The vision for urban renewal and the revitalization of our urban centres speaks to: “Safe, vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable urban centres providing all users with adequate services for an enhanced quality of life through effective partnerships and networks”.

This vision articulates a rethinking of urban renewal and city development as we seek to move away from the myopic and archaic means of urban renewal that focused solely on the “hard objects” – buildings and infrastructure. Instead, it provides for an appreciation of the “soft objects” such as, creative arts, heritage and culture, and a strategic amalgamation of the two objects underpinned by the principles of livability, inclusiveness, equity, and sustainability, as outlined by the New Urban Agenda. The vision is also shaped by Sustainable Development Goal 11: make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

MEGJC recognizes the challenges of urban blight and its corresponding impact on the built and natural environments. As a result, the Ministry has a toolkit for urban renewal, which is guided by strategic policy and supported by practical and sustainable projects and programmes executed through continuous partnerships with key stakeholders in major sectors. Therefore, the Urban Renewal and Development Branch aims to incorporate all the portfolio areas of MEGJC because it is necessary that while we remedy the housing situation, there is preservation of the environment and strong climate adaptation and resilience across our urban spaces.