AnEndearing

Home,A DistinctiveGlobal CitySingapore

A MND Publication

Ministry of National Development5 Maxwell Road #21-00Tower Block MND ComplexSingapore 069110

www.mnd.gov.sg

Green House Design + Communications

Welcometo our world

A small island-state located in the heart of Southeast Asia, Singapore is more than a thriving business and fi nancial hub. It is also widely polled as one of the most liveable cities in Asia. The 2007 Worldwide Quality of Living Survey by Mercer Human Resource Consulting ranked Singapore the best Asian city to live in, as well as Asias No. 1 place to live, work and play in its 2005-2006 survey. Singapore was also ranked 17th in Monocles most liveable global cities list. The World Economic Forum placed Singapore in the 8th position in its list of top global travel destinations.

Over the years, through careful long term planning and a resolve to follow through in the implementation of our plans, we were able to lay a strong foundation for our growth as a nation, sustain a high quality of life for our people, and present the country as an attractive destination for international talents and businesses. Where we are today is no accident of nature but the result of four decades of judicious and long term land use planning a responsibility that is undertaken by the Ministry of National Development (MND).

An Endearing Home, A Distinctive Global City

Contents

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Eating Safely, Living Well

Limited Land, Infi nite Aspirations

Building Homes, Shaping Communities

Delivering the Best Built Environment

From Garden City to City in a Garden

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An Endearing Home,A Distinctive Global City

MNDs Roles and Responsibilities

Established in 1959, MND is the key government agency responsible for national land use and development planning. It lives up to its roles and responsibilities by guiding Singapores physical development and optimising scarce land resources whilst delivering affordable and quality public housing solutions. At the same time, MND actively pursues urban redevelopment and conservation of heritage buildings and areas, to balance rapid development in the country. It is also proactive in developing and promoting an effi cient construction industry responsive to Singapores economic growth. MNDs responsibilities also include the provision and management of parks and open spaces in Singapore, as well as the conservation of nature areas. MND is also charged with the responsibility of maintaining a high standard of primary food safety, and animal and plant health.

Aspirations Today, Reality Tomorrow

MNDs policies on land use planning and infrastructural development are critical to sustain Singapores economic development and have a signifi cant impact on the social well being of all Singaporeans. With the rapid development and growth

An Overviewof Singapore, MNDs challenge has evolved from providing basic housing and infrastructure to creating a total living environment to meet the aspirations and expectations of an increasingly affl uent society.

With this in mind, MND aims to make Singapore An Endearing Home and a Distinctive Global City. In order to achieve this, we will have to work hard to fulfi l our Mission to Develop a world class infrastructure Create a vibrant and sustainable living environment Build rooted and cohesive communities

This book will help you to understand the challenges ahead for both Singapore and for MND, and will detail for you how we and our statutory boards will work together to make Singapore a thriving and vibrant city for business, living and leisure. From providing basic necessities such as food and shelter, to developing tomorrows workplaces and leisure and relaxation options, MND will continue to provide the best home for all who live, work and play in Singapore.

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Limited Land,Infi nite AspirationsEvery inch of Singapores scarce land resources is optimally utilised for economic growth and to improve the quality of life for all Singaporeans.

8A small country, with a total land area of about 700 km2, Singapores challenges have always been to optimise land resources to meet our current needs, to safeguard land for future development, and to maintain the best quality of life at each stage of growth. In meeting these challenges, MND, with its statutory board, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), carries out strategic planning through the Concept Plan and the Master Plan to ensure the effi cient use of Singapores land over time.

Rolling Out the Concept Plan

Developed in 1971, the Concept Plan sets the long-term strategy for Singapores physical development by mapping out the vision for the country in the next 40 to 50 years. It articulates the strategic directions for land use and transportation, and the plan is reviewed every 10 years, taking into account changing economic and population trends, and land use needs in the course of Singapores physical growth. The Concept Plan ensures that we use our land resource effi ciently and effectively, so that our quality of life improves even as we carry out development of the country.

Last reviewed in 2001, the Concept Plan went through a mid-term review in 2006 by MND, URA and various other government agencies, to take into account recent population trends and the strong economic prospects in Singapores future. On the horizon are many investment opportunities in high value-added industries, the fi nancial and business services sector and the tourism sector. In order to tap into these opportunities, we have to ensure that we have suffi cient land and infrastructure ready to attract investments and support economic

growth. With the long-term population parameter of 6.5 million people, we will not only have to house a larger population, but also provide more housing options and incorporate features that will enhance the living experience in Singapore.

Fine-tuning the Master Plan

The Master Plan translates the broad visions of the Concept Plan into detailed land use plans. The Master Plan 1998 was the fi rst to divide Singapore into 55 areas and offered detailed plans for each of these areas. The detailed plans bring a local perspective to the macro vision of the Concept Plan, setting guidelines on land-use zoning, and height and development intensity for the different areas in Singapore. The plans address housing needs as well as community, commercial, industrial, transport and recreational facilities for the population of each area.

Reviewed every fi ve years, the last Master Plan, completed in 2003, focuses on providing a good quality of life, enhancing the business environment and preserving and enhancing Singapores physical identity to encourage a sense of rootedness here.

Master Plan 2003 featured two island-wide initiatives: the Parks and Waterbodies Plan, and the Identity Plan. These plans incorporated ideas and directions generated during the Concept Plan 2001 Review. They also included fresh and constructive ideas from the public, whose feedback was gathered through public exhibitions and dialogue sessions.

The review for Master Plan 2008 is underwayand will, similarly, take into consideration the feedback from stakeholders as well as new trends and demands.

Ensuring Development Coordination

Singapores continued growth requires well-coordinated infrastructural development. To ensure this, MND has URA to help coordinate and implement public infrastructural improvement and building works projects. These works include the recently completed 2.6-km Changi Point Coastal Walk, as well as the bridges and nature trail constructed to link up the scenic Southern Ridges consisting of Mount Faber, Telok Blangah and Kent Ridge.

