NON-MOTORISED MOBILITY AT JURONG LAKE DISTRICT: FINDINGS FROM SURVEY OF PROFESSIONALS, MANAGERS AND EXECUTIVES

Abstract

As part of Singapore’s Master Plan 2014, the Jurong Lake District is slated to become the largest regional centre outside of the Central Business District where residents can “live, work, learn and play”. It will be a conducive environment for non-motorised transport e.g. walking and cycling; and for supporting a high level of public transport usage. To that end, the land planning strategy is for Jurong Lake District to be transit-oriented, high-density, mixed used area with a good jobs-housing balance so that residents do not have to travel far for work and other amenities. Many studies reveal the link between land use planning and travel patterns. However, it is not sufficient to overcome transport challenges by simply changing the built environment. There are other factors involved. In a survey of workers in Jurong Lake District, it was found that among those who lived nearby to their workplaces, many still drove to work instead of using non-motorised transport or public transport. The strategies adopted by Hong Kong, Japan and Copenhagen to reduce car dependency may serve as useful examples for Singapore to emulate. Workers at Jurong Lake District can benefit from improved bicycle facilities and even pedestrianisation of certain roads for enhancing walking. Parking demand management should also be implemented since the volume of vehicular and pedestrian traffic is expected to increase as more developments are completed over the next few years.