TNAG-2228-FCO40-3200-Political-relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Singapore-1991 — Page 22

NOTE FOR THE FILE

CC: Mr Paxman

URA file

Reference

CALL BY LORD CAITHNESS ON URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (URA), 3 MAY 1991

1.

Lord Caithness called on the URA at 4.00 pm on 3 May accompanied by the High Commissioner, his Private Secretary and myself. He was received by the Chairman of the URA, Associate Professor Khoo Cheng Lim; the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Khoo Teng Chye; and the Manager (Physical Planning Division) John Keung.

2.

After viewing a video "Towards a Tropical City of Excellence" on Singapore's "Concept Plan", Lord Caithness asked what role the private sector played in planning. Professor Khoo admitted that up to now planning had essentially been a matter of government initiative and direction, adding that the URA was under some pressure "to open up". There was now a good measure of private sector involvement. And the URA was actively seeking to involve private sector consultants in their future planning. Such consultants had been involved in three or four projects over the past year (out of over 50!). As an example of such involvement, Professor Khoo said that the Minister of National Development had decided that the Singapore Institute of Architects and the URA should separately produce alternative plans for Kampong Bugis' redevelopment. Turning to conservation, Professor Khoo said the URA had previously taken all the responsibility for re-construction projects but was in the process of bringing in the private sector. But the URA would continue to ensure that private consultants ensured adequate standards and "good design".

3. Lord Caithness asked what population projections the URA worked on. Mr Keung said that the URA had been surprised recently to have been told by the census authorities that the population of Singapore was 2.9 million rather than 2.7 million as had previously been understood. The reason for the discrepancy was apparently that 11% of the population now consisted of foreign workers, eg maids, hotel workers, etc. The URA was now reckoning on Singapore having a population of four million by 2020 of which 3.3 million would be "resident population". But the URA did not expect population density ever to hit Hong Kong levels. Lord Caithness asked whether Batam had

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