Singapore is renowned for having one of the best approaches to building housing in the world. Now, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is planning a similar programme. We want to have a closer look here to see what it means for the city. Then, if you need help from a top architect in London, you can trust us.
Singapore’s approach
The Singapore government has been very active in house building since the 1930s. In fact, the majority of new homes are public housing. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) builds thousands every year to cater for demand. Crucially, the homes are subsidised, built, and managed by the government. It gives people easier access to high quality affordable homes. But, it allows the HDB to control the creation of new towns, including delivery of transport links, schools, and other amenities.
Singapore’s success with this housing policy is easy to see. In 2000 a massive 88% of the population lived in public housing. While that number was down to 80% in 2025, it is still the most common type of home in the country.
The Mayor of London’s plan
The GLA is planning to become a direct development partner, taking a leaf from Singapore’s book. The idea is to invest £100m into the Silvertown Partnership. This will facilitate development at Royal Docks, leading to the creation of 7,000 new homes (30% affordable). The aim is to create more housing and get projects moving that have stalled. Speak to us and discuss your plans with a leading architect in London.
Will it work?
The response to the announcement has divided opinion. On one hand it has the potential to be a game changer and help tackle the housing crisis. However, critics worry it won’t work.
A key thing to keep in mind here is Singapore has the conditions to make their housing model successful. The government owns the majority of the land and can control the market, addressing two of the biggest hurdles to getting projects off the ground. At the same time, they ensure consistency in terms of governance and their long term planning goals, even when a change in government occurs.
The big worry is the conditions in London are not ideal for supporting a “Singapore style” housing model. Notably, there are multiple landowners and the market is harder to control. In addition, the planning system itself is fragmented and governance isn’t as consistent.
Working with a creative architect in London
It will be interesting to see if the new strategy pays off. Crucially, the Mayor of London said they have taken Singapore’s approach but “tweaked it”. As a result, it should be more aligned to London’s conditions and the needs of locals.
One of the most important things to keep in mind is it’s very useful to work with architects if you have a project in mind. It can help you navigate the planning environment and design wonderful properties. In addition, you can explore vital topics like sustainability and how to maximise health and wellbeing.
So, if you want to work with an outstanding architect in London, speak to us. Coffey Architects designs award winning homes, office buildings, and more. Working together, we can make your ideas a reality.