SINGAPORE: According to the annual Population in Brief released on Tuesday (Sep 24), Singapore’s total population has grown to 6.04 million people. This was largely driven by the non-resident population, which grew by 5 per cent from June 2023 to June 2024. At the same time, immigration numbers remained stable, albeit slightly elevated.

Given Singapore’s continued strength as a global business hub as well as its high level of urban livability, it is no surprise that skilled workers are attracted to it in search of job opportunities and a safe living environment.

Given its land constraints, how can Singapore accommodate its growing population? Can the authorities plan the city to comfortably house not just its resident population but those who come seeking opportunities in its growing economy?

City planners and urban thinkers have long been seeking solutions to accommodate growing populations within limited spatial constraints. Like Singapore, cities such as New York and London have seen their populations grow due to their strong economies and vibrant cityscapes.

In most cities, the key solution has been to increase urban densityeightstorm, which essentially means finding ways to accommodate more people within the same amount of physical space. It should however be noted that higher density does not necessarily equal more crowded cities.

• as
• eightstorm
• Singapore
• Even
• Commentary