# Indranee urges developers to build more family-friendly spaces amid Singapore’s push to support parenthood

- **Source:** Channel NewsAsia
- **Published:** 2026-09-23T09:40:51.000Z
- **Author:** Renee Kuek
- **Original:** https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/indranee-rajah-parenthood-family-friendly-spaces-redas-6401961
- **Topics:** Commercial & Industrial, New Launches, Government & Policy

## Featured rationale

The government’s emphasis may encourage developers and landlords to prioritise family-friendly design, potentially influencing project planning, amenity provision and the appeal of commercial and residential developments.

## AI summary

Indranee Rajah urged developers to incorporate intentional, inclusive family spaces and amenities into projects, while announcing tighter checks for complex buildings from September 2028.

## Original article

SINGAPORE: Second Minister for National Development Indranee Rajah on Wednesday (Sep 23) urged property developers to include more family-friendly spaces in their projects, amid a broader push by Singapore to support marriage and parenthood. Speaking at the Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore’s (REDAS) mid-autumn lunch, Ms Indranee called on developers to include “intentional and inclusive” spaces for young children and elderly people. Ms Indranee's speech comes amid a broader push by Singapore to support parenthood as the country's total fertility rate fell to a record low in 2025. At the National Day Rally in August, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong gave a preview of the first set of recommendations proposed by the Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup chaired by Ms Indranee, who is also Second Minister for Finance and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. “Reversing the downward trend for marriage and parenthood, which is a global trend and not limited to Singapore, cannot be done by government alone,” she said. “It must be a whole-of-society effort.” The real estate sector has a meaningful role to play as developers, landlords and employers, said Ms Indranee. “As developers, you have a big say in how buildings are designed and what features and amenities they should have.” She called on developers to “provide leadership to your design and consultancy teams and give guidance to include intentional and inclusive spaces for families in your projects”. Her suggestions included family-friendly common spaces, lactation rooms or facilities in commercial buildings, and spaces that cater to young children and elderly grandparents alike. Ms Indranee also highlighted feedback from families on the need for more common spaces, such as places where parents can wait for children or seniors, as well as more family-friendly activities. “I urge you to see your malls not just as places for shopping, but as potential hubs for the community where you can have activities for singles and families, in collaboration with partners who have experience in organising such activities.”

CHANGING NORMS IN REAL ESTATE Speaking to developers in their capacity as employers, Ms Indranee highlighted challenges young parents face in balancing work and caregiving. In an ageing society, she added, many Singaporeans also need time to care for parents, grandparents or even siblings as they grow older. “We cannot operate using norms and practices that served us in the 2000s and 2010s,” she said. Employers have to operate on the basis that “at any given point in time, at least one or more employees may have to take time off for caregiving responsibilities”. “We need to adapt and find workable models that meet employers’ and employees’ needs and objectives,” Ms Indranee added. On Wednesday, Ms Indranee also announced tighter checks for complex building projects. From September 2028, accredited checkers (AC) and AC organisations who undertake larger and more complex projects will be required to demonstrate relevant recent checking and design experience, as well as a good track record. Ms Indranee closed her speech emphasising the partnership between REDAS and the government, saying, “I am confident that with the spirit of collaboration that has always defined this partnership, we will build a Singapore that is more liveable, sustainable, and one where families can thrive.”

## Chinese translation

> Translation model: grok_cli

### 在新加坡推动支持生育之际，英兰妮呼吁发展商建设更多家庭友好空间

国家发展部第二部长英兰妮表示：“我呼吁各位不要只把购物中心看作购物场所，而应将其视为潜在的社区枢纽，可以在此为单身人士和家庭举办活动。”

新加坡：国家发展部第二部长英兰妮于周三（9月23日）呼吁房地产开发商在项目中纳入更多家庭友好空间，此举正值新加坡更广泛推动支持婚姻与生育。在新加坡房地产发展商协会（REDAS）中秋午宴上，英兰妮呼吁发展商为幼儿和年长者纳入“有意识且包容”的空间。英兰妮发表讲话之际，新加坡正更广泛推动支持生育，该国总和生育率在2025年跌至历史新低。在8月的国庆群众大会上，总理黄循财预告了由英兰妮担任主席的婚姻与生育重塑工作小组提出的首批建议。英兰妮同时兼任财政部第二部长及总理公署部长。“扭转婚姻与生育的下行趋势——这是全球趋势，并不限于新加坡——不能仅靠政府一己之力，”她说。“这必须是全社会的共同努力。”英兰妮表示，房地产行业作为发展商、业主和雇主，可以发挥有意义的作用。“作为发展商，你们对建筑如何设计、应配备哪些设施和便利配套，拥有很大的话语权。”她呼吁发展商“为设计和顾问团队提供领导，并给予指导，以便在项目中纳入有意识且包容的家庭空间”。她的建议包括家庭友好的公共空间、商业建筑内的哺乳室或相关设施，以及同时照顾幼儿和年长祖父母需求的空间。英兰妮还提到，家庭反馈需要更多公共空间，例如家长可以等候孩子或年长者的地方，以及更多家庭友好活动。“我呼吁各位不要只把购物中心看作购物场所，而应将其视为潜在的社区枢纽，可以在此与具备举办此类活动经验的合作伙伴协作，为单身人士和家庭举办活动。”

房地产领域规范正在转变 英兰妮以雇主身份向发展商讲话时，强调年轻父母在兼顾工作与照护方面面临的挑战。她补充说，在老龄化社会中，许多新加坡人也需要时间照顾父母、祖父母，甚至随着兄弟姐妹年迈而照顾他们。“我们不能再用2000年代和2010年代那套行之有效的规范和做法来运作，”她说。雇主必须以这样的前提来运作：“在任何时点，至少有一名或多名员工可能需要请假履行照护责任”。“我们需要调整并找到既能满足雇主、也能满足雇员需求和目标的可行模式，”英兰妮补充道。周三，英兰妮还宣布将对复杂建筑项目实施更严格的检查。自2028年9月起，承接规模更大、更为复杂项目的认可检查员（AC）及认可检查机构，须证明具备相关近期检查与设计经验，以及良好往绩。英兰妮在讲话结尾强调REDAS与政府之间的伙伴关系，她说：“我有信心，凭借始终定义这一伙伴关系的协作精神，我们将建设一个更宜居、更可持续、让家庭能够蓬勃发展的新加坡。”