Guiding Development with Regular Feedback

Development control guides individual developments and facilitates orderly development according to the planning intention for the area as stipulated in the Master Plan. This function has proven to be increasingly challenging, as URA has to balance the needs of various constituents, like businesses and residents, whose interests are often confl icting.

URA conducts regular reviews with industry professionals and the general public to ensure that its policies and guidelines are pro-business, user-friendly and relevant to prevailing needs. Over the years, many development control guidelines have been simplifi ed and revised to give greater fl exibility, and to allow more innovative designs to emerge. To make things more convenient and effi cient, URAs Electronic Development and Application system allows development applications and amendments to approved plans to be submitted through the Internet.

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Innovative Government Land Sales Programme

To realise our planning intentions and Singapores economic objectives, URA as the main land sales agent for the Government, coordinates the supply of State land for sale to the private sector through the Government Land Sales (GLS) Programme. The programme is an innovative and effective way of forging partnerships between the Government and the private sector. The Government puts out the land for sale, and the private sector provides the capital investment and marketing expertise to develop the sites to meet Singapores business, housing and leisure needs.

The GLS Programme has been instrumental in shaping much of the physical development of Singapore. It has been instrumental in transforming both new

and developed land into valuable real estate. The rejuvenation of the Singapore River into a commercial, recreational and residential area; the conversion of Tanjong Rhu from shipyards into a quality waterfront residential area; and the revitalisation of China Square into a unique commercial node to complement the nearby Raffl es Place all are notable examples of redeveloped areas benefi ting from the GLS Programme.

Preserving Singapores Architectural Heritage

The conservation of historic buildings and areas to preserve Singapores rich architectural heritage is an integral part of our city planning. The Conservation Programme, initiated two decades ago to answer the need to preserve our built heritage, has resulted in the protection of about 6,560 heritage buildings in 86 areas. This despite the constant challenge of meeting the development needs of a growing nation with limited land. The programme is the fi rst large-scale urban conservation programme in South East Asia,

protecting areas, settings and vernacular buildings of architectural and historical value. The harmonious co-existence of the old and new gives the city a sense of cohesion, continuity and character.

Buildings are selected for conservation based on historical and architectural signifi cance, rarity in terms of building types and styles, and contribution to the overall environment. From colonial and pre-war buildings, URA has moved on to also identifying signifi cant post-war buildings for conservation. For its successful public-private partnership and comprehensive and market-oriented approach to conserving heritage districts, URAs conservation programme was conferred the prestigious Urban Land Institute (ULI) Global Awards for Excellence in October 2006.

Promoting Architectural & Urban Design Excellence

Besides and beyond conservation, MND is also committed to creating new and attractive iconic developments and spaces within Singapore. URA will continue to promote an active design culture through Architecture and Urban Design Excellence

initiatives. These would include providing incentives, hosting world-class architecture exhibitions, organising talks by eminent designers and spearheading design competitions. These efforts will go towards ensuring greater improvement in the quality of our buildings, the further development of spaces of distinction, as well as the encouragement of greater appreciation of design and quality among the public. Through all these efforts, we aim to create the mindset and culture to drive the effort to make Singapore an attractive and memorable city.

Building the New Downtown at Marina Bay

A new downtown is fast taking shape at Marina Bay, the centrepiece of the redevelopment of Singapores Central Business District. Built to meet the needs of the 21st Century, this city will integrate seamlessly with the existing Central Business District at Raffl es Place. The development includes a mix of commercial, residential and entertainment developments, creating an exciting array of unlimited opportunities for locals and foreigners alike to live, work and play in.

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The new Marina Bay area is fast transforming with visually arresting developments being progressively and dramatically unveiled. The recently completed One Raffl es Quay and the NTUC Centre have been joined by the Marina Barrage, which transforms Marina Bay into a freshwater reservoir cum watersports venue. The Singapore Flyer will be up in 2008, and 2009 will see the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort opening its doors to the view of the waterfront promenade and the new double-helix bridge spanning the bay. The Sail@Marina Bay will be completed in the same year, introducing the fi rst residents to Marina Bay. In 2010, the Marina Bay Financial Centre as well as the Gardens by the Bay will be completed.

These key developments over the next fi ve years will help meet the demand for space

for fi nancial, business services, tourism and housing. They will also inject activity and excitement around the Bay. The successful development of Marina Bay will be supported by state-of-the art infrastructure vehicular and pedestrian bridges, the road network, and the mass rapid transit system. The construction of the Common Services Tunnel (CST) is also well underway. This will be a sophisticated, purpose-built, fully-integrated underground tunnel that houses and distributes utility services to developments in the new downtown.

Enhancing Strategic Areas Other parts of Singapore are also bubbling with exciting plans for enhancement and redevelopment. Orchard Road is all geared up for an exciting makeover with three new landmark commercial developments as well

as other innovative redevelopments in the pipeline. The Bras Basah.Bugis area is on its way to becoming Singapores arts, cultural, learning and entertainment hub. Other places with distinctive character like Little India, Kampong Glam, Balestier, Holland Village, Siglap Village will also be improved.

New areas for development will be opened up to meet the growing demand for space in the business services sector. The decentralising of commercial activities from the city centre opens up new opportunities for businesses looking for space to set up or grow in. The Tampines Regional Centre has already been successfully developed into a vibrant offi ce and retail cum entertainment hub. In the next few years, we will build up another Regional centre in Jurong, with Paya Lebar Regional Centre to come next. There is, also, still potential for growth at the Woodlands Regional Centre.

