Infrastructure that is focused on people rather than cars and roads

Since 2014, Singapore has adopted a three-pronged approach to reduce its reliance on cars. Not because cars are the enemy, but a systematic approach to encouraging a more eco-friendly environment where people can live and work without hassles.

The vision to go car-lite did not start today. In fact, "The  sustainable Singapore Blueprint" which was unveiled in 2015, called for a car-lite society.

The Blueprint outlined a 15-year strategy for the Republic to lessen its reliance on private vehicles and move toward car-sharing, walking, cycling, and other modes of transportation by enlarging the rail transportation network, investing in infrastructure to support safe cycling, and testing an electric car-sharing program.

Let me digress and paint a little picture in your mind — imagine living in a society where you wake up for work, easily walk to the nearest MRT station, make a stop at the destination mile, and leisurely cycle a few minutes to your final destination without any need for a private car.

Going car-lite isn't as extreme as it sounds

You might be surprised to learn that proponents of a car-lite vision do not intend to turn automobiles into enemies. The key idea is to invert the pyramid so that infrastructure is focused on people rather than cars and roads.

Because Singapore’s main goal is to be car-lite, not car-free , lite means less of something , not complete elimination of it. Singapore is not trying to totally eliminate cars on the road, but rather to heavily reduce the need for them because, in fact, WE don't NEED MORE CARS.

Let's take a holistic look at this "car" matter

As you already know, driving is ridiculously expensive, full stop. However, that won’t take away the fact that it is a lot easier (or was, thanks to the policy of going car-lite) to drive from the first mile to the last mile in a private car than it is to go through public transport.

This poses a major issue because most people aim to get a car because they see it as a symbol of success. Talking about the real benefits, a large family needs a car, same is true for people who take care of their elderly parents.

Also, people who have mobility impairments cannot rely heavily on public transportation to move around. Undoubtedly, a car is a need for these groups of people, and taking that privilege away, takes away from people’s well-being.

Why go car-lite then? Let's take a practical look

Covid-19 was a wake up call to the entire world, not only did the ripple effect allow us to rethink how we work and live, but it also showed that a car-lite society is achievable .

Car-lite, in my opinion, doesn’t just apply to less ownership, but to less usage. It relies less on cars and more on high-capacity public transportation, such as trains and buses.

1. IT REDUCES TRAFFIC CONGESTION

Singapore is already congested, the cars on the road are much more than the available road networks, thereby causing undue traffic here and there.

Imagine driving from Boon Lay to Changi still takes more than half an hour, but Singapore is such a small city!

2. IT REDUCES CARBON EMISSIONS SIGNIFICANTLY

We all know the bad effects of carbon emissions and the need to save our environment from denigrating carbon dioxide. Going car-lite is a fire-proof way to save the environment.

3. LACK OF PARKING SPOTS AND SPACE FOR HUMAN ACTIVITIES

As the number of vehicles keep increasing, the reality on the ground is the low number of parking spots available for cars. This has made the situation worse as cars are now parked in spaces that are naturally supposed to  be used for human interaction and activities.

4. WE ALREADY HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE MRT NETWORK

There are going to be more MRT stations within one housing estate, and the government has decided to make mass transportation faster and easier through well-built and functional MRT stations.

5. THERE ARE ALSO FUN MICRO-MOBILITY ALTERNATIVES

These include:

• Bike-sharing initiatives
• Personal mobility devices and eBikes

6. MORE ROAD NETWORKS FOR BICYCLES, PMDS ETC...

More space is being created for bicycles and personal mobility, and that would encourage people to adopt the new system of going car-lite.

We now have a special chance to promote the use of micromobility devices for short-distance transport, including bicycles, electric bicycles, and motorized and non-motorized personal mobility devices (PMDs).

Jurong Lake District — a car-lite haven!

Jurong Lake District is obviously one of the most budding places in Singapore right now, with a lot of investment opportunities and rapid infrastructural development going on there.

No wonder it is called the the car-lite crown gem of Jurong East. Let me show you some of the most amazing features of  this fast developing area of Singapore. The goal is simple, to develop communities where facilities, beautiful natural areas, and public transportation hubs will all be within a 10-minute stroll of each other, with more than 80% of all trips anticipated to be conducted by public transportation.

The car-lite full adoption to be carried out on Jurong Lake District will drive vast and wide development to the area and investors would be tripping in.

Some amazing things about Jurong Lake District

In order to provide cleaner and more effective urban services to all buildings, The District Cooling and District Pneumatic Waste Conveyance Systems would provide service to Jurong Lake District. These systems may be placed in underground Shared Services Tunnels, which would also make our streets safer.

A BEAUTIFUL GREEN DISTRICT BUILT TO BE ECO-FRIENDLY

The Jurong Lake District will include more than 100 hectares of parkland, a 70 hectare lake, and more than 10 kilometers of waterfront that is now being used.

Also, the area will be made up of neighborhoods where amenities, green spaces, and public transport nodes will be within 10-minute reach.

The District Cooling and District Pneumatic Waste Conveyance Systems would provide service to Jurong Lake District. To supply cleaner and more effective urban services to all buildings, these systems may be located below in Common Services Tunnels, which would also improve the aesthetics of our streets by removing the need to dig up the road to install utilities.

JURONG LAKE GARDENS

A central green spine will link every development to the edge of Jurong Lake, drawing in parks and forests to cool the urban spaces. With a lot of nature walks to remember and eye-catching gardens and environment suitable for couple visits and relaxation.

THE NEW SCIENCE CENTRE

Jurong Lake District will have the biggest science center. It is intended to draw a new generation of businesses from the technology, e-commerce, sustainability, and business services sectors. It will serve as the hub for assisting businesses and individuals in generating new growth and new employment in green innovation.

THE FOCAL POINT OF MAJOR HUBS

Jurong Lake District will be a major connecting city for several other cities , it has excellent connectivity via two new train lines, the Cross Island Line and the Jurong Region Line, which are expected to be completed by 2029 and 2032, respectively.

Why are investors trooping to Jurong Lake District

Maybe you don’t know yet — Jurong Lake District will be the focus of new development in the next two decades, with the government prioritising the sale of sites within the district.

According to statistics, Jurong Lake District will have about 100,000 new jobs and 20,000 new homes , adding to the over 1 million people living in the surrounding west region.

The presence of two technological universities around or close to the Jurong Lake District had a huge and significant impact on the budding development of the area.

Gathering all these and putting them together clearly shows that Jurong Lake District is the best investment area currently in Singapore.

The car-lite setting of the district and its connectivity to surrounding districts with the development of 4 new MRT stations proposed by 2040 will facilitate seamless movement.

Final verdict

With its "J-Walk" walkway that smoothly connects essential locations, a future integrated transport hub, and a gigantic wide green expanse that offers residents and visitors a refreshing reprieve from city life, Jurong Lake District shines as a real car-lite utopia.

Planning to invest in Jurong Lake District?

If you're seeking to explore potential properties or find your dream home in a car-lite haven, it's useful to have a trusted agent who knows the ground, guiding you towards reliable properties with a proven growth path.