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

“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," said Second Minister for National Development Indranee Rajah.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah, speaking to media on the update of the Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup at D'Marquee, Downtown East on Aug 15, 2026. (File photo: CNA/Raydza Rahman)

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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.”

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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.”

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“我敦促大家不要仅仅把商场视为购物场所，而应该将其视为社区的潜在中心，在那里可以举办单身人士和家庭活动，”国家发展部第二部长英兰妮·拉贾说道。

2026年8月15日，总理公署部长英兰妮·拉贾在吉隆坡市中心东区D'Marquee餐厅向媒体通报婚姻与育儿重置工作组的最新进展。（资料照片：CNA/Raydza Rahman）

这段音频是由人工智能工具生成的。

新加坡：新加坡国家发展部第二部长英兰妮·拉贾周三（9月23日）敦促房地产开发商在其项目中增加更多适合家庭的空间，这是新加坡大力支持婚姻和生育的举措之一。

在新加坡房地产发展商协会 (REDAS) 的中秋午餐会上，英德拉妮女士呼吁开发商为幼儿和老年人打造“有意识且包容”的空间。

英兰妮女士发表此番讲话之际，正值新加坡大力支持生育，该国总和生育率在2025年降至历史新低。

在八月份的国庆群众大会上，总理黄循财预告了由财政部第二部长兼总理公署部长英兰妮女士主持的婚姻与育儿重置工作组提出的第一批建议。

她表示：“扭转结婚率和生育率下降的趋势——这是一个全球趋势，并非新加坡独有——并非政府单凭一己之力就能完成。这需要全社会的共同努力。”

英德拉妮女士表示，房地产行业作为开发商、房东和雇主，可以发挥重要的作用。

“作为开发商，你们对建筑物的设计方式以及它们应该具备哪些功能和设施有很大的发言权。”

她呼吁开发商“领导你们的设计和咨询团队，并指导你们在项目中纳入有意识的、包容家庭的空间”。

她的建议包括：在商业建筑中设置适合家庭使用的公共空间、哺乳室或设施，以及能够同时满足幼儿和老年祖父母需求的空间。

英德拉妮女士还强调了来自家庭的反馈，他们希望有更多的公共空间，例如父母可以等待孩子或老人的地方，以及更多适合家庭的活动。

“我敦促你们不要仅仅将购物中心视为购物场所，而应将其视为社区的潜在中心，在那里你们可以与有组织此类活动经验的合作伙伴合作，为单身人士和家庭举办活动。”

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房地产行业规范的改变

Indranee 女士在与开发商（他们也是雇主）交谈时，强调了年轻父母在平衡工作和照顾家庭方面面临的挑战。

她补充说，在老龄化社会中，许多新加坡人也需要时间照顾年迈的父母、祖父母甚至兄弟姐妹。

“我们不能再沿用2000年代和2010年代行之有效的规范和做法了，”她说。

雇主必须秉持这样的原则：“在任何时候，至少可能有一名或多名员工需要请假照顾家人”。

“我们需要做出调整，找到能够满足雇主和雇员需求和目标的可行模式，”英德拉妮女士补充道。

周三，英德拉妮女士还宣布将对复杂的建筑项目进行更严格的检查。

从 2028 年 9 月起，承接规模更大、更复杂项目的认证检查员 (AC) 和 AC 机构将被要求证明其拥有相关的近期检查和设计经验，以及良好的业绩记录。

英兰妮女士在演讲结束时强调了新加坡房地产发展商会（REDAS）与政府之间的伙伴关系，她说：“我相信，秉持着这种伙伴关系一贯的合作精神，我们将建设一个更宜居、更可持续、更适合家庭发展的新加坡。”

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