Singapore’s Ministry of National Development announced on Friday that it will modify its plan to clear two‑thirds of the 23‑hectare Maju Forest for high‑density public housing. The change comes after a rare wave of public opposition, including over 49,000 petition signatures and a rally of about 2,000 residents demanding the preservation of the mature secondary forest.
Public response drives the shift
Petitioners urged the government to prioritize brownfield sites—such as former golf courses, commercial and institutional lands—and to increase density in existing public‑housing estates rather than sacrifice mature forest. A letter signed by more than 700 residents was sent to their member of parliament, and organizers reported a rally on Sunday that highlighted concerns for biodiversity and climate resilience.
Government’s revised stance
Junior Minister Alvin Tan told Reuters that officials will determine exactly how much additional greenery can be retained, acknowledging that preserving more forest will reduce the number of new homes that can be built. The ministry has not released specific figures.
Why the forest matters
Maju Forest, once a rubber plantation and railway corridor, has regenerated into a scenic hiking area with abandoned tracks and a tunnel. An environmental study commissioned by the government identified 113 animal species, including the critically endangered straw‑headed bulbul—of which only 600 to 1,700 exist worldwide, with roughly one‑third residing in Singapore—and the Sunda pangolin.
Researchers note that mature forests provide heat‑stress mitigation and act as public‑health infrastructure, benefits that newly planted parks cannot match for decades.
Housing pressure and limited land
Singapore, roughly the size of New York City, faces a housing crunch as property prices climb and its population reached a record 6.11 million in June 2025. Projections estimate 6.5‑6.9 million residents by 2030. With 14 % of land already devoted to housing and only 9.3 % to parks and nature reserves, the city‑state has limited options for expansion.
The housing board emphasized that “the overall demand for public housing remains strong” and that brownfield development alone cannot meet all needs.
Looking ahead
Singapore has long promoted itself as a garden city, a vision dating back to founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. The current debate underscores the tension between preserving mature ecosystems and delivering affordable homes for a growing population.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
