What is a housing estate?
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has categorised Singapore’s housing estate into three primary regions, referred to as “market segments”.
These three regions, namely the Core Central Region (CCR), the Rest of Central Region (RCR), and the Outside Central Region (OCR) encompass a total of 28 districts in Singapore.
What is the Core Central Region (CCR)?
The CCR comprises three districts, namely 9, 10, 11, along with the Downtown Core Planning Area and Sentosa, and is considered the heart of Singapore.
It encompasses the city’s prime metropolitan area, primarily the CBD district, where major commercial buildings are located. This region offers easy access to many amenities, including high-end restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.
One of the main reasons why residential or commercial properties in this area are among the most expensive in Singapore is the limited land availability and proximity to the city’s financial district.
What is the Rest of Central Region (RCR)?
The RCR refers to the parts of the Central Region that are not within the postal districts of 9, 10, 11, Downtown Core Planning Area, or Sentosa.
Some of these areas overlap with the CCR postal districts, and certain centrally located locations, such as Chinatown, Outram, Little India, and Tiong Bahru, are also considered part of RCR. Despite being sandwiched between District 9 and the Downtown Core, the area between Bencoolen and Rochor is still classified as RCR.
On the outskirts of RCR, you’ll find areas like Bishan and Buona Vista, which are considered part of RCR and share postal districts with Ang Mo Kio and Clementi, respectively.
The RCR is popular for its mid-range properties, which include top-notch bungalows and condominiums. Even the HDB housing developments in this region are more valuable than those found in other areas.
What is the Outside Central Region (OCR)?
The OCR encompasses all areas in Singapore not classified under the CCR or RCR.
It comprises 33 areas, including postal districts 16-19 and 21-28. The OCR has a high concentration of residential properties, with a larger proportion of HDB flats than private properties such as mass-market condominiums, terraces, townhouses, and Executive Condominiums (ECs).
Homes in the OCR are generally priced lower than those in the CCR and RCR. Despite being located outside the city centre, many people reside in this area due to Singapore’s excellent public transportation options.
Moreover, the government’s decentralisation plan has motivated companies such as banks and technology firms to establish offices in regional centres, thereby increasing the desirability of housing in the OCR.
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