Singapore—As part of broader rejuvenation efforts for Yew Tee and Choa Vhu Kang, a new ‘vertical kampung’ (village) will be constructed specifically for the elderly in mind.
The kampung will include a dialysis center and a polyclinic, among other facilities, and is planned for the north-western part of the island, according to a report from Straits Times (ST).
Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong said on Sunday, September 22, which is Yew Tee Town Day, that the kampung is scheduled for completion by the second half of 2026, and its location will be beside the MRT station of Yew Tee.
The first retirement village in Singapore was built at Kampung Admiralty and opened in May 2018. There are around 100 apartments in the villa, almost all of which are occupied.
The efforts to rejuvenate the area include the construction of the first hawker centre at Choa Chu Kang, as well as building a Green Spine” under the Yew Tee MRT viaduct, which would link the residents from Keat Hong to Limbang to Yew Tee.
Mr Wong said, “Under the MRT viaduct, there is a lot of space. We will create a green spine, which will connect residents from Keat Hong to Limbang to Yew Tee. It will provide more greenery and more park facilities for our residents.”
Other plans in place include the redevelopment of Choa Chu Kang Sports Centre and the upgrading of Yew Tee Park, Limbang Park and Stagmont Park to include areas more conducive for families to spend time.
The Housing Board, along with the People’s Association, Ministry of Health and National Environment Agency, is responsible for the development at Yew Tee.
According to Mr Wong, an MP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, the development will be modeled after the one at Kampung Admiralty, and located at a hard court at Yew Tee Close, which is around 7,000 square meters.
“After Kampung Admiralty, we have been looking at where we can do the next project. It is very hard to find good sites because we want a site that is conveniently located next to MRT stations, and can serve residents well.”
He said, “It will have two-room flexi flats for seniors, just like Kampung Admiralty. It will have a community club, it will have a polyclinic and a kidney dialysis centre. Most importantly, because of your feedback and requests, it will have a hawker centre as well.”
How many flats there will be in all is yet to be announced.
Kampung Admiralty, which is 11 stories high, is the first development that encourages bonding between generations, placing senior centers and childcare facilities in the same area. A community garden and medical services are also found in the same place.
It is found right beside the Admiralty MRT station.
When Kampung Admiralty was launched, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced: “we will build more kampungs like this in future HDB estates”.
It has been considered as a good example as a model for Singapore, given the growing number of ageing members of society. The percentage of residents in Singapore who are 65 years old and over has gone up from 10.5 percent in 2013, to 13.7 percent last year, in 2018, as per the Department of Statistics./ TISG