Planning for the Future

MND faces the constant challenge of meeting the needs of a growing population. Its development plans must also keep pace with the fast-changing needs of Singapore-based businesses, as well as the rising aspirations of Singaporeans who are seeking a better quality of life. The Government is fully committed to putting in the necessary investment to create a vibrant and distinctive city. Together with the people and our partners in the private sector, we will shape the physical landscape of our future and make Singapore a liveable and attractive city; one that offers not only economic opportunities but also social stability and a healthy and sustainable physical living environment.

Public housing in Singapore has come to mean more than just providing affordable high quality homes, it is also about meeting the needs and aspirations of all Singaporeans.

Building Homes,Shaping Communities

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Our aim is to build homes that encourage the growth of vibrant, thriving multi-racial communities. The work encompasses a wide range of activities that include the planning and development of new towns, the allocation and managing of HDB properties, and the upgrading and redevelopment of older HDB towns and estates.

Promoting Home Ownership

Since our fi rst rental blocks in the early 1960s, public housing in Singapore has made remarkable strides in standards and quality. Our public housing programme has earned international accolades and recognition for setting the high standard of living conditions in Singapore.

The cornerstone of Singapores public housing programme is our home ownership policy. Started in 1964, the Home Ownership for the People Scheme aimed to give Singaporeans a tangible stake in their country and its future. Today, HDB fl ats have become a signifi cant part of our peoples assets, as about 95 per cent of HDB residents own their fl ats.

As public housing in Singapore is aimed at the masses, affordability is of paramount importance in MNDs policy considerations. With its pricing subsidy and attractive mortgage repayment plans, the Government has ensured that the prices of new HDB fl ats are kept within reach of the vast majority. In addition, allowing the use of Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings for the purchase of HDB fl ats has enhanced their affordability. First-time homebuyers can also apply for a CPF Housing Grant if they prefer to buy a resale HDB fl at. Lower income families are given an Additional Housing Grant. For the small minority who cannot afford their own homes, subsidised rental housing is available.

Building Communities and the Singapore Identity

To build a unique living environment that residents can readily identify with, towns and neighbourhoods incorporate distinctive design themes that refl ect the heritage of each respective area. Apartment blocks are grouped in precinct clusters with supporting social and recreational facilities to help strengthen the residents sense of belonging to the area. Common spaces

With 82 per cent of Singaporeans living in public housing fl ats, public housing provides more than just a roof over our heads; it is truly a signifi cant part of our collective experience. MND provides high quality yet affordable public housing for Singaporeans by working closely with the Housing & Development Board (HDB) to deliver public housing solutions.

and shared facilities such as playgrounds and fi tness corners help to facilitate better interaction amongst neighbours. Residents can also participate in managing their own HDB estate through local Town Councils, Citizens Consultative Committees or Residents Committees. To promote social integration and harmony, HDB policies are aimed at promoting a mix of households of different races and income groups within our estates.

Beyond the neighbourhood, HDB towns seek to provide a living environment in which its residents social, recreational and community needs can be fulfi lled. HDB plans and coordinates the provision of various commercial, social and recreational facilities catering to different age groups and interests. Community bonding is supported through the provision of facilities like sports complexes, swimming pools, community clubs and neighbourhood parks. This integrated approach to town planning also encompasses the planning of necessary infrastructure such as bus interchanges and Mass Rapid Transit and Light Rapid Transit stations to improve town accessibility and convenience.

Assisting the Lower Income Group

While our comprehensive public housing programme has made the majority of Singaporeans homeowners, there remains a small group who will need extra help in attaining this dream. HDB offers various schemes to address the housing concerns of this group. For lower income families who are rental fl at tenants, the current schemes which can help them own homes include the Sale of Flat to Sitting Tenants Scheme, the Rent & Purchase Scheme, and the Tenants Priority Scheme.

To provide more targeted assistance to lower income households, citizen families who are fi rst-time buyers with household incomes not exceeding S$4,000 can apply for an additional housing subsidy in the form of an Additional CPF Housing Grant when they buy a new or resale HDB fl at. The grant quantum is graduated such that those who earn less would enjoy a higher subsidy. HDB has also resumed building two- and three-room HDB fl ats to meet the housing needs of these lower income families.

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Caring for the Elderly

By the year 2030, about 19 per cent of Singapores population will be aged 65 years and above. One of HDBs major challenges is to meet the specifi c housing needs of a greying population. In fact, HDB had started building Studio Apartments in 1998 to expand the range of housing options for those over 55 years of age. Customised for independent and elderly living, these apartments come with a variety of elderly-friendly and safety features. These Studio Apartments are well received, and HDB will be stepping up the sale of more of these under the Build-to-Order (BTO) system.

To better meet the changing needs of an ageing population, HDB will also implement Universal Design (UD) features within and outside the fl ats for all HDB housing projects tendered from July 2006. The UD concept aims to create a user-friendly environment for young and old. The fi rst HDB BTO project with UD features is Fernvale Vista in Sengkang, which was offered for sale in July 2006. The UD features for this BTO project include

ramps at the main entrance of the fl at, leveled fl oors throughout the fl at, wider internal corridor and doorways, wheelchair-accessible common toilets as well as easily accessible switch sockets.

New approaches, construction methods and materials will also be introduced to make lift upgrading more affordable. The Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP), which aims to provide lift access on every fl oor of HDB blocks, will be completed by 2014. HDB blocks and multi-storey car parks will progressively be installed with lift landings on every fl oor as well.

Under Project LIFE Lift Improvement and Facilities Enhancement for the elderly, HDB has also been upgrading its one-room rental fl ats (with a high concentration of elderly residents) by fi tting elderly-friendly and safety features.

