Singapore is embarking on an ambitious urban transformation by redeveloping Paya Lebar Air Base into a sustainable, future-ready city starting in the 2030s.
This rare opportunity allows planners to rethink how people live, move, and connect with nature. The project reflects Singapore’s long-term vision of balancing growth, resilience, and quality of life.
A Rare Opportunity in a Land-Scarce City
Singapore’s decision to relocate Paya Lebar Air Base is unlocking one of the most significant redevelopment opportunities in the city-state’s history.
Covering a vast tract of land in the eastern part of the island, the former military air base offers something Singapore rarely has: space to reimagine an entire district from the ground up.
Instead of incremental redevelopment, planners are treating Paya Lebar as a blank canvas for a new sustainable city, designed to meet the social, environmental, and economic needs of future generations.
Planning a City for the Long Term
The transformation of Paya Lebar Air Base is guided by Singapore’s long-term planning philosophy, which looks decades ahead rather than reacting to short-term pressures.
The site is envisioned as a mixed-use urban district where people can live, work, and play within the same area.
By integrating residential neighborhoods with offices, amenities, and recreation, planners aim to reduce commuting distances and encourage a more balanced, human-centered urban lifestyle.
Flexibility is also a key principle. Land parcels are being planned to adapt over time as demographics, technologies, and lifestyles change.
This ensures that the district can evolve without needing disruptive redevelopment in the future, supporting sustainability not just environmentally, but economically and socially as well.
Putting Sustainability at the Core
Environmental sustainability is central to the Paya Lebar vision. The district is being designed to minimize energy use and carbon emissions through climate-responsive urban design.
Building layouts are planned to maximize natural ventilation and daylight, reducing reliance on air-conditioning and artificial lighting. District-level energy systems, potentially including solar power and centralized cooling, are expected to further improve efficiency.
Water management is another major focus. Green infrastructure such as bioswales, rain gardens, and retention ponds will help manage stormwater naturally, reducing flood risk while improving water quality.
These features also contribute to a cooler microclimate, an important consideration in Singapore’s tropical environment.
A Green Network Connecting People and Nature
One of the defining features of the new Paya Lebar district is its emphasis on greenery and open space. Instead of treating parks as isolated pockets, planners are creating an interconnected green network that runs through the entire area.
Tree-lined streets, linear parks, and landscaped corridors will link homes, workplaces, and public spaces, making walking and cycling more pleasant and intuitive.
This approach supports biodiversity by providing habitats and ecological connections for urban wildlife. At the same time, it enhances residents’ quality of life by ensuring that nature is never far away.
Access to green spaces has been shown to improve physical health, mental well-being, and social cohesion, all of which are key goals of the redevelopment.
Designing for Car-Light Living
Mobility in the new Paya Lebar city is being rethought to prioritize public transport, walking, and cycling. The area will be well-connected to Singapore’s existing rail and bus networks, making public transport the most convenient option for most trips.
Streets are being designed with pedestrians and cyclists in mind, featuring safe crossings, shaded walkways, and dedicated cycling paths.
By reducing dependence on private cars, the district aims to lower carbon emissions, improve air quality, and reclaim street space for people rather than vehicles.
This car-light approach also aligns with Singapore’s broader transport strategy, which emphasizes efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability.
Building a Community
Beyond physical infrastructure, the Paya Lebar redevelopment places strong emphasis on community life. Public spaces such as plazas, community hubs, and cultural facilities are being woven into the urban fabric to encourage interaction and inclusivity.
Housing options are expected to cater to a diverse population, supporting social mixing across different income groups and life stages.
The goal is to create a place with a strong sense of identity rather than a generic new town. By preserving certain site features and integrating thoughtful urban design, planners hope Paya Lebar will develop its own character while still fitting seamlessly into the wider city.
An Example for Future Urban Development
As Singapore faces the twin challenges of climate change and limited land, the transformation of Paya Lebar Air Base serves as a testbed for future urban solutions.
The project demonstrates how careful planning, sustainability, and community-focused design can come together at scale.
If successful, it could influence how cities across the region and beyond rethink large-scale redevelopment, proving that dense urban living and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
