PUNGGOL may have some grand plans in the pipeline, but the area's existing developments are already pulling in the awards.
The eco-district bagged top honours at a Housing Board gala last night, taking nine prizes for building and design.
They included an award for the Punggol Waterway, plus others for developments such as Punggol Spring and Damai Grove.
A total of seven prizes for design and 14 for construction were presented at the sixth Housing and Development Board Awards ceremony at Marina Bay Sands.
As well as being Singapore's largest housing developer, with more than a million flats under its belt, the HDB also has a role in planning estates.
The award winners are projects that have produced outstanding work within its guidelines.
For example, Punggol Spring stood out for its innovation and productive construction process. It has 494 units in five 17-storey blocks, and boasts sustainable features such as decks made of recycled timber, which is more durable than its newer counterparts.
Instead of concrete drains, the project has a bioswale filtration system that incorporates soil and plants to promote greenery.
Mr Tony Ng, the precinct's project director, said: "Punggol is shaping up very well, and it's the way forward in terms of including sustainability and greenery in housing developments."
Town planner Surbana won an award for the design of the 4.2km Punggol Waterway. It was also honoured for its work on Clementi interchange, the first development to include HDB flats, a commercial mall and a bus interchange. Other winners included projects in Bukit Batok, Telok Blangah and Ghim Moh.