A key concern of the elderly is retirement adequacy. MND and HDB have put in place various options to help retirees, who may be asset-rich but cash-poor, to monetise their assets for retirement. These include allowing them to sublet their fl ats to earn extra income or to cash out of their existing fl ats and move to smaller ones. The Subletting of Flats policy has been relaxed over the years to make it easier for lessees to sublet their HDB fl at. All lessees of HDB fl ats who have occupied their fl ats for fi ve years will be able to sublet their whole fl at. Those who bought their fl at without a housing subsidy can sublet their whole fl at after occupying it for at least three years.

Since 3 March 2006, banks and fi nancial institutions can also offer reverse mortgage schemes for HDB fl ats, to provide an

additional option for elderly lessees to monetise their fl at and enhance their retirement needs.

MND and HDB will also be introducing a Lease Buyback Scheme for elderly owners living in two- and three-room fl ats (who have not bought more than one subsidised fl at). Under the scheme, HDB will buy back the tail end of the fl at lease, leaving the elderly owners with a shorter lease on the same fl at. In this way, the elderly owners will be able to receive a payout to meet their needs while continuing to live in the same fl at.

Encouraging Entrepreneurship

Since 2003, all homeowners are allowed to conduct approved small-scale businesses in their homes under the Home Offi ce Scheme. The scheme allows homeowners the fl exibility to work from the comfort of their own homes while reducing the start-up costs of setting up a small business. The scheme will also save commuting time and expenses, and enable residents to spend more time with their families. However, homeowners must ensure that their businesses do not cause disturbance to neighbours or compromise the ambience of the housing estate.

Offering Convenience with e-Administration

MND and its statutory boards have invested in Internet and electronic channels to enable Singaporeans to access information with ease. HDB eAlert service sends out personalised and timely email updates to subscribers on HDB matters. The e-SERS facility on the HDB InfoWEB enables

residents to visit a Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) exhibition in the comfort of their home with the SERS Virtual Exhibition. Visitors can also have their queries answered by using a personalised enquiry form.

The HDB InfoWEB also has a facility that allows interested fl at buyers to calculate their estimated mortgage repayment rate, and clarify their fi nancing options via email. HDB residents who are curious about what price their fl at might fetch in the resale market can also access an archive of resale prices online. Residents can also submit online applications for after-sales services such as the change of fl at ownership and renovation permits. These convenient, easy-to-use electronic services have brought public housing information and services closer to current and potential HDB homeowners.

Promoting Research & Development

HDB has committed substantial resources to develop its Research & Development (R&D) programmes and initiatives with the aim of achieving more cost-effective and environmentally friendly design products. Collaborations with business partners, other government agencies and academic institutions have been established to conduct joint research and to develop new products for the market.

HDB has also played a key role in leading the construction and real estate industry towards environmentally sustainable development. The Committee of Environmental Sustainability led by the Chairman of HDB, comprising both public and private sectors representatives, has been

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formed to enable HDB to play a proactive role in promoting and implementing environmental best practices and values. As the largest housing developer in Singapore, HDB will have all its new public housing projects certifi ed with the BCA Green Mark with effect from January 2007.

Maintaining Vibrancy of Towns

Older HDB towns need to be continually maintained and upgraded so that they do not fall to dilapidation. Moreover, as new HDB towns benefi t from technological advancements that have come on stream, the gap in design and standard in quality between the older and newer towns will, naturally, widen. Recognising this, the HDBs Estate Renewal Strategy was put in place to rejuvenate older HDB towns and estates. This initiative not only transforms the physical environment of these towns, but also enhances the asset value of these older homes. In this way, residents in the older estates do not have to relocate to newer estates to enjoy better facilities. Hence the community ties that were built over the years can be effectively retained.

The Estate Renewal Strategy comprises several key programmes. Under the Main Upgrading Programme (MUP) and Interim Upgrading Programme (IUP), which were introduced in the 1990s, older HDB fl ats and/or their precinct surroundings were upgraded to become comparable to those in newer towns. The LUP was introduced in 2001 to retrofi t HDB blocks with lifts that stop on every fl oor. Under SERS, old fl ats may be acquired and the whole area redeveloped to optimise land use. The fl at owners are compensated at market prices and offered new homes at subsidised prices.

These upgrading programmes have successfully rejuvenated the physical surroundings and community space in our housing estates. To meet the changing needs and aspirations of residents, HDB introduced two new upgrading programmes in 2007 with the aims of offering greater fl exibility in the provision of fl at improvement works and ensuring optimisation of facilities across neighbourhoods. The Home Improvement Programme (HIP), which will replace the MUP, will address common maintenance problems in older fl ats. In addition, it offers fl at owners a list of optional improvement items to choose from. While the HIP focuses on improvements within the fl at, the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) focuses on improvements within the neighbourhood. Under the NRP, which will replace the IUP, HDB will take into account residents feedback and views on the facilities to be built.

These enhancement programmes are all part of HDBs efforts to go beyond estate upgrading to place greater emphasis on the

land to designing the project, to overseeing construction and selling the fl ats directly to eligible fl at buyers. Following the successful launch of The Premiere@Tampines in October 2006, two more sites, at Boon Keng Road and Ang Mo Kio, have been launched for DBSS projects.

As the New Economy and a new generation of HDB buyers generate the demand for a wider range of housing options at different price levels, MND will continue to formulate and review our public housing policies to cater to these changing needs and aspirations. We will also seek to provide a greater variety of housing options through our partnerships with the private sector.

rejuvenation of our housing estates. In this way, we will not only optimise land use but also incorporate features that will enhance each respective HDB residents living experience. Exciting plans have been drawn up to improve the new towns, upgrade the middle-age towns and rejuvenate the old towns.

More Variety in Housing

The 900,000 fl ats across Singapore come in different sizes to suit the different income and lifestyle requirements of Singaporeans. There are one- and two-room fl ats for lower income families, Studio Apartments for the elderly, three- and four-room fl ats for the middle income, and larger fi ve-room and Executive fl ats for higher income households and extended families who want to stay together.

