Bukit Merah to see refurbished town centre, more green spaces; residents given opportunities to co-create

Residents of Bukit Merah can look forward to rejuvenation plans coming to fruition within the next five years, announced the Housing Development Board (HDB) on Saturday (Sep 16). 

The refurbishment will see new pedestrian and cycling paths, accessibility upgrades to Neighbourhood Centres (NCs), thematic playgrounds, and educational boards around Bukit Merah.

According to HDB, the areas that constitute Bukit Merah include Redhill, Tiong Bahru, Telok Blangah, Mount Faber and a part of Tanjong Pagar. The updates are part of the Remaking our Heartland (ROH) project.

ROH has previously been rolled out for 13 towns and estates, and is currently slated for Ang Mo Kio, Choa Chu Kang, and Queenstown alongside Bukit Merah. 

The plans will utilise the “unique appeal of Bukit Merah, with its distinctive charm and character”, according to Ms Indranee Rajah, Second Minister for National Development and Adviser to Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) Grassroots Organisations (GROs), at the ROH Exhibition for Bukit Merah’s launch.

For those who enjoy the outdoors, HDB will also launch more green spaces within estates, as well as in specific areas to increase accessibility. 

One key area is the Rail Corridor, which will soon be connected to the Town Centre and a pocket park.

Another key area of improvement is at Henderson Road, where HDB plans to construct new rest points with landscape seating for rest and interaction.

Among other refurbishments are more greenery, new sheltered areas, better accessibility and the construction of fitness areas. These are planned for the Telok Blangah Hill Park, Alexandra Hill Park, Bukit Permei Park, and Mount Faber Park.

Residents can also look forward to an updated event area, namely The Plaza. Situated in Bukit Merah Town Center, it will be a sheltered space where performances and events can take place. 

Another area that will see refurbishments is the Bukit Merah Town Centre’s Upper Plaza. Currently, changes slated for this space include more seating and play areas, accessibility improvements, and incorporation of Bukit Merah’s history.

Residents with ideas for the Upper Plaza’s enhancement may submit them through HDB’s resident survey.

Additionally, two new Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations will be up by 2026. The Keppel and Cantonment stations are both planned for the Circle Line, which will “close the loop to Marina Bay”.

Alongside these changes, HDB also shared that the Keppel Club golf course will undergo redevelopment, making way for the first housing estate at Greater Southern Waterfront. 

The space will have 20 per cent of its land put aside for ecological developments like parks and green spaces to “safeguard ecological connectivity for fauna to nearby habitats”. 

A new Build to Order (BTO) public housing development at Alexandra Road will also be launched soon.

Detailed ROH plans can be found at the Bukit Merah Town Centre from Sep 17 to Sep 24, 2023. These plans are also available online on the ROH website.

Residents are encouraged to give feedback on the rejuvenation.