Indranee Rajah calls for buildings and malls that welcome families

A building can meet a family’s needs—or make an ordinary outing harder. At the Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore (REDAS) mid-autumn lunch on September 23, 2026, Second Minister for National Development Indranee Rajah asked developers to give more thought to how children and older people use the spaces they build. She also urged mall owners to see their properties as places for community life, not just shopping. 12

Design for different generations

Indranee called for “intentional and inclusive” spaces for young children and elderly people in property projects. For developers and landlords, the practical direction was to consider families’ needs when planning buildings and their amenities, rather than treating family-friendliness as an afterthought. 13

She also proposed a broader role for malls: community hubs that can hold activities for singles and families. That would make them places to gather and participate, as well as places to buy things. 23

Where employers fit in

Workplaces are another part of Indranee’s wider family-support message, though her specific examples came in separate speeches. She has urged employers to offer flexible work options and provide facilities such as lactation rooms to help employees manage work and family commitments. 519

Why the call matters

Singapore’s total fertility rate fell to a record-low 0.87 in 2025. The government’s wider marriage-and-parenthood effort addresses barriers including costs, work-life balance, housing and caregiving. Family-friendly buildings cannot resolve those challenges on their own, but Indranee’s appeal asks businesses to make everyday spaces and working life more supportive alongside other measures. 5721