The first of six new-generation neighbourhood centres, Oasis Terraces, has opened its doors in Punggol.
With its design based on residents’ feedback, the HDB-owned seven-storey mall is integrated with transportation nodes and also boasts a 24-hour fitness centre and a supermarket which opens until 11pm.
According to Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong, the HDB is not out to maximise commercial returns.
“We can include more public spaces in the neighbourhood centres for residents to gather and mingle, to achieve our social objectives of strengthening family bonds and facilitating community integration,” he said in a speech to residents at the mall’s community plaza.
Oasis Terraces has community gardens, an outdoor playground and a fitness corner on the rooftop.
There are 106 shops allocated to tenants through a tender process. Decisions are based not only on highest offer but also on qualitative factors such as the proposed business concept and operating model.
“This allows us to better manage the tenant mix to address the needs of residents,” Wong added.
Five more similar developments will come up in the next few years. This year, Buangkok Square in Hougang will start operating while Canberra Plaza in Sembawang will be completed. Next year will see the completion of Hougang Rivercourt in Hougang and Northshore Plaza in Punggol, and by 2022, Anchorvale Village in Sengkang will be complete.
Discussions on development of Oasis Terraces took place from June to August 2014 among 30 residents of Punggol. They wanted to see shops and facilities which open late, more family-friendly dining options as well as sports and recreation facilities.
The mall is co-located with a polyclinic and childcare centre, as well as sustainable features such as motion-sensor lighting and solar panels. There is also an entrepreneur cluster for 10 online businesses to run physical stores at lower rents than in other commercial buildings.
