INDUSTRIAL ESTATES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT : THE CASE OF SINGAPORE

Abstract

Singapore's impressive industrial development has helped transform what was once an entrepot-dependent British colony into a modern independent city state with a dynamic manufacturing base. And part of that development has been the establishment of planned industrial estates since the beginning of the country's industrialization programme. Though several studies have been made on industrial estates in Singapore, little research has been carried out to assess the overall impact of these industrial estates on the economy. This exercise aims to review the economic, social and urban planning implications of these industrial estates. This study is broadly divided into four parts. The first part examines the meaning of industrial estates and their significance to the economy. The second part traces Singapore's industrial development and the rising importance of the manufacturing sector which provides a crucial link to industrial estate development. The third gives a general overview of industrial estates in Singapore which also includes a discussion on the management aspects of relevant Government agencies. Finally, the last part considers the various contributions of these estates to the economic development of Singapore. Several social and urban redevelopment issues are also addressed.