More ‘sky gardens’ are expected to rise in Singapore, especially on areas like Raffles Place, Orchard Road and along Singapore River.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) launched yesterday the rooftop landscaping programme for new developments in several areas of Singapore starting December.
The said programme takes the form of sky terraces, planter boxes and rooftop gardens on high rising buildings. Developers are also encouraged to landscape the lower grounds.
Areas in the Downtown Core is affected by the new ruling which encompasses Marina Centre, Shenton Way and Raffles Place along the Jurong Gateway, the next commercial hub in the west side, and Kallang River.
Those areas on business district as well as on the Orchard Road are now allowed to have outdoor refreshment areas at the rooftops. To implement such plan, at least 200 square metres or half the roof will be allotted to them as an additional gross floor area.
The scheme is in connection with the programme launched on Monday by URA and Building Construction Authority (BCA). Under the programme, private buildings with eco-friendly roofs will be given bonus gross floor area.
Landscaping for Urban Spaces and High-Rises (Lush) programme is the recently introduced URA scheme, which is included in the national sustainability blueprint, which the inter-ministerial committee launched last Monday.
The blueprint sets a national target for green areas, pollution standards and energy usage for the next 20 years. It also aims to have a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly nation.
Other than the Lush programme, an $8 million fund was also announced yesterday by the National Parks Board (NParks). The fund is intended to allow developers to construct on already existing buildings some rooftop gardens.
Starting September, the said fund will cover the landscaping costs of up to $75 per square metre, around half of the $150–$180 per square metre that garden companies usually charge.
Announcing the scheme yesterday, the URA claimed that as Singapore is becoming more built up, the private developers must see the importance of developing greenery roof in buildings.
As a response, developers welcomed the URA programme but suggested to enhance the scheme as the URA affirmed that in this programme, the standard development charges (DC) will be employed. The rate of DC is reduced at 70 percent of the improved land value of the building.
City Developments Managing Director Kwek Leng Joo believed that they need to grapple with the additional expenses while the developers utilise the additional area.
“We would suggest that the DC rate be pegged at the previous rate of 50 percent instead of the current 70 percent, which most developers find too high. This could make the incentive more attractive and effective to help the policy take off quickly,” Mr. Kwek said.