SINGAPORE - The first Housing Board (HDB) projects in Bidadari, to be launched later in November, will feature lush greenery and social spaces in line with the area's vision of being "a community in a garden".
Residents will be able to enjoy a market square, a scenic park and lake, as well as cycling paths after they move in, the HDB said.
A 1.8km park connector, for instance, will provide a direct cycling route from Punggol to Kallang through the estate. Residents can also cycle or walk along a 1.6km "greenway" that weaves through the area.
Spanning 93 ha, about the size of 150 football fields, Bidadari is bounded by Bartley Road, Sennett Estate, Upper Serangoon Road and Mount Vernon Road.
The largest of its four districts, Alkaff District, is home to three upcoming projects which comprise 2,139 flats.
Despite formerly housing a cemetery, Bidadari's central location in Toa Payoh town makes it one of the most anticipated sites in this month's bumper Build-To-Order flat launch.
A highlight is the 10ha Bidadari Park housing the new Alkaff Lake, named after the Southern Arab family which opened the former Alkaff Lake Garden in the area in 1929.
There will also be a market square that includes a food court and bus interchange.
The first three projects - Alkaff CourtView, Alkaff LakeView and Alkaff Vista - will be completed between 2019 and 2020 and are within a five to 10 minute walk from Woodleigh and Potong Pasir MRT stations.
They will feature thoroughfares flanked by social and commercial facilities, roof gardens, elevated walkways and landscaped lift lobbies that extend out of the block facades for scenic views.
Alkaff CourtView will also have garden courtyards and a veranda for community activities.
Prices will be revealed only when these flats are launched.
Bidadari's green nature extends to plans to make the town "car-light".
HDB's director of urban planning Lim Shu Ying said: "Residents can cycle safely and conveniently within the estate. We hope to encourage residents to use walking and cycling as alternative modes of transport rather than taking a car."
Car and bicycle sharing systems, including special parking spaces, will be part of Bidadari's design.
