NEED FOR BUSINESS PARKS IN SINGAPORE, THE

Abstract

In a short span of little more than three decades, Singapore has progressed into a prosperous and rapidly growing economy with a good supporting infrastructure. As the structure of the economy changes from labour intensive to capital intensive and knowledge-based, there must be simultaneous improvements and upgrading to the industrial infrastructure to accommodate these changes. To maintain competitiveness, the government has recognized that Singapore needs to move into an innovative phase of development and increase the capacity to undertake international standard research and development. The government has through its various ministries and statutory boards, ensure proper land-use planning and provision of adequate infrastructure facilities, from flatted factories to the up and coming business park development. As Singapore moves into the era of Information Technology, there is an emerging trend of companies engaging in industry research and development (R & D). At the same time, their accommodation needs have changed from simple designs and facilities to specially designed buildings with quality finishes in conducive environments. The concept of business parks tries to incorporate a host of different functions, ranging from light manufacturing, research and development to marketing and distribution of products, within one large landscaped environment. It is also an industrial facility specially catering to the needs of high technology and knowledge-based industries for cleaner and office-like environment. To ascertain the demand for business park developments in Singapore, a survey was carried out on the high-tech manufacturing industries, the laboratory testing industries and the computer data processing and product design companies. Several observations were made from the result of the survey. Firstly, there are more and more companies moving into industry Research and Development. Secondly, there is a change in the industries' location and design considerations from traditional factory designs to modern, clean and high-tech buildings. There is also an increase in the level of concern for image and prestige rather than design efficiency. Thirdly, almost three quarters of the respondents of the survey indicated a keen interest in relocating their operations to business park developments. Although the survey was carried out on a relatively small scale, it gave an indication that these new generation, high-tech industrial developments shall continue to grow in demand.