Ensuring Liveability for All

Understanding the needs of Singapore’s residents and businesses, we partnered with the built environment industry to shape green spaces while improving liveability and accessibility. Together, we aim to create an inclusive and sustainable built environment where people can live, work and thrive.

Shaping a Greener Built Environment

After introducing the Singapore Green Building Masterplan (SGBMP) in 2021, which aims to deliver the three key targets of “80-80-80 in 2030”, BCA has progressively implemented several initiatives to support these outcomes, while striving to decarbonise our built environment (BE).

1^st SGBMP Key Outcome	2^nd SGBMP Key Outcome	3^rd SGBMP Key Outcome
80% of Singapore’s Buildings to be Green by GFA by 2030	80% of New Developments by GFA to be Super Low Energy (SLE) Buildings from 2030	80% Improvement in Energy Efficiency over 2005 Levels for Best-In-Class Green Buildings by 2030
As of the end of 2022
Approximately 55% of Singapore’s buildings by gross floor area (GFA) have been greened. To further improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings, BCA launched the enhanced $63 million Green Mark Incentive Scheme for Existing Buildings 2.0 (GMIS-EB 2.0). Aimed at helping building owners achieve higher energy performance standards – such as Platinum, Super Low Energy and Zero Energy ratings for their properties – this scheme is available from 30 June 2022 until the allotted funds have been fully committed or 31 March 2027 (whichever is earlier).	Nearly 20% of new developments by GFA in 2022 are SLE buildings. Under the GreenGov.SG initiative, the government will continue to take the lead in making SLE buildings mainstream. To achieve this, all new and existing government buildings undergoing major retrofitting must achieve Green Mark Platinum SLE standard or equivalent, where feasible. To drive adoption of SLE standards, BCA has raised the sustainability standards for projects developed on land sold under the Government Land Sales (GLS) programme. Additionally, we introduced the BE Transformation Bonus GFA Scheme. These measures collectively contribute to accelerating the pace of SLE adoption in private developments.	The best-in-class buildings had achieved a 71% improvement in energy efficiency compared to 2005 levels. To further advance energy efficiency in buildings, BCA launched the $45 million Green Buildings Innovation Cluster (GBIC) 2.0 programme. This initiative currently focuses on developing alternative cooling technologies like Passive Displacement Cooling, data-driven smart buildings solutions and hybrid ventilation. The GBIC 2.0 programme also supports building owners, developers and their value chain to scale up adoption of innovative technological solutions through commercialisation and deployment. BCA also collaborated with both local and international innovation communities to retrofit our Zero Energy Building (ZEB) at BCA Braddell Campus to “ZEB Plus” – a positive energy building that produces at least 20% more energy than it consumes.

1^st
SGBMP Key Outcome

2^nd
SGBMP Key Outcome

3^rd
SGBMP Key Outcome

80% of Singapore’s Buildings to be Green by GFA by 2030

80% of New Developments by GFA to be Super Low Energy (SLE) Buildings from 2030

80% Improvement in Energy Efficiency over 2005 Levels for Best-In-Class Green Buildings by 2030

As of the end of 2022

Approximately 55% of Singapore’s buildings by gross floor area (GFA) have been greened. To further improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings, BCA launched the enhanced $63 million Green Mark Incentive Scheme for Existing Buildings 2.0 (GMIS-EB 2.0).

Aimed at helping building owners achieve higher energy performance standards – such as Platinum, Super Low Energy and Zero Energy ratings for their properties – this scheme is available from 30 June 2022 until the allotted funds have been fully committed or 31 March 2027 (whichever is earlier).

Nearly 20% of new developments by GFA in 2022 are SLE buildings. Under the GreenGov.SG initiative, the government will continue to take the lead in making SLE buildings mainstream. To achieve this, all new and existing government buildings undergoing major retrofitting must achieve Green Mark Platinum SLE standard or equivalent, where feasible.

To drive adoption of SLE standards, BCA has raised the sustainability standards for projects developed on land sold under the Government Land Sales (GLS) programme. Additionally, we introduced the BE Transformation Bonus GFA Scheme. These measures collectively contribute to accelerating the pace of SLE adoption in private developments.

The best-in-class buildings had achieved a 71% improvement in energy efficiency compared to 2005 levels. To further advance energy efficiency in buildings, BCA launched the $45 million Green Buildings Innovation Cluster (GBIC) 2.0 programme. This initiative currently focuses on developing alternative cooling technologies like Passive Displacement Cooling, data-driven smart buildings solutions and hybrid ventilation.

