JTC Corp Chairman, Lim Neo Chian

Courtesy JTC Corp.

“one-north” is a multi-government agency effort to create a city-within-a-city where scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs from many fields can live and work, and where people from many disciplines can interact and exchange ideas to create new products.

The massive 492-acre project is being developed over the next 15 – 20 years by JTC Corporation, Singapore’s leading master-planner, developer and manager of high quality industrial facilities and business parks. By integrating residential units, commercial hubs, tertiary and research institutes, sports facilities and green areas it is hoped that something new will be created; the whole will become greater than the sum of its parts.

JTC Chairman, Lim Neo Chian, says: "one-north is a good example of JTC’s new way of doing things. This revolutionary science hub represents a significant shift for JTC, the master developer. It will be more than just a physical development. We want it to be an inspirational environment where the best and the most creative minds will be nurtured, and groundbreaking ideas will be spawned."

"One-north is Singapore’s icon for the new economy. It will enable us to stay ahead of the global competition and propel us even further. And it means that in the future, JTC will play a major role in shaping Singapore’s knowledge-based economy," says Lim.

“one-north” will be a mini-city dedicated to innovation.

Courtesy JTC Corp.

Long-term planning will ensure green belts and parks.

Courtesy JTC Corp.

Futuristic planning is part of the revolutionary science hub called “one-north.”

Courtesy JTC Corp.

The design of one-north is centered on three functional hubs or "exchanges:"

Life Xchange:
This area of about 30 acres is set aside for organizations in the biomedical sciences. It will feature a tranquil and serene atmosphere against a backdrop of large mature green canopy trees and water features. Groundbreaking for the 185,000 sq meter Biopolis, the 1st major development in one-north, took place in December 2001. The first three of the seven buildings will be ready by June 2003 and progressively completed thereafter.

Vista Xchange:
A smaller site has been set aside not for a specific industry sector but as a center for businesses to grow and for public-private partnerships to form. Located adjacent to the Buona Vista metro station, it is a prime location for financial and other business services, as well as corporate headquarters. A business hotel and service apartments are also on the drawing board.

Central Xchange:
Working with Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB), a third center will be dedicated for the Infocomms and Media Industry. The vision is for Central Xchange to become the premier location for collaborative research, competence centers, test-bedding and commercialization activities by leading foreign and local technology players of these industries. Targeted at the technical and creative communities, its environment will exude a unique cutting-edge, vibrant and stimulating character. It will also have a network of plazas hosting a range of vibrant and exciting leisure activities such as IT bazaars, trendy al-fresco eateries, specialty stores and entertainment outlets. The Central Xchange will be a self-contained work-live-play-learn InfoComms and Media hub. The development of the first InfoComms & Media icon building, Technopolis, is scheduled to begin by the end of 2002 and will be completed by the first quarter of 2005.

The project will also include a park, designed for Singapore's equatorial-tropical climate, that acts as a repository for the many large canopy trees found on the site, and areas that have been designated as “heritage” elements.

The centerpiece of the first phase of the one-north project is called the “Biopolis.” Construction started in December 2001, and Biopolis is designed to bring together a variety of new research institutions into a working environment that is conducive to creative thinking in biomedicine.

Adds Lim, “Biopolis is being created specially for the biomedical community, whose primary mission is to improve the quality of life. In line with this, we felt that the physical development of Biopolis should also contribute to this goal. By proactively adopting an environmentally friendly approach, we hope to play our part by preserving the environment and improving the quality of life.”

The first three buildings are expected to be ready by June 2003.

Founded in 1968, JTC Corporation has played a key role in supporting the growth of industries and manufacturing in Singapore. Currently, JTC manages 38 industrial and specialized parks, housing more than 7,000 local and foreign companies.

For further information, see www.jtc.gov.sg and www.one-north.com.