Dr Cheong Koon Hean is the first recipient from Asia to become an Urban Land Institute J.C. Nichols Laureate. (Photo: HDB)
The Housing and Development Board’s (HDB) CEO, Dr Cheong Koon Hean, has emerged as the most recent recipient of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) J.C. Nichols Prize for Visionaries in Urban Development.
The ULI J.C. Nichols Prize is the highest award given out by the ULI, and recognises a person or a person representing an institution whose work demonstrates a commitment to the creation of communities that reflect the highest standards of design and development.
As the 17th Nichols laureate and the first from Asia, Dr Cheong was recognised for her efforts in improving the quality of affordable housing, with special emphasis on keeping extended families closer together.
Jury Chairman Marilyn J. Taylor, Professor of Architecture and Design and Former Dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Design in Philadelphia, said Dr Cheong has been very effective at finding new ways in making housing attainable for families, and also accommodating the various cultures and ethnicities in Singapore in socially harmonious communities.
Championing the concept of creative placemaking to inject greater vibrancy to an area, Dr Cheong, who also served as CEO of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), played a key role in transforming Marina Bay, the historic Singapore River, and the civic and museum district at Bras Basah-Bugis.
She was also instrumental in the development of new growth areas in Paya Lebar, Kallang Riverside and Jurong Lake District. Dr Cheong also helped transform Singapore’s public housing to include award-winning projects, such as Waterway Terraces at Punggol, The Pinnacle @ Duxton, as well as SkyTerrace and SkyVille @ Dawson.
“What Dr Cheong has accomplished in Singapore exemplifies what the Nichols Prize is about — being an urban visionary, taking chances, weathering the risks and producing ever better results,” said Kathleen Carey, President of the ULI Foundation.
Meanwhile, Dr Cheong noted that Singapore’s story is about how a land- and resource-poor city-state managed to develop a highly liveable, high density city.
“Doing this has not come easy. It requires collective effort, innovative policies and plans, and dedicated and capable people, all supported by strong leadership. It is heartening that the Urban Land Institute recognises the role of urban planners, many of whom work behind the scenes, to shape cities for a better future,” she said.
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
