In today's article on The Straits Times, the government has released 15 new sites to be sold for development. This includes plots of land for office spaces, hotels as well as apartments. This clearly illustrates that the number of people jumping into the property pool is increasingly aggressive.

This is probably one of their efforts to try and achieve the goal of having an eight million population by 2015.

On the flip side, far-far away (if you've watched Shrek) from now, this may not turn out too rosy after all.

My reasons: (and they're all results of a snowball effect)

First, the government is trying to create a 'pull' factor to get people to come to Singapore and reach that eight million population by 2015. Hence the development of luxury for locals or foreign talents, housing, in this case, the demand and growth of the property industry.

With new sites for sale means, lesser greenery to complement the Singapore landscape. When these land area is developed, Singapore may not have much green landscape.

Second, when these green landscapes are out of the picture, it may not necessarily look cosy to live in. There will be buildings everywhere, on top of the fact that we're in a mere 660 km sq (used to be at 642 km sq, now thanks to reclaimed land!)area country where every single space counts. It may not create a comfortable living for both foreign and local talents and may also backfire the government's plans of getting more people here.

Third, we have two issues. With eight million people here, it'll be a competition to get a job, even for the locals; where does that put us? Second issue, with lack of greenery, people may not find it attractive to work here. That may leave us with empty housing and redundant buildings with little or no greenery to complement our 'uniqueness' and lifestyle; where does that put us?

While the property market does not seem to break its bullishness any time soon, other considerables like greeneries have to be put to play. Singapore is known for its uniqueness with greenery. After all the extra land gone, the parks may be gone too.

On top of that, the government's effort for 'Clean and Green' campaign, shading our roads, and improving our parks' structures for a more cozy feel for example, may go to waste.

With more of it gone, where does that put us?


Nurwidya Abdul

Labels: 15, 2015, 642 km sq, 660 km sq, bullishness, Clean and Green, eight million population, government, land parcels, lush greenery, property, reclamation, Shrek, The Straits Times