The GBIC 2.0 programme also supports building owners, developers and their value chain to scale up adoption of innovative technological solutions through commercialisation and deployment.

BCA also collaborated with both local and international innovation communities to retrofit our Zero Energy Building (ZEB) at BCA Braddell Campus to “ZEB Plus” – a positive energy building that produces at least 20% more energy than it consumes.

BCA, in collaboration with Keppel Land, published a case study on how Keppel Bay Tower was retrofitted and certified as the first Green Mark Platinum Zero Energy commercial building. Find out more here.

Transforming from Zero Energy to Positive Energy

The Zero Energy Building (ZEB) in BCA Braddell Campus was retrofitted to ZEB Plus, a positive energy building that generates more energy than what it consumes.

Generated at least 20% net surplus energy from on-site high‑efficiency solar PV panels.

Achieved 77% energy efficiency improvement compared to a typical office in 2005.

By adopting hybrid cooling, the building achieved cooling energy savings of 32%, without compromising the thermal comfort of its occupants.

Hybrid cooling — air-conditioning with fans — used in the ZEB Plus office.

BCA published the “ZEB Plus@BCA Braddell Campus” e-publication to share its experience on transforming a zero energy building to a positive energy building. Find out more here.

Strengthening Our Leadership in Green Buildings

In Singapore, many projects are progressively meeting higher Green Mark standards under the BCA Green Mark certification scheme.

As an internationally recognised scheme, BCA Green Mark certification continues to be popular overseas. Singapore’s Environmental Sustainability Design (ESD) consultants are engaged by overseas developers as sustainability consultants, and to facilitate application and assessment processes.

BCA conducted the inaugural Singapore-US Smart Cities Green Building Programme in September 2022 for participants from ASEAN countries. The programme outlined Singapore’s commitment towards combatting climate change. It aimed to enhance collaborative efforts among smart, sustainable cities within the ASEAN region and promote green building standards, industry practices and innovation.

Over FY2022, a total of 33 Green Mark contracts for assessment services were offered to overseas developers, an increase of 65% compared to FY2021.

Meanwhile, a total of 32 Singapore firms are involved in these projects as developers, architects, engineering consultants, specialists or ESD consultants.

Through the inaugural Singapore-US Smart Cities Green Building Programme, BCA also shared Singapore’s leadership in green buildings, while fostering connections and growth opportunities for local firms.

Over FY2022, a total of 33 Green Mark contracts for assessment services were offered to overseas developers, an increase of 65% compared to FY2021.

Meanwhile, a total of 32 Singapore firms are involved in these projects as developers, architects, engineering consultants, specialists or ESD consultants.

Promoting Awareness of Strata Living Matters

BCA implemented a public awareness plan to reinforce the importance of good strata living. At the same time, we sought to help stakeholders gain a better understanding of their roles and responsibilities as well as what they can expect from living within a strata community.

To support our efforts, we undertook various measures, such as publishing a Buyer’s Guide for potential condominium buyers (top), providing an info-pack for new condominium owners, and developing a series of Strata Management Guides for Management Corporations and Strata Owners (bottom).

To support our efforts, we undertook various measures, such as publishing a Buyer’s Guide for potential condominium buyers (left), providing an info-pack for new condominium owners, and developing a series of Strata Management Guides for Management Corporations and Strata Owners (top).

Improving Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)

To foster greater inclusiveness in society, BCA is committed to enhancing the accessibility of buildings and infrastructure for people of all ages and abilities. Since the launch of the Accessible City Network (ACN), we have worked closely with community partners to co-implement and oversee the gradual completion of accessibility improvement works at Raffles Place for PwDs.

We also rolled out the enhanced Accessibility Fund (AF) that offers support to owners of existing buildings to retrofit their premises with Universal Design (UD) features. To promote the AF, we carried out targeted outreach efforts with industry stakeholders, such as building owners, Qualified Persons, and business associations.

In September 2022, BCA implemented the Universal Design index (UDi) self-assessment framework, which provides guidance for developers and designers on the adoption of UD in their projects. To recognise exemplary projects and outstanding efforts by the industry, BCA conferred the Universal Design Excellence Awards (UDEA) to four projects in November 2022.

At Raffles Place, our partners - representatives from the PwDs community, built environment sector, public and social service agencies - held workshops and site surveys to co-create solutions, and engaged developers and building owners on incorporating accessibility improvements.

Enhancing Safety across the Built Environment

Embracing Our People and Planet

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) champions the development and transformation of the built environment sector, in order to improve