To meet rising aspirations, we have also involved private sector architects to design and build HDB projects. The result of this initiative has seen several innovations in public housing design. One premium design project, the Pinnacle@Duxton, comes with sky bridges on the 26th and 50th storeys connecting the seven blocks of the development. The project will bring many new and younger residents into Chinatown, and rejuvenate an older part of Singapore.

In 2005, HDB introduced the innovative Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) to provide HDB fl at buyers with more housing choices, and to make public housing more responsive to the needs and aspirations of a new generation of Singaporeans. Under the Scheme, the private sector is responsible for the entire public housing development process from bidding for the

Delivering the BestBuilt EnvironmentIn making quality and safety the hallmark of our construction industry, we actively encourage sustainable development and promote barrier-free accessibility in our built environment.

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Enhancing Building Safety

BCA ensures that the buildings in Singapore are designed, constructed and maintained to high standards of safety through its building regulatory system, and the regulation of excavation works, civil defence communal and household shelters, exterior features in buildings and outdoor advertisement signs. It also enforces regulations on dangerous buildings and unauthorised building works.

To further improve safety, the Building Control Act and Regulations have been strengthened to regulate deep excavations and to introduce supervision teams for structural works. A licensing scheme for builders and specialist builders will be introduced to ensure a required level of professionalism in the work done. In addition, an international panel of experts in building safety has been engaged to help review and improve the building control framework.

Promoting Quality Excellence

Over the years, BCA has helped to raise the quality of our built environment through

various initiatives. The initiatives were the implementation of the Construction Quality Assessment System (CONQUAS) and the Quality Mark scheme. CONQUAS was introduced in 1989 to measure the quality level achieved in completed projects and is now the de facto national standard for quality of workmanship in Singapore. The Quality Mark scheme, which assesses the workmanship of individual residential units, has also been successful, with more than 18,500 residential units committed to the scheme as at September 2007. In effect, these accomplishments represent a very signifi cant step towards the achievement of our goal of a high quality built environment in Singapore.

To build on these successes, BCA is stepping up on its efforts to promote the adoption of these quality schemes in a wider range of projects. It aims to equip the industry and practitioners with skills and expertise in the areas of construction quality and productivity as well as generate awareness among consumers of the quality systems in place.

Singapores built environment is known for its high safety standards, governed by a robust regulatory system and supported by the building and construction industry. MND works closely with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) to develop and promote a quality industry and deliver a safe, high quality, sustainable and friendly built environment for Singapore.

Championing Environmental Sustainability

While our city is going through some remarkable transformations, we must ensure that these developments are carried out in an environmentally sustainable manner. Singapore will develop an attractive and environmentally sustainable city through the use of green building technologies. The BCA Green Mark Scheme was launched in 2005 to promote the use of green building technologies and designs. The scheme also aims to raise environmental awareness among developers, designers and contractors, highlighting the long-term benefi ts, especially in the energy-saving capabilities, of BCA Green Mark buildings.

The public sector is leading by example in adopting the BCA Green Mark Scheme. To date, the new National Library Building, Republic Polytechnic, Nanyang Polytechnic, Tan Tock Seng Hospital and HDBs eco-precinct project at Punggol have received the top Platinum Green Mark award. BCA is also working closely with other relevant agencies to make their buildings Green Mark buildings. From 1 April 2007, all new

public sector buildings and existing ones undergoing major retrofi tting works have to be Green Mark certifi ed. Since January 2007, HDB has also made it mandatory for all new public housing developments to be Green Mark certifi ed.

BCA will intensify the promotion of the Green Mark Scheme and expand it to cover more building types. Marina Bay will be an important showcase of sustainable development as its iconic buildings have all been designed and constructed as exemplary Green Mark projects. The Sail @Marina Bay has obtained Green Mark Gold. The Singapore Flyer, the Marina Barrage, the Marina Bay Financial Centre, Marina Bay Sands integrated resort are also committed to the use of green building technologies.

In addition, MND is setting aside $20 million over the next three years for the Green Mark Incentive Scheme. Under this Scheme, new and retrofi tted buildings with a Gross Floor Area (GFA) of more than 5,000 m2 that achieve the Gold Green Mark award will be given a cash incentive of up to $3 per m2 of GFA, subject to a cap of $300,000, or 0.2% of the construction cost, whichever

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is lower. For those that achieve the top Platinum Green Mark rating, we will provide an incentive of up to $6 per m2 of GFA, subject to a cap of $3 million, or 0.4% of the construction cost, whichever is lower.

MND has also set aside $50 million over the next fi ve years for the new MND Research Fund for the Built Environment. The fund will be used for research and promoting Green Building technologies and energy effi ciency.

Enhancing Barrier Free Accessibility

Introduced in 1990, BCAs Code on Barrier-Free Accessibility makes our buildings more user-friendly for people with mobility diffi culties. BCA has recently reviewed the code together with our stakeholders to enhance the accessibility between buildings, and from buildings to nearby facilities. For private sector buildings, the Government

has set aside $40 million over the next fi ve years to co-fund voluntary upgrading on barrier-free accessibility. BCA is also putting in legislative measures to ensure continued compliance to the Code and to prevent the misuse of barrier-free facilities.

To make our built environment elderly-friendly and enable our elderly to age in place, BCA also promotes Universal Design (UD) for buildings. This involves designing a built environment to cater to the diverse needs of all users, including the young, the elderly, persons with disabilities and parents with infants. To recognise outstanding achievements by building developers and owners who embrace barrier-free accessibility and UD in their developments, BCA, in collaboration with the Singapore Institute of Architects and the Handicaps Welfare Association, has launched the Universal Design Award for Built Environment.

