home-buying and leasing. In the 1990s and until 2010, Tampines was the main regional centre, whereas there was no vibrancy in Jurong East and Woodlands.
Singapore is CBD or the central area works on a very unusual land use model. The CBD is almost quiet as the commercial buildings that are deserted by the working crowd after office hours or on weekends. There are only a couple of residential blocks and ongoing condo projects, which does not give vitality to the area.
Therefore, the desire to develop the suburban areas on the idea of lifestyle corridors such as Punggolís Waterway Living and develop key regional centres is justified.
Tampines, Woodlands and Jurong Regional Centres
When it comes to compare the regional centres, Tampines stands out because the first time home buyers and the sophisticated property owners love east.
Woodlands is yet to give up its border town image, however, it is also continuously developing as an upmarket locality, and Woodlands is expected to grow bigger after the town centre and new MRT stations are completed.
Do regional centres offer better home price?
It is quite impossible to say whether regional centres offer better home price because they are still building. However, the common assumptions is the hype for the properties in these areas are fired by the desire for lifestyle enclaves and new growth corridors This assumption is based on the fact that J Gateway was sold at record prices and the deal finalized too soon.
Which is the most successful regional centre?
So far only Jurong has been developed as a commercial as well as residential area. Another attraction for Jurong is its lakeside area, which appeals to many buyers in the western part of Singapore. Most of the foreign professionals have also chosen Jurong for residential purpose. Jurong is expected to become a future employment hub as there are already suburban offices.
Woodlands is also seeing increased interest from homebuyers and investors because of the fact that it has great potential for long term plan and improved link with Johor. On the other hand Seletar is still in its developmental stage, however, after the completion of commercial developments and residential property, its vibrancy is expected to rise. We can surmise Jurong East, Woodlands and Tampines as the main regional hubs; whereas Seletar will just become a secondary regional hub just like Paya Lebar.
Top Six regional centres in Singapore
- Tampines (including Changi Business Park): This regional center stands the best because of decades of developmental history. Its major strength is positioning, suburban offices and business parks
- Buona Vista: Because of its convenient location and affluent lifestyle, rents are higher than most of the suburban regional centres.
- Jurong East: Currently, this regional center has the highest degree of attraction from investors, homeowners and shoppers, businesses.
- Paya Lebar: Due to the closeness to the city center, Paya receives interest for office space.
- Woodlands: It is going through a makeover, and when it is done it will gain vibrancy. The positioning is still residential, however, it also holds attraction for businesses.
- Seletar: This regional center has not peaked yet, but it has potential.
