Mah: No delay to HDB, govt building projects

Source : Straits Times - 7 Nov 2008

PUBLIC housing and government building projects will not be delayed on account of the economic downturn, said Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan yesterday evening.

‘Demand is still very, very strong. As long as there is a demand, we will continue to build,’ he said, on public housing.

Speaking after chairing a public forum on sustainable development in Singapore, Mr Mah said more than 8,000 new HDB units are scheduled to be built this year.

On other building projects, he said: ‘Other government projects…infrastructure projects, MRT projects, road-building, schools, all those things we felt are urgent and necessary - for example, retrofitting Nanyang Technological University for the Youth Olympic Games - all are on track. It’s something we need to do.’

The forum, which focused on physical-environment issues such as energy efficiency and biodiversity, was held at the Urban Redevelopment Authority centre in Maxwell Road. About 200 people attended, including architects, engineers, students, teachers, nature enthusiasts and the managing director of a company that builds solar-energy systems.

Questions at the lively discussion ranged from the technical, such as those on solar power and energy-efficiency incentives, to the practical, including adding more greenery to HDB blocks and building bicycle paths.

It was the second of two public discussions on sustainable development. Last week’s session was chaired by Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim, who co-chairs a committee with Mr Mah to think up ways to promote economic growth and preserve natural resources.

Both forums drew topics from a website launched in July, for the public to offer suggestions.

More than 1,000 have been received and will be considered as officials draw up a sustainable-development blueprint for the next 10 to 15 years, expected to be ready next year.