Transforming the Building and Construction Industry

To achieve our goal of an excellent built environment, the building and construction industry has to continually enhance its capabilities and know-how. BCA has put in place many schemes to improve and develop the industry, focusing, in particular, on developing the industrys skills and professionalism, design and construction capabilities, niche expertise and the export of construction-related services.

A Construction Registration of Tradesmen (CoreTrade) Scheme has been put in place to build up a localised core of trade foremen and tradesmen. In line with its emphasis to develop a professional workforce and promote adoption of innovative technologies, BCA has revamped its training institute, the Construction Industry Training Institute (CITI), into the BCA Academy of the Built Environment. The new Academy is a dedicated one-stop training, design and technology hub for the built environment. It will also have a gallery to showcase BCAs efforts and the industrys achievements.

A new business entity, BCA International, has been set up to drive the export of building and construction services. Our local companies will be able to offer high-value-added services and integrated solutions that are in demand overseas.

With the vibrant global and regional demand for construction, prices of basic construction materials have increased. BCA is working closely with the industry to turn this challenge into an opportunity. We are proactively exploring innovative technologies to enhance the supply resilience of materials and to mitigate any price impact due to the demand surge. Some of these measures include looking beyond our traditional supply sources of raw materials and adopting alternative construction methods and materials to reducethe demand for imported raw materials.

Singapore is undergoing an exciting transformation and our journey towards a world-class built environment requires close partnership among all the stakeholders - regulators, developers, building owners, designers and builders - who play a pivotal role in shaping the physical landscape of our future. Together, we will realise our shared vision of making Singapore a distinctive global city.

From Garden City to City in a GardenA lush green city is envisioned, with attractive new parks, verdant park connectors, as well as eye-catching vertical and high-rise greenery.

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Bringing Parks and Greenery to the People

NParks aims to bring parks and green spaces right to the doorsteps of peoples homes and workplaces. About 3,318 hectares of Singapores land space is devoted to parks, park connectors and open spaces. Of these, about 79 per cent, or more than 300 parks, come under NParks care. These parks include the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Fort Canning Park, East Coast Park, Bishan Park, Telok Blangah Park and Pulau Ubin Recreation Area. In addition, NParks manages 3,327 hectares of nature reserves such as the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Bukit Timah and the Central Catchment Nature Reserves.

A key element of the Garden City programme is its roadside greenery. The Streetscape Greenery Master Plan, a blueprint for optimising available green spaces along the roads for lush, densely planted treatments, guides our efforts to realise our City in a Garden vision.

Proactive Tree Management

The more than one million trees that NParks maintains are looked after by our internationally certifi ed Arborists. These specialists ensure that the trees are healthy and well-maintained by managing the inspection, pruning and felling of dead or diseased trees. They also give advice on the conservation of mature trees.

Majestic mature trees are the treasured natural heritage of Singapore. They serve as important green landmarks in our tropical Garden City and they help to create a sense of permanence and identity in the place we call home. Just like our Garden City, it takes decades and in some cases, more than hundreds of years, for these trees to mature gracefully in our landscape.

As Singapore progresses, there is a danger of losing these mature trees. The Heritage Trees Scheme was introduced in 2001 with the aim of conserving and educating the community on the importance of protecting our mature trees for our future generations. To date, more than 160 trees have been conserved as Heritage Trees. In addition, under the Parks and Trees Act, mature

Through decades of planning and cultivation, Singapore has earned the name of Garden City. As our city becomes more built-up, the continued planning for lush, landscaped spaces becomes all the more important as a relief from high-density, urban living. Through the National Parks Board (NParks), MND aims to develop and enhance Singapores greenery and create a city that is nestled in an environment of trees, fl owers, parks and rich bio-diversity. NParks will also continue to promote responsible conservation and public awareness of Singapores natural heritage.

trees in two gazetted Tree Conservation Areas in central and eastern Singapore are safeguarded against unnecessary felling.

Building up the Park Connectors Network

The Park Connectors Network provides Singaporeans additional recreational areas for activities like jogging, in-line skating and cycling. The network optimises the use of otherwise fallow land, such as drainage reserves, foreshore and road reserves, by turning them into green corridors linking major parks and nature sites in Singapore.

Today, we have a total of more than 70 km of park connectors. A total of 200 km of parkconnectors is scheduled to be completed by 2012. Facilities such as lighting, rain shelters, communal nodes and keep-fi t stations will be provided in the new connectors.

More native species will also be planted to enhance the connectors, making them lush, nature corridors. For the more adventurous, mountain biking trails around the nature reserves are being planned. Linked to nearby parks, the trails will make the nature reserves more accessible to the public.

Revitalising the Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Singapore Botanic Gardens has been an integral part of Singapores heritage and development as a nation. It has contributed signifi cantly to Singapores transformation into a Garden City through its work in plant research, education and conservation. Spread over 63 hectares, and close to the centre of the city, the Gardens showcases many outstanding plant collections. Today, the Gardens is, more than ever, an iconic recreational spot in Singapore, offering some of the most beautiful, tranquil and luxuriantly landscaped grounds in the country. It welcomes both residents and visitors alike, ushering in about 3 million visits annually.

The Botanic Gardens is more than just a public park for recreation and leisure; it is internationally recognised as a leading institution of tropical botany and horticulture. Its Library and Herbarium collections (of over 600,000 dried and preserved specimens) serve as an important reference centre for research on the regions fl ora for botanists around the world.

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The Gardens embarked on a long term upgrading programme in 1990 to provide better public facilities and amenities. New attractions, such as the Ginger Garden, Evolution Garden, Coolhouse and the Childrens Garden are being added to keep this landmark of natures treasures a relevantand engaging attraction to future visitors.

Conserving our Natural Heritage

The 3,206-hectare Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Nature Reserves represent the last and only extensive pieces of Singapores primary and mature secondary forests. NParks carries out active management of these nature reserves through reforestation programmes, removal of invasive creepers (to ensure the regeneration of the forests native species), and by overseeing the overall health of these reserves.

