S’pore govt to build 5 new hawker centres & invest up to S$1 billion to upgrade hawker centres

The government will invest up to S$1 billion over the next 20 to 30 years to upgrade existing hawker centres and build another five new hawker centres.

In her speech at the Committee of Supply (COS) debate on Mar. 4, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said the government will work on upgrading and building hawker centres progressively over the next 20 to 30 years to "serve the changing needs of Singaporeans for generations to come."

She said existing hawker centres will be transformed under a new Hawker Centres Upgrading Programme 2.0 (HUP 2.0).

HUP 2.0 draws lessons learnt from the Hawker Centre Transformation Programme (HTP), which was piloted at Cheng San Market & Food Centre and Geylang Serai Market & Food Centre in 2021.

The HTP aimed to address infrastructural issues beyond the typical Repairs and Redecoration (R&R) works, and increase hygiene levels, such as through better seating configuration, fans to enhance ventilation, and toilet refurbishments for greater ease of cleaning and maintenance.

R&R works are regularly carried out by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Town Councils at each hawker centre every six to eight years to upkeep and maintain the existing infrastructure, according to a media release by the Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) and NEA.

"Future-proof[ing]" hawker centres

HUP 2.0 will help "future proof" Singapore's hawker centres to cope with a warmer climate and an ageing population.

Older hawker centres in mature estates, in particular, need to be revitalised to "meet the evolving needs of local communities in tandem with rapid urban redevelopment", the media release wrote.

The upgrade will bring improvements to hawker centre infrastructure, making them more vibrant, accessible, and climate-resilient.

Hawkers can also look forward to a more conducive work environment.

While most hawker centres can be upgraded or refurbished, some older ones in mature estates may need to be rebuilt.

MSE and NEA stated that they are working closely with the relevant agencies to dovetail the redevelopment works of such hawker centres with estate development plans.

Vibrant community spaces

To transform them into more vibrant community spaces, NEA will optimise the use of space within hawker centres, such as through better stall configuration and centre layout.

This will allow hawker centres to be a more “pleasant space” for multi-generational families and the community, MSE and NEA stated.

NEA will work closely with the Housing & Development Board (HDB) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to better plan and utilise common spaces "so that they can serve the needs of the community more effectively".

These common spaces could include those for community activities and events.

Elderly- and mobile-friendly features

Another area the government is looking at improving is the inclusivity and accessibility of the hawker centres.

NEA will explore more elderly- and mobile-friendly features in hawker centres, such as escalators, lifts, wider aisles, and greater digitalisation and adoption of technology.

With such features, NEA aims to make hawker centres more accessible to those who require mobility devices or young families with children in prams.

Climate-resilient infrastructure

To adapt to rising temperatures and improve thermal comfort for patrons and stallholders, NEA will also explore solutions to improve air circulation and reduce ambient temperatures in hawker centres.

Examples include using high-volume-low-speed (HVLS) fans and greenery.

These will contribute to a "more comfortable dining and working experience at hawker centres".

Five new hawker centres

The government is also planning to build five additional hawker centres, although there is no information yet on where these will be located.

Senior Minister of State of Sustainability and the Environment of Singapore Koh Poh Koon said during the Committee of Supply debate on Mar. 4 that this will ensure more residents in "under-served estates can access affordable and delicious hawker food."

These hawker centres will "serve residents in existing/new estates better," MSE and NEA said.

Separately, in 2025, two hawker centres will open at Bukit Batok West and Punggol Coast.

Bukit Batok West Hawker Centre, located at Blk 469 Bukit Batok West Ave 9, will have 22 cooked food stalls and over 400 seats.

Meanwhile, the Punggol Coast Hawker Centre located at 84 Punggol Way will have 40 cooked food stalls and over 680 seats.

Since 2011, the government has built and opened 14 new hawker centres in newer housing estates such as One Punggol Hawker Centre, Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre, Jurong West Hawker Centre and Woodleigh Village Hawker Centre.

Top photo from MDDI/YouTube and MSE