No more new homes in Geylang red-light area, to minimise ‘friction’

SINGAPORE — The heart of Singapore’s red-light district in Geylang is set to be rezoned such that there will be no further residential developments in the area, as residents there become increasingly frustrated by the noise, fights and traffic problems resulting from living in proximity to the colourful activities in the neighbourhood.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has proposed rezoning Lorongs 4 to 22 in Geylang from a “Residential/Institution” area — with “institutions” referring to community ones such as association premises and community clubs — to a “Commercial/Institution” area.

Existing housing developments and new residential projects that have already received the green light will not be affected by the proposed change.

There are about 1,000 completed residential units in the area, and about 200 units, among them Treasure@G20 and #1 Suites at Lorong 20, are being constructed. Another 100 units have been approved, but construction has not begun.

A URA spokesperson said Lorongs 4 to 22 have fewer residential units compared with other areas, but the growth of new residential developments there has led to an “increasing spillover of disamenities and friction” on the ground between residents and the diverse uses in the area. Issues residents have complained about include noise, littering, traffic congestion and illegal parking.

As such, residential development there needs to be “re-balanced and moderated” to minimise friction and avoid eroding the character of the area, said the spokesperson.

The area earmarked by the URA is bound by Geylang Road, Lorong 22 Geylang, Guillemard Road and Lorong 4 Geylang. Existing residential developments there include condominiums, such as Central Imperial and Wing Fong Court, while other entities such as budget hotels, places of worship and shops populate the area.

Member of Parliament for Moulmein-Kallang GRC Edwin Tong said the identity of Lorongs 4 to 22, which come under his watch, will largely be retained as the area is mostly commercial.

“Over the longer term, what this move does is it prevents the mushrooming of further residential properties amid all these commercial activities,” he said.

He added that he has received “very few” complaints from the residents living in the affected area about the disamenities, as those who choose to live there already expect the presence of such activities. The complaints are mainly about fights and noise late at night, he said.

Those working or living in the area interviewed by TODAY said vice activities are common. An employee at a Geylang Road restaurant, who declined to be named, said fights occurred almost daily after midnight, while prostitutes — who tout openly for business — would loiter around his restaurant after 10pm everyday.

“When customers see this type of people around, they do not want to come in and eat,” said the 38-year-old.

At Lorong 8 Geylang, employees at a mobile phone shop, who also did not want to be named, said they were concerned about the criminal activities in the area.

On several occasions, people have been seen sipping on what they suspect to be cough syrup — which is sometimes used as a recreational drug — outside their store, creating a nuisance.

A resident of Wing Fong Court at Lorong 14, who wanted to be known only as Linda, 70, said construction workers and illegal gamblers are among the occupants at the condominium.

“I find it uncomfortable because I am staying around this sort of people, but so far they have not disturbed us. That’s why I could stay for so long,” said the part-time staff nurse, who has lived in the condominium for 15 years. She added that prostitutes loiter at the nearby Talma Road, with up to 15 seen at night on weekends and public holidays.

Property analysts said the proposal would support the growth of developments that would complement the area’s commercial activities.

“Converting the zone to commercial/institutional use will allow (for) more opportunities to leverage the current F&B, entertainment and retail offerings in the area. This might give rise to complementary spin-offs and eventually rejuvenate the precinct as a more commercially-focussed zone,” said Mr Desmond Sim, head of CBRE Research for Singapore and South-east Asia.

Colliers International director of research and advisory Chia Siew Chuin said the businesses there disturbed residents in the area “almost on a 24-hour basis”.

“In addition, some landlords, who have maximised their properties by cramming as many tenants as possible into some of the various residences there, might turn the area into a potential hotbed of conflict and possible disorder if the residential population continues to increase,” added Ms Chia.

The public have until Feb 11 to submit their feedback on the proposed change to the Ministry of National Development.