Singapore invests S$1 billion to upgrade existing hawker centres and build five new ones over 20-30 years

The Singapore government has announced a long-term commitment to enhancing its iconic hawker centre culture, with plans to invest up to S$1 billion over the next 20 to 30 years. This ambitious initiative includes upgrading existing hawker centres and constructing five new centres to ensure continued accessibility to affordable local cuisine for Singaporeans.

This investment will be directed towards a Hawker Centres Upgrading Programme 2.0 (HUP 2.0), aimed at revitalizing older hawker centres to meet evolving community needs. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu revealed the details during the Committee of Supply debate on March 4, 2025, highlighting the government’s dedication to future-proofing Singapore’s food culture.

Revamping Hawker Centres for the Future

The new HUP 2.0 is built upon lessons learned from previous upgrade programs, such as the Hawker Centre Transformation Programme (HTP), which was piloted at Cheng San Market & Food Centre and Geylang Serai Market & Food Centre in 2021.

These upgrades go beyond standard Repairs and Redecoration (R&R) works, which are typically conducted every six to eight years by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and town councils. The programme will address ventilation improvements, seating optimization, and toilet refurbishments to ensure a cleaner and more comfortable dining experience.

As Singapore faces a warmer climate and an aging population, the government is taking proactive steps to modernize older hawker centres in mature estates. These upgrades will include:

• Better space utilization for a more vibrant community experience
• Improved accessibility with escalators, lifts, and wider walkways
• Enhanced air circulation with high-volume-low-speed (HVLS) fans and greenery integration
• Digital adoption and automation to assist hawkers in managing operations efficiently

Minister Grace Fu emphasized that these changes will “serve the changing needs of Singaporeans for generations to come.”

Five New Hawker Centres to Serve Growing Communities

While the government has yet to announce the exact locations of the five new hawker centres, it confirmed that they will be built in both new and existing housing estates to better serve under-served communities. These additions are in line with previous expansion plans, where 14 hawker centres have been established since 2011 in areas like One Punggol, Bukit Canberra, Jurong West, and Woodleigh Village.

Additionally, two new hawker centres are set to open in 2025:

• Bukit Batok West Hawker Centre (Blk 469 Bukit Batok West Ave 9) – 22 food stalls, over 400 seats
• Punggol Coast Hawker Centre (84 Punggol Way) – 40 food stalls, over 680 seats

These new centres will ensure that residents in developing areas have easy access to affordable and diverse food options.

S$10 Million Grants for Coffee Shop Toilet Upgrades

Beyond hawker centre improvements, the government is also allocating S$10 million to upgrade coffee shop toilets across Singapore, following concerns about hygiene levels raised in a nationwide study. The initiative includes two S$5 million grant programs:

• Coffeeshop Toilet Renovation Grant – Covers up to 95% of renovation costs, capped at S$50,000 per coffee shop
• Coffeeshop Toilet Deep Cleaning Grant – Funds 95% of a two-year deep cleaning contract, capped at S$25,000 per coffee shop

These grants aim to improve cleanliness standards in public dining spaces and create a more hygienic environment for customers, particularly seniors and families with young children.

The expansion and upgrade of hawker centres reflect Singapore’s commitment to preserving its rich hawker culture, which was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020. This initiative ensures that hawker food remains affordable, accessible, and culturally significant for future generations.

For Singaporeans and international visitors, this investment means a better hawker centre experience with improved hygiene, better accessibility, and enhanced dining comfort. The government’s ongoing support of hawkers also ensures the sustainability of Singapore’s unique street food culture, making it an even more attractive destination for food lovers worldwide.

Sources: Mothership (2025), The Online Citizen (2025)

Keywords: Singapore Hawker Centres, Government Investment, Food Accessibility, Urban Planning, Public Dining Spaces