Kranji Racecourse Redevelopment: What URA’s 2026 Tender Means for Future Housing
URA has announced that detailed planning for the upcoming Kranji Racecourse housing estate will begin through a tender exercise in 2026. This moves the project into its next phase after the racecourse held its final event in October 2024. The new estate is highlighted as a long term anchor in the North, shaped through extensive public engagement and incorporated into the newly gazetted Master Plan 2025.
This article breaks down the key facts, the planning timeline, and what this means for buyers, investors and developers watching the transformation of northern Singapore.
A New Township at Kranji: What Has Been Confirmed
URA has stated that master planning and urban design work will take place over the next decade. Public engagement began in August 2025, involving residents, nature groups, academics and professional bodies. During site discussions, participants shared their interest in keeping the area’s rustic identity while preserving ties to the Kranji Nature Corridor.
Key Public Feedback Themes
-
Good transport connectivity
-
Green and blue spaces
-
Nature based attractions for families
-
Recreation and outdoor facilities
-
Multi generational amenities
More than 250,000 people visited the Draft Master Plan 2025 exhibition, showing strong community interest in how this estate will evolve.
Proposed Features for the Future Kranji Estate
URA has outlined a broad planning direction that mirrors newer integrated developments islandwide. Amenities under consideration include:
-
Retail and dining
-
Recreational spaces
-
Sports and community facilities
-
Schools and childcare
-
Healthcare
-
A bus interchange
Much like Bukit Timah Turf City’s redevelopment, Kranji could integrate conservation elements with modern uses. For example, the Turf City estate will adapt 22 conserved heritage buildings for community or lifestyle programming. If a similar approach is used, Kranji may see a blend of heritage, parks and residential spaces.
Buyers can also expect a strong ecological focus. URA confirmed that a nature park will include Eng Neo Avenue Forest, Bukit Tinggi and nearby forested areas, connected through a 100 metre wide green corridor.
| Planned Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Green Network | Nature park linking Eng Neo Avenue Forest, Bukit Tinggi and forested areas with a 100m green corridor |
| Community Amenities | Schools, childcare, healthcare, sports and community spaces |
| Transport | Future bus interchange and improved connectivity |
| Lifestyle Uses | Retail, food and beverage, recreation |
Jurong Lake District: Parallel Track in Master Plan 2025
The article also confirms that URA will soon update development plans for Jurong Lake District, expected to become the largest mixed use business district outside the city centre. A previous tender for a 6.5 hectare site was not awarded when the bid received was too low. URA has since reviewed macroeconomic conditions and stakeholder feedback and will provide a refreshed direction.
For context, Jurong Lake District is a multi decade growth engine complementing the transformation happening in Kranji. Both areas indicate a long horizon of new supply, infrastructure and job nodes.
Marina Bay: Interim Sports and Lifestyle Uses
The article notes that vacant plots in Marina Bay will be activated for interim purposes. URA and partner agencies have been studying ways the sites can host recreational, sports or family friendly activities while long term plans are refined.
These interim uses allow Marina Bay to remain active without committing to premature development.
Rail Corridor and Community Nodes: Upgrades Across Singapore
Beyond Kranji, the Rail Corridor will gain a new community node in Queensway. Construction begins in 2026, following a 2024 design competition. Ideas from residents, such as better lighting and more play facilities, have been incorporated into the final plan.
URA also plans a design competition for a new pedestrian mall between i12 Katong and Katong V, set to feature landscaping and open community zones. Additional viaduct and rooftop spaces across the island may also be converted for community or sports uses as part of a broader optimisation effort.
Master Plan 2025: Public Feedback and Adjustments
The finalised Master Plan incorporated several modifications between September and November 2025 after formal hearings and technical assessments. Adjustments included realigning roads and drainage, refining boundaries for better cycling and walking access, and expanding green spaces where the terrain allowed.
One example cited was a housing parcel in Commonwealth, where URA extended adjacent park space into the new development area. Across many proposals, residents called for:
-
Convenient public transport
-
Support for well being through recreation
-
Multi generational amenities
-
Better connectivity in estates with waterfronts or nature networks
These themes directly influence the Kranji racecourse planning exercise.
What This Means for the Property Market
From a market perspective, Kranji is one of the largest long term residential transformations in the North. The 2026 design tender signals the beginning of serious planning work. While actual launches are further out, early visibility helps shape expectations for:
-
Future supply in northern Singapore
-
Demand spillover into nearby private and HDB estates
-
Possible appreciation trends as amenities take shape
-
Developer interest when parcels are released in phases
For buyers keeping an eye on Singapore’s next major township, Kranji will be a key Master Plan storyline over the next decade.
