Map of ‘study area’ for Seletar Aerospace Park

*EDITED*
The red lines outline the boundary of the airport area which is 93.3 ha. In addition to that, the authorities want to take another 140ha (where all the little houses are) and turn it into industrial land with hangars and such.

The official line…

HERE’S the official press release about the upcoming aerospace hub if you’re interested. A brief summary:

–Reason:Great enthusiasm about aerospace and its benefit to the economy:

Singapore’s aerospace industry…has grown by a compounded annual rate of more than 12%… Last year, the industry registered a record output of $5.2 billion, a 17% increase over 2004. Seletar Aerospace Park is expected to contribute S$3.3 billion annually in value-added (1% of GDP) and create 10,000 new jobs…

–Contents of park:

140 ha…a new integrated aerospace industry cluster incorporating aerospace MRO; design and manufacturing of aircraft systems and components; business & general aviation activities; and an aviation campus for the training of pilots, aviation professionals and technical personnel.

–Conservation? Hints at the possibility of conservation of some (unnamed number) of bungalows, but no promises:

The master-planning of the Seletar Aerospace Park will take into consideration the merits of retaining some of the existing buildings and the potential for adaptive reuse as part of the aerospace park.

–Timeframe: Masterplan to be finalised end 2006, execution to start chop chop in 2007 and be spread over 8 years.

Stay tuned for a map of the “study area” that was appended to the press release.

Link

On a clear day…

Tune in to 100.3FM, Monday 24 July, 8.30am

UFM deejays Huang Wenhong (文鸿 ) and Xiao Zhu (小猪) came down to record a radio show about Seletar airbase this evening. We arranged for them to meet some residents and a canteen uncle who’s lived there since the days of the British. Tune in at the abovementioned time to catch it!

Seletar and aviation

Seletar airport– Singapore’s cutest airport. The building is really small, like each of its arms is perhaps 6m wide and 1 storey high. Here’s where you would land your private jet if you’re the sultan of Brunei. The landing strip is too short for a 747 (heavy planes brake over a longer distance).

A view from one resident’s backyard- some houses are right up against the landing strip.

If you’re wondering how people tolerate the noise of planes, well it’s because these small planes are more like insects– they buzz, not roar.

The airbase is also home to a couple of flying schools and clubs, including the Youth Flying Club, Singapore Flying Club and Singapore Flying college.

Conceptualisation of BBI

The whole conceptualisation and planning process in the construction of the new Berlin Brandenburg International Airport (BBI) took several years to materialise. The long drawn process involved active collaboration between the various organisations and the affected residents. Environment, resettlement and economic issues were seriously considered before putting the airport plan into action. For more information about the project, visit: http://www.berlin-airport.de/bbi/rubEnglish/index.html

pics of seletar airbase

Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t just a military facility, but a lovely residential neighbourhood.





Despite the forbidding gateway, anyone can enter. The rule was abolished after residents complained that it made things difficult for their guests.

The airbase is dotted with charming little black-and-white houses set in generous gardens. These were originally the quarters of married members of the Royal Air Force. Unlike the mammoth expat-occupied bungalows near Tanglin, these are much more modest in scale– and also in rental.

This is the largest house on the base. It’s a British version of a longhouse on stilts! Note the “void deck” underneath. This rents for about $7k a month.





Yup, those are genuine working chimneys– some homesick British architect designed them into these buildings. Those little black squares at their base are holes for coal!