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapores fi rst ASEAN Heritage Park, is located at the northwestern coast of the country. A site of international importance for migratory birds, it covers 130 hectares and was developed from vacated prawn farms into a nature park and bird sanctuary for both resident and migratory birds.

As the scientifi c authority on nature conservation, NParks ensures the health of the designated nature areas, including the gazetted nature reserves. It monitors and documents the bio-diversity of these nature areas which are conserved and promoted as wildlife sanctuaries as well as valuable resources for education and outdoor recreational activities.

Building Community Ownership

The greening of Singapore is a national endeavour requiring the close involvement and support of the whole community. NParks builds community ownership by enhancing lifestyle experiences in parks, promoting the appreciation of greenery and nurturing a culture of gardening in Singapore.

Through the Community in Bloom programme, NParks creates green awareness by involving the community in gardening projects to enhance their natural surroundings. To date, there are some 200 active gardening groups throughout Singapore. Gardens sprouting fl owers, herbs or even vegetables can be found in public and private estates, schools, as

well as public places such as hospitals. These gardens are tended by the respective residents, students, staff and volunteers at each location.

Other outreach programmes such as the Adopt-A-Park scheme and Park Watch scheme, allow volunteers to participate in various activities. These include guided walks and organising park activities. Cultural and artistic performances and other recreational events are also regularly organised to draw more people to the parks.

Another opportunity for community participation is the Garden City Fund project. Launched in 2003, the Fund aims to encourage the community to express their personal stake in sustaining the Garden City. While the Government will continue to fund basic green infrastructure, the Fund works in partnership with individuals and corporations to support and sustain specifi c Garden City initiatives.

Through these community partnerships, MND and NParks aim to preserve the beauty and heritage of Singapores natural environment and to sustain the Garden City for the benefi t of the future generations.

Developing Landscape Excellence

A well-developed landscape industry is vital to MNDs efforts to achieve our vision of a City in a Garden. To this end, NParks, through close partnership with the industry, has initiated a range of programmes focusing on raising skills standards through

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training, certifi cation, job redesign, and job re-creation.

The Landscape Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifi cations (WSQ) System is a joint initiative by NParks, Workforce DevelopmentAgency (WDA) and the Singapore Landscape Industry Council. It establishes national occupational standards for each landscape job function and maps out the skills progression pathways at each level. The training under Landscape WSQ leads to national qualifi cations that are recognised by all landscaping employers here.

NParks has set up the Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology (CUGE), a training institution to conduct courses for workers in the landscape industry at the technician, supervisory and managerial levels. The CUGE will be an avenue for workers to acquire skills which they can use in the course of their careers in the landscape sector.

Launching the Singapore Garden Festival

The biennial Singapore Garden Festival was launched in December 2006, bringing together award-winning international garden and fl oral designers to exhibit their creations alongside our local experts. The Festival aims to raise awareness and standards in the landscape industry while instilling an appreciation of gardening among Singaporeans.

Organised by NParks, the inaugural Singapore Garden Festival featured over 30 garden and fl oral displays, including 19 show gardens and 14 fl oral displays by 34 designers, as well as numerous orchid displays from 16 countries. The Festival, which occupied 2.3 hectares at the Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre, wowed over 200,000 visitors from Singapore and around the world.

Cultivating Gardens by the Bay

The jewel in our park development programme is our Gardens by the Bay project. Made up of three uniquely themed world-class gardens Gardens at Marina South, Gardens at Marina East and Gardens at Marina Centre the development will fan out across inter-connected waterways around Marina Bay. Located at the heart of Singapores new downtown, the three gardens, totaling 101 hectares, will be an integral part of Singapores City in a Garden vision.

To elicit the best designs from around the world, an international competition for the design of the master plan for the Gardens by the Bay was held. It attracted attention worldwide. After carefully poring through 70 entries submitted by 170 fi rms from 24 countries, two design teams Grant Associates and Gustafson Porter were selected as the winners in the master plan design competition for the Marina South garden and the Marina East garden respectively.

The Gardens at Marina South will focus on horticultural displays to showcase plants of economic importance in international trade, and their relevance to the daily lives of people in South East Asia. The Gardens at Marina East will comprise exciting aquatic gardens, interactive water features and food gardens. The Gardens at Marina Centre will be developed later, after the fi rst two gardens have taken shape.

Slated to be ready in phases from 2010, the Gardens by the Bay will provide a new dimension to Singapore, encapsulating our City in a Garden theme. These Gardens will provide colour, vibrancy and green space in which the best of our garden craftsmanship, horticultural displays and plant-based edutainment will be offered. It will capture the essence of Singapore as the premier Garden City; emphasising the lush, natural environment in which we live, work and play.

Eating Safely,Living WellConsistent with the high quality in living environment, Singapore maintains stringent standards for food safety.

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Maintaining Safe and Resilient Food Supply

AVA adopts a three-pronged approach to ensure an adequate and stable supply of food that is safe to eat. Firstly, through a diversifi cation strategy, food is brought in from as many sources as possible. Secondly, an integrated system of accreditation, inspection and testing is used to ensure that high food safety standards are met. Thirdly, local production is maximised through the adoption of modern, intensive farming systems.

As part of source diversifi cation, AVA proactively identifi es and approves new food sources for importers to tap into. Through its Agri-Food Business Clusters, AVA partners the agri-industry leaders in conducting joint trade missions to explore new sources and investment opportunities in food production for local importers.

To help develop new sources of food, AVA also undertakes technology transfer. An example of this is the vegetable project in Riau, Indonesia. Through the successful transfer of a leafy vegetable production technology to Riau and the establishment of a cold chain logistics for the transport of Riau vegetables to Singapore, we have added a new source of leafy vegetables.

To ensure the safety of our food supply, AVA has in place a comprehensive and internationally recognised veterinary public health system that involves the regular review of production systems and practices at source, the labelling of food imports for traceability and recall, inspection of imported food, rigorous pre- and post-slaughter inspection of imported livestock, the licensing and inspection of local food establishments and farms, and the sampling and laboratory testing of imported and locally-produced/manufactured food.

Laboratory testing is a critical component of AVAs integrated system. The Veterinary Public Health Centre houses state-of-the-art laboratory testing facilities, including a certifi ed Biosafety Level 3 facility capable of detecting a wide range of food borne hazards. One of the laboratories also serves as the national centre for pesticide residue analysis.

Food safety is a tripartite responsibility of the Government, the food industry and the consumer. Even as AVA ensures that up-to-date regulatory measures are in place and properly enforced, the food industry must be responsible for the food it offers to the public. To inculcate the importance of self-regulation in the food industry, members

Singapore produces only a small proportion of its total food consumption. Thus, it is heavily dependent on food imports from all over the world. MND, through the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), ensures the safety and resilience of our food supply and safeguards the health of animals and plants through a science-based, risk management system that utilises advanced technology in agriculture, fi sheries, veterinary science and the life sciences.

in the industry are encouraged to adopt in-house food safety assurance programmes such as the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point System and AVAs Good Agricultural Practice scheme. Consumers also need to be aware of the food risks that exist, and the steps they can take to protect themselves. AVA brings food safety messages to Singapores consumers through road shows, advertisements and other activities under its Food Safety Public Education programme.

Safeguarding Animal and Plant Health

To protect the health of our animals and greenery, as well as Singapores public health against exotic pests and diseases, AVA implements comprehensive and science-based animal and plant health programmes. Our monitoring, surveillance, inspection, sampling and quarantine policies ensure that Singapore is secured against animal and plant health hazards.

Singapore has successfully kept out major animal and plant diseases such as Rabies, Bird Flu, Southern American Leaf Blight and Khapra beetles. Every consignment of animals, fi shes and plants imported into Singapore has to meet AVAs veterinary and plant health conditions, and has to be inspected and approved by AVA. Where

necessary, imports would also be subjected to the relevant quarantine requirements.

Singapores disease-free status is maintained through strict and comprehensive surveillance and the monitoring of imported and local population of animals and plants. This is supported by diagnostic testing conducted at the Animal and Plant Health Centre. The centre is the national reference laboratory for the diagnosis of animal and plant diseases and the testing of animal vaccines. Its state-of-the-art facilities and high standards enable Singapore to stay at the forefront of animal and plant disease control.

Keeping Out Bird Flu

As the world battles outbreaks of bird fl u, Singapore remains free of the disease through AVAs multi-layered defence strategy. These include import control, where import of poultry, birds and avian products from affected sources are prohibited; border control, involving strict border inspections of imports; local control, in which local poultry farms and poultry slaughter houses maintain high levels of bio-security and vigilance, and all at-risk birds at the bird park and zoo are vaccinated; and surveillance and monitoring,

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which covers checks on imported live poultry and birds, poultry and birds in our local farms, wild migratory birds in our local reserves as well as dead wild birds.

To prepare for the event of a bird fl u outbreak in Singapore, AVA has drawn up contingency plans, which are aimed at facilitating the rapid eradication of the disease to prevent its spread. AVA also conducts regular exercises, which may involve other relevant Government agencies, to test and refi ne these plans.

AVA not only puts in place pro-active and risk-based measures within Singapore, it has also adopted strategies that extend beyond our shores. AVA has actively invested in strategic partnerships with neighbouring countries, ASEAN and international organisations. Such initiatives include working with ASEAN countries through the ASEAN HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Infl uenza) Taskforce to achieve a coordinated regional approach for bird fl u control with prompt reports of disease outbreaks.

Developing Agro-technology

Agro-technology enables farms to maximise their output from limited land and manpower. Six Agro-technology Parks that house modern farms producing high-value agricultural products have been built in Sungei Tengah, Murai, Loyang, Mandai, Nee Soon and Lim Chu Kang.

An Agri-Bio Park, which has also been built in Lim Chu Kang, houses a cluster of agri-biotechnology companies undertaking R&D and production of agri-biotechnology products such as vaccines, biologics, diagnostic kits for animal and plant diseases, disease-resistant plants, insect-resistant plants and bio-pesticides.

Spearheading Research & Development

Leading edge R&D provides Singapore with a competitive edge in the agri-business as well as in agricultural consultancy and services. AVA undertakes R&D on agro-technology by working with the private sector, various tertiary institutions and agencies. Projects include pilot deep-sea net-cage fi sh farming, quality enhancement of ornamental fi sh for export, post-harvest and packaging of leafy vegetables, and the evaluation of orchid hybrids.

AVAs Marine Aquaculture Centre at St Johns Island was opened in 2003 to develop tropical marine food fi sh aquaculture technology. Its major programmes are large-scale fi sh hatchery and farming technology. Its special R&D facilities, comprising spawning tank systems, live food micro-organism culture systems, large-scale hatchery and seawater re-use system, are the fi rst of its kind in the region.

Regulating International Trade

AVA also regulates trade in wildlife, wildlife parts and related products by enforcing the provisions under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Upholding High Standards in Food Safety

To enable Singaporeans to enjoy high quality, safe and wholesome produce, MND and AVA will continue to keep track of changing global trends, and review and update its food safety system. Efforts to diversify food sources will be stepped up. To deal with new and emerging animal and plant diseases, AVA will continue to improve on its expertise, infrastructure and facilities, and strengthen legislation, surveillance and monitoring systems. Consultancy and diagnostic services to farms will be promoted with the use of e-commerce to improve the accessibility of AVAs services both locally and regionally.

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