HDB Shops: Revitalising Neighbourhood Malls & Trade Mixes in Singapore

Efforts to revitalize Tanjong Pagar Plaza in Singapore are underway, with stakeholders focusing on attracting businesses that better serve the local community and shifting perceptions of the aging HDB mall, according to recent discussions.

Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) Associate Professor of Practice Calvin Chua suggests that greater control over tenant selection by the Housing & Development Board (HDB) could facilitate rebalance the commercial mix. “HDB would probably be able to better control the trade mix and curate the tenants, because if it’s left to the free market then it’s very hard to control,” he said, particularly in a central location like Tanjong Pagar where rental costs are high. He contrasted this with newer HDB malls, which he noted are managed to provide services more tailored to community needs.

Chua, who is too the founder of design firm Spatial Anatomy, argued that allowing a purely free market approach “misses the chance to really build or design an environment that really would benefit the community and liveability of that place.” He advocates for a longer-term strategy focused on changing perceptions through “placemaking” initiatives, such as community events. “If HDB is unable to take over the units, they can have events or placemaking activities… having some karaoke events for elderly folks by tapping on the courtyard space,” he suggested, potentially influencing tenant choices.

These efforts align with ongoing work by the Tanjong Pagar Plaza Traders’ Association and Residents’ Network to increase foot traffic through events, according to Mr. Foo, who is involved in the revitalization. A recent survey of over 100 households revealed residents desire more family restaurants, food and beverage outlets, and enrichment centers. The Traders’ Association is sharing these findings with potential tenants.

Although modern businesses, including a music school and physiotherapy clinic, have recently opened, Mr. Foo cautioned that it is still early in the process. He emphasized the need for continued enforcement against illegal uses of commercial space, which he believes will lead to more realistic rental demands and attract a wider variety of businesses. “On one hand, you need to make sure that there is ample enforcement so that these illegal uses are sort of weeded out, and with them getting weeded out, the overall demand for the shops will become more reflective of the actual demand,” he stated.

The ultimate goal, Mr. Foo explained, is to create a “virtuous cycle” where residents patronize local businesses, creating demand and making the plaza a viable location for services that meet their needs. SUTD’s Chua echoed this sentiment, stating that removing undesirable shops is only the first step, and a sustained effort to highlight the potential of the neighborhood is crucial for long-term transformation.