Under the Novena Master Plan, the Health City Novena will take advantage of the large cluster of medical centres and facilities, as well as hospitals in the area to build a world-class integrated medical hub.
The Novena/Newton/Orchard Road areas in Singapore’s Core Central Region (CCR) are home to the following:
- Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre and Hospital
- Paragon Medical Centre
- Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital
- Novena Medical Centre
- Tan Tock Seng Hospital
- Ren Ci Community Hospital
- Thomson Medical Centre
As Singapore is well-known for its high standard of medical care and expertise, it is popular destination for many rich medical tourists from around the region. Capitalising on its strength, the Singapore government is setting up a world-class integrated medical hub called Health City Novena, which is an integral part of its Novena Master Plan.
Under the master plan, healthcare space will be increased by 150%. Some 600,000 sqm of space will be used for learning, teaching and healing when it is scheduled to be completed by 2030. The 17ha integrated development will incorporate 10 buildings, including Tan Tock Seng Hospital and 5 new healthcare facilities which will consist of a new Ambulatory Centre at TTSH in addition to specialist, and intermediate care.
Integrated with the existing medical centres, healthcare professionals can easily benefit from seamless coordination with clinical expertise, technologies and facilities nearby. The congregation of medical specialists will create an internationally renowned medical brand in the Novena area.
The upcoming integrated medical hub will extend beyond healthcare. It will encompass a complete and holistic eco-system that includes health services, research and education, commercial, leisure and public spaces. There are four key elements to the Novena Master Plan - Care, Continuous Learning & Innovation, Community and Connectivity.
All the facilities will be connected via a network of MRT, pedestrian walkways and shuttle bus services.
Health City Novena will be a model for future healthcare in Singapore and will anchor the Regional Health System to enhance the health of all in Central Singapore and ultimately empower people via a new mode of active and healthy living for everyone.
The plan was first conceptualized in 2010 and has been developed in consultation with stakeholders and the community.
Novena Master Plan – Integration with Community
Integration with Community
Under the Novena Master Plan, Health City Novena will not be an insipid place simply for medical treatment and care. It will seek to create a vibrant environment to draw in the public with its distinctive architecture while urban design elements will create a sense of arrival and imbue the area with its own unique identity.
To achieve this, there will be lush open spaces, parks, plazas and pedestrian-friendly boulevards to promote leisure activities, not only for workers but also for families living in the surrounding areas. The boulevards will be sheltered and connected to the MRT station and shops built on either side of it to make the stroll a livelier affair.
In addition, there will be a Central Park which will preserve the proud heritage of Novena. When completed, it will be the project’s largest green space. One of its distinctive features will be its elevated walkway that allows pedestrians to walk close to the canopy of trees, an open-air theatre, playgrounds, gardens and F&B terraces.
Integration for Continuous Learning & Innovation
Continuous Learning and Innovation
The Novena Master Plan will also seek to ensure a closer alignment between the health needs of the population with the skillsets of healthcare professionals. This will be achieved by bringing together Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and institutions within the National Healthcare Group with other stakeholder organisations to work closely with a new medical school and other education and training bodies to develop holistic training curriculum and programmes.
The third medical school will be known as LKCMedicine. It will feature an innovative and modern curriculum where students will learn from world-class experts. These experts will work in teams in a high-tech environment which will provide them the experience to deliver healthcare services from beginning to end.
There are also plans for two more buildings for learning and innovation – Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s medical education and training building, as well as a future health sciences school. The aim is to create synergies among different groups of healthcare professionals and allow them to constantly upgrade their skills while integrating clinical training so that multi-disciplinary care teams can be more adept and effective.
In addition, it also seeks to empower the community by providing caregiver training within these new buildings.
When the Novena Master Plan is realised by 2030, it will not only improve Singapore’s healthcare standards, but also underpinned it as a world-class medical hub for research, treatment and medical care. The congregation of medical specialists will hence create an internationally renowned medical brand in and around the area.
This will draw medical tourists and business travellers from across the region. And with a growing population of well-heeled city residents in proximity, surrounded by supporting offices, medical facilities, schools and hotels, the Newton/Novena area will grow in stature as a coveted address.
In addition, the development of Health City Novena will spur employment opportunities. This is expected to increase the demand for housing, boosting the investment prospects of the area. which will lift property values. This will benefit new properties such as Kopar At Newton, The Atelier, Perfect Ten and Midtown Modern, which are just 1-4 MRT stations away.
URA's Newton Master Plan
Reserves Sites
Meanwhile, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is exploring plans to introduce new homes and amenities in the Newton area, aiming to meet the demand for diverse housing options in central locations. This initiative is part of URA's broader Recreation Master Plan, which will be incorporated into the next Draft Master Plan in 2025.
The Newton master plan also seeks to enhance public spaces and connectivity while preserving the area's heritage. Approximately 29 ha of land near Newton MRT station are currently zoned as reserve sites, indicating potential for future development.
When the plan is finalised, this is expected to draw a wide range of buyers and investors, with the improved amenities and connectivity adding to the area's attractiveness. This will potentially drive up property values.
Additionally, the proximity to major employment hubs (such as Orchard Road and the Central Business District) and excellent public transport access will make Newton an appealing choice for professionals and families alike.
When fully developed, the Novena/Newton area is poised to become more dynamic and liveable, making it a prime location for current and future property investments.
Besides Novena, other property hotspots include the Greater Southern Waterfront, Jurong Lake District, Tampines Regional Centre, Tampines North, and East Region.
