The Importance of Punggol Digital District (PDD) for Singapore property
In conjunction with Singapore’s push towards a Smart Nation, the Punggol Digital District (PDD) is earmarked to be a vibrant and inclusive place where technology and social innovation redefine the way people live, work, learn and play. The initiative to create a seamlessly connected green space reflects Singapore’s ambitions to be a green city. The PDD is an inclusive project where all members – students, residents, workers or entrepreneur – can be proud to be a part of.
The JTC Corporation is acting as the Master Developer for Punggol Digital District. Being an Enterprise District, it provides JTC the flexibility to develop based on overall land use instead. This is a departure from the Gross Plot Ratio approach which are guidelines set for individual land parcels. The increased freedom allows JTC to better integrate the requirements of the stakeholders, be flexible in responding to the industry shifts. It also allows JTC to holistically plan district-wide design features such as pedestrian connectivity and public spaces.
How does Punggol Digital District (PDD) add value to Singapore Property?
The Punggol Digital District location is along the North Coast Innovation Corridor, housing technology firms involved in key areas such as cyber-security. The ecosystem within PDD helps to nurture and promote industry-academia collaboration at the new Singapore Institute of Technology Campus.
Punggol Digital Hub is the first district to adopt a one integrated masterplan approach that brings together a Community Playground, Car-Lite Precinct, Economic Hub, Learning Hub and Green Living. The Punggol Digital District is planned to integrate with the larger Punggol community to further create an attractive work, learn and play environment.
Community Playground promotes interaction amongst residents in PDD
There will be public spaces for a vibrant community to gather, interact and conduct activities to promote cohesion between the stakeholders. New amenities will be built to bring greater convenience to its residents and visitors. A new hawker centre, community club and childcare facilities will be located within the district.
Along the waterfront, an active and lively Market Village will be planned with retail, dining and leisure options for residents and visitors to discover and enjoy. The Market Village will be located at the eastern end of the Campus Boulevard to offer coastal retail and dining experience. The old Punggol Road will be transformed into a heritage trail where public can perform outdoor activities.
Car-Lite Precinct within Punggol Digital District
To achieve its ambition to be a car-lite precinct, the existing North-East Line will be extended to include the future Punggol Coast MRT Station (NE18). The new station is expected to complete in 2023 and will reduce travelling by up to 15 minutes.
The Punggol Digital District will benefit from the Cross Island MRT which is expected to complete in 2030. The new Cross Island MRT is planned to intersect with all other MRT networks to reduce travelling time into City Centre and across the island.
There are smart and innovative travelling options such as autonomous bus and AV transport services which are on-demand services linked to the mobile phone.
You can get more perspective about Car-Lite Precinct from our coverage on the new Plantation Grove HDB at Tengah BTO which was released by HDB during November 2018.
The residents can look forward to better connectivity with the new bus interchange in PDD. There are planned road improvements and extension of Punggol Central Road to major expressway which will provide more travel alternatives in and out of Punggol.
Furthermore the PDD is designed with cycling paths which are convenient for people who wish to use bicycle or personal motorised devices (PMD). There will be storage racks, showers and changing facilities to promote such transport.
Economic and Learning Hub Improves Value of Singapore Property
The new Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) will provide learning opportunities to an estimated 12,000 students in its new campus. SIT will be providing a specialised applied degree programmes with unique curriculum that integrates learning and work. This unique curriculum will prepare its members for a smooth and seamless transition into their working life.
In addition, the co-location of Singapore Institute of Technology’s new campus with JTC’s business park buildings will facilitate collaboration between industry firms and academia institution, through the cross-fertilisation of ideas and knowledge among students and industry professionals. New ideas conceived in SIT could be prototyped, tested and adopted by businesses in the district, resulting in a higher chances of commercialisation success.
Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) is Singapore’s university of applied learning. SIT’s vision is to be a leader in innovative learning by integrating learning, industry and community. Its mission is to nurture and develop individuals who build on their interests and talents to impact society in meaningful ways.
Punggol Digital District play a key role to spur the growth sectors of the digital economy such as cyber security and digital technology. It is expected to create 28,000 job opportunities to residents in Punggol and the North-East region. Through the clustering of these growth sectors, Punggol will create an ecosystem of open innovation and a conducive test-bed environment, enabling businesses and the community to thrive in a digital economy.
As Singapore’s first Enterprise District, Punggol Digital District provides the flexibility for the land use mix, enabling deeper integration and synergy of different uses to facilitate greater space integration. For instance, SIT’s research labs and learning facilities could be located inside JTC’s business park buildings. Similarly, JTC could also host industry R&D facilities and create startup spaces within SIT’s buildings.
Green Living in Punggol Digital District
The roofs of the buildings will be packed with solar power panels generation technologies to provide clean energy to the power grid. JTC also plans to use the integrated facility management system to enhance users’ experiences and optimise energy usage.
The introduction of a Centralised District Cooling System will reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint. This will ease the facility management and increase productivity for the operators.
The PDD will also adopt a Pneumatic Waste Conveyance System which will no longer require waste collection trucks. The automated waste collection system is an underground system that uses vacuum technology which seals odour and minimise the proliferation of pest.
Punggol Digital District benefits your Investment in Singapore Property
The massive amount of Government spending in Punggol Digital District is a testament to their determination to decentralise economic activity in the central business district. The increasing number of residents and visitors will provide support to the local business and create demand for housing within Punggol Digital District and Punggol Town.
As a property owner, it will be an exciting prospect for aspiring landlords when the entire development is ready in 2023. The increase in demand for HDB rental will provide landlords with greater holding power and ride the Singapore property market.