Planning and design of Tampines, an award-winning high-rise, high density township in Singapore

Abstract

New town planning in Singapore has been entrusted to the Housing and Development Board (HDB) since its establishment in 1960. This paper examines land use planning and design principles for new towns as embodied in HDB's structural model. Using data from field surveys, an analysis is then made of the application and impact of these principles in Tampines, an award-winning new town. It was found that Tampines was efficiently and comprehensively planned using the strategy of hierarchical distribution of population, land uses, open spaces and infrastructure. This has led to the efficient use of land resources to house people and activities, efficient movement of people, goods and services, adequate provision of facilities, and a harmonious spatial pattern of land uses. Tampines was also found to be creatively designed, resulting in a town with a strong and aesthetically pleasing visual identity. © 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.