Singapore projects population leap, reviews land use

SINGAPORE, Feb 10 (Reuters) Singapore is projecting a 40-per cent rise in its population to 6.5 million, and is reviewing how best to use the city-state's limited land space to handle the explosive change, local media reported on Saturday.

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said the Concept Plan of 2001, a 10-year blueprint for land use, had been overtaken by events, suggesting that the population -- which now stands at 4.5 million -- had grown faster than expected.

The Straits Times newspaper quoted Mah as saying that without planning and investment potential investors could be deterred by insufficient land and infrastructure.

Some of the government's proposals include more land set aside for new growth sectors, a doubling of the rail network, mega-parks and lushly landscaped public housing estates with environmentally friendly features.

Mah gave no forecast of when the 6.5 million figure would be reached. But given that Singapore's population has risen from 3.9 million to 4.5 million in the last six years -- mainly due to an influx of foreigners for work and study -- it could be as soon as in 20 years, if current trends hold.

More details of the individual projects will be released by government agencies at a later date, the paper said.

REUTERS MS KP0902