JTC and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) have launched the ‘Reimagining Former Jurong Bird Park & Jurong Hill’ ideas competition, inviting the public to submit creative ideas for the redevelopment of the 39.2ha site comprising the former Jurong Bird Park, Jurong Hill Park and The Village¹. The competition seeks to generate innovative ideas that reimagine and transform the site into a vibrant space for both work and play, while celebrating its rich industrial and recreational heritage as well as enhancing integration with the larger Jurong Industrial Estate and surrounding areas.

Envisioning former Jurong Bird Park and Jurong Hill for work and play 

The relocation of the former Jurong Bird Park to Bird Paradise in Mandai in 2023 presented a unique opportunity to reimagine and consider the redevelopment of the site sensitively into an exciting space for work and play, where industrial uses can be integrated with amenities, recreational and public spaces, as well as other creative new uses.

There is also potential to introduce new activity-generating uses at the site's frontage along Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim and Sungei Lanchar to enliven the area. Located adjacent to industries such as food manufacturing, logistics, and precision engineering, the transformation of the 39.2ha site will inject new vibrancy into the Jurong industrial ecosystem, along with new amenities and recreation spaces to benefit the wider community.

Turning your ideas into future plans

As part of the public engagement for the Draft Master Plan 2025 (DMP2025), this ideas competition seeks to invite both the public and professionals to contribute ideas for this unique site – from practical and innovative applications for the site’s near-term uses to bold, blue-sky and futuristic concepts that envision the site’s long-term development. Given the location of the site within the industrial estate, we are seeking proposals where the land can be used to support economic growth but at the same time consider how to sensitively retain the iconic landmarks within the site, such as Jurong Hill Tower, the Garden of Fame and key features within the former Jurong Bird Park; and propose ideas to improve the overall connectivity and accessibility of the site within the heart of Jurong Industrial Estate to surrounding green and blue landmarks such as Jurong Lake Gardens. 

For more information on key parameters of the ideas competition as well as details of the DMP2025 public engagement, see Annex A and B respectively.

Ms Tang Hsiao Ling, Director of Urban Planning & Architecture Division, JTC, said, "The ‘Reimagining Former Jurong Bird Park & Jurong Hill’ ideas competition offers an exciting opportunity for the public to present fresh and bold ideas for revitalising this cherished site in the heart of the Jurong Industrial Estate. With JTC’s industrial master plan constantly evolving to meet national needs, the competition allows us to rethink how we integrate and interact with industrial spaces in Singapore. We welcome this partnership with the public to help shape future plans that optimise the site for work and play and that retain its rich heritage and industrial past. We look forward to receiving proposals that envision a site that not only drives economic growth but also serves as a vibrant recreational hub that enriches the wider community.”

Mr Lim Teck Leong, Director of Physical Planning (West), URA, said, “Through this ideas competition, we hope to capture the aspirations of the public to guide the future development of the site and contribute to making Singapore a more liveable, inclusive and endearing home for all under the Draft Master Plan 2025. We look forward to seeing creative and impactful proposals to reimagine the site, including new uses that can be introduced sensitively to complement the site’s heritage, greenery, topography and sense of openness.”

Mr Djoko Prihanto, President of the Singapore Institute of Planners, said, “‘Reimagining Former Jurong Bird Park & Jurong Hill’ is both important and exciting, as it challenges urban planners in Singapore to understand the rapidly transforming industries, and to imagine how the industrial environment may take a totally different shape in the future. The integration of public input is part of progressive planning, allowing them to be a part of shaping the future, especially for iconic sites like the former Jurong Bird Park. This approach encourages a more inclusive and imaginative vision for the future of industrial spaces.”

Participants can register under one of two categories – Open or Professional, with prizes to be awarded to the top three ideas in each category, and submit their proposals through this link.

Suitable ideas and concepts from the competition will be distilled into planning and design principles to guide the site’s future redevelopment and uses. The competition opens on 19 October 2024 and closes on 18 January 2025. For more information on the competition parameters and prizes, see Annex C.

Youths envisioning the future of the former Jurong Bird Park site

In addition, at the 14th edition of the Challenge for the Urban and Built Environment (CUBE) held in November 2023, 140 students from 18 junior colleges, polytechnics and Institutes of Technical Education (ITE) dreamt up new ideas in reimagining the former Jurong Bird Park site as a vibrant future industrial estate with delightful spaces and recreational options. The students’ proposals are exhibited at the URA Centre from 12 October to 28 November 2024 and can be viewed online at https://www.go.gov.sg/cube2023-formerbirdpark.

For more information on CUBE, as well as the Outstanding and Merit Award student submissions for the 14th edition, see Annex D.

¹Currently, The Village comprises a commercial development that houses retail and F&B outlets and an open-air carpark. It spans 2.6ha and is located opposite the former Jurong Bird Park, at the foot of Jurong Hill.