1 week ago
Singapore Housing Plan to Clear Forest Triggers Public Backlash
Singapore wants to build more public homes because many people need housing.
One proposed site is Maju Forest, a green area in the western part of the country.
The original plan would clear about two-thirds of the forest.
Many people objected and asked the government to use other places instead.
These alternatives include old building sites, golf courses, and older housing estates.
Thousands of people signed petitions, and about 2,000 joined a nature rally.
The government said it would keep more greenery than first planned.
However, officials said this could mean building fewer homes.
Scientists and conservationists say mature forests help animals, cool the city, and protect public health.
Singapore plans to clear about two-thirds of 23-hectare Maju Forest for public housing.
More than 49,000 people signed petitions calling for alternative development sites and denser redevelopment.
About 2,000 people attended a rally supporting nature and biodiversity, organisers said.
The government said it would retain more greenery, but acknowledged that fewer homes could be built.
Maju Forest contains 113 animal species, including the critically endangered straw-headed bulbul and Sunda pangolin.
- Who
- The Singapore government, residents, conservationists, and housing planners are involved.
- What
- The government is revising a proposal to clear part of Maju Forest for high-density public housing.
- Where
- Maju Forest in western Singapore.
- When
- The proposal was announced in July, and adjustments were announced after a public feedback period closed in August.
- Why
- Singapore needs more public housing but has limited land, while residents and conservationists want to preserve mature forest and biodiversity.
Conservation and alternatives
Housing and land constraints
Whether Maju Forest should be developed
Conservation and alternatives
Residents and conservationists want Maju Forest preserved, citing its mature trees, biodiversity, cooling effects, and public health benefits.
Housing and land constraints
The government says strong public-housing demand cannot be met through brownfield sites alone and that Singapore has limited land for expansion.
Possible alternatives
Conservation and alternatives
Petitioners propose using golf courses, former commercial and institutional sites, and higher-density redevelopment of older public-housing estates.
Housing and land constraints
The government has said not all housing needs can be met by brownfield development alone.
Balancing greenery and homes
Conservation and alternatives
Critics argue that mature forests cannot be quickly replaced by newly planted parks and say the city is sending conflicting messages by promoting tree planting while removing wild areas.
Housing and land constraints
The government says it will retain more greenery than originally proposed, while acknowledging that doing so means fewer homes can be built.
Key facts
- Proposed site
- Maju Forest, a 23-hectare forest in western Singapore.
- Original plan
- Clear about two-thirds of the forest for public housing.
- Public response
- More than 49,000 people signed two petitions, and more than 700 residents signed a letter to their member of parliament.
- Nature rally
- About 2,000 people attended a rally supporting nature and biodiversity, according to organisers.
- Wildlife
- A government-commissioned study identified 113 animal species in Maju Forest.
- Population
- Singapore's population reached 6.11 million as of June last year and is projected to reach 6.5 million to 6.9 million by 2030.
- Government adjustment
- Authorities said they would retain more greenery than originally planned, but did not provide details.
Quotes
Leong Kwok Peng
President of Nature Society Singapore
“They wanted to plant a million trees and yet at the same time they’re removing hundreds and thousands of trees in wild areas.”
theprint.in
“We will work out exactly how much more (greenery), but we’ll have to accept that this means we can build fewer homes.”
theprint.in
Sources
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