Gillman Barracks Maju Forest Housing Plans Not Finalised as Singapore Weighs Growing Demand

Despite Singapore’s falling total fertility rate, housing demand continues to grow. Tan explained that Singaporeans buying homes today were born decades ago when birth rates were higher. Smaller household sizes are also a key driver, with many young married couples wanting a home of their own and preferring to live near their parents. More singles are setting up their own households, and more seniors are living alone.

“These trends mean we need more homes than we did in the past, as the total number of households has increased,” Tan said. He noted that many MPs on both sides of the House have called for wider access to public housing and shorter waiting times for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats. “If we want more Singaporeans to qualify for HDB housing, and to get their homes sooner, then we must build more homes and build them faster,” he added.

Demand for housing in surrounding estates remains strong, with recent BTO launches at Clementi Emerald and Berlayar Rise each oversubscribed by over four times. The ministry had prioritised brownfield redevelopment in Clementi, Bukit Merah, and surrounding areas, including redeveloping the former Keppel Golf Course as part of the Greater Southern Waterfront.

Under the current plans, about two-thirds of the 23-hectare Maju Forest along Sunset Way is proposed for public housing, with the remaining areas retained as wildlife refuges and ecological corridors. Gillman Barracks, a former military site with heritage buildings, and part of the adjacent forest have been proposed for a mixed-use residential neighbourhood with both public and private housing.

The HDB released environmental and historical heritage assessment results for both sites on July 10. A public consultation exercise, which drew approximately 2,712 online comments and several petitions with thousands of signatures calling for preservation of greenery, is expected to conclude on Aug 6. Thirteen lawmakers filed 18 oral questions and 12 written questions in Parliament over the preceding two days.

Tan stressed that the Government cherishes Singapore’s history and greenery, but must also ensure people can afford housing and build essential infrastructure. “We are studying the environmental and heritage findings, listening to public views and examining how the proposals can be improved before the detailed plans are finalised,” he said. He added that the ministry has already reduced the planned number of homes to retain important green and heritage areas identified in impact assessment studies.

Tan outlined how the Government decides where to build, starting with vacant land, maximising the use of existing land, building higher, and going underground. By 2030, the Government will have taken back more than 400 hectares of golf-course land for redevelopment, of which about 80 hectares will be converted to housing. Singapore has about 7,800 hectares of green spaces, including nature reserves, and has safeguarded an additional 1,000 hectares of green space even after accounting for planned developments.

Other sites in the pipeline include the Depot Lane industrial estate, where demolition is underway, and the Cross Island Line worksite near Sunset Way, which will be considered for redevelopment after the MRT line is completed. Maju Camp remains needed for national defence and cannot be used for housing at this point. Port activities will eventually consolidate at the Tuas mega port, potentially freeing up over 7,200 hectares in the greater bay area for future development.

“If we conserve even more, we will build even fewer homes, so we must weigh this trade-off carefully before reaching a final decision,” Tan said. “These difficult choices are not unique to Gillman Barracks and Sunset Way. They will continue to confront us as we build homes, strengthen our economy, expand our infrastructure and realise our vision of a City in Nature.”