Property players that have successfully acquired Government Land Sales (GLS) sites in predominantly residential areas are required to inform residents within a 100m radius about their upcoming project, based on new Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) rules introduced in October 2013.
But instead of just disseminating information, some developers are putting more effort into it by soliciting for residents’ feedback.
For instance, GuocoLand organised a discussion and feedback session with residents living near its 2.3 hectare residential plot in Sims Drive which was bought in April 2014.
“Given the URA requirements, we decided to take the opportunity to ensure that when we do the project, it is something that people would like,” said a company spokesperson.
Although the project’s details were not tackled in the session, it was used to “gather feedback, ideas and suggestions for consideration in our product development.”
GuocoLand has already conducted such sessions before, such as for its Goodwood Residence project in Bukit Timah Road, but this was the first time it had undertaken a public consultation on a larger scale.
“(This) helps us develop our product to better fit into the landscape of the existing location… (It) also allows us to engage the local communities such as schools and community clubs and support our corporate social responsibility efforts,” explained the spokesperson.
In particular, residents may advise developers on the timing of school sessions in the area so that the company can control the vehicles moving in and out of construction sites during rush hours, said Century 21’s CEO Ku Swee Yong.
“But, of course, given the state of the market, a developer needs to do even more public outreach — to get to know a neighbourhood and tell them to watch out for a new development.”
“It might be something (the residents) could be interested in,” he added.
Muneerah Bee, Senior Journalist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact her about this or other stories email muneerah@propertyguru.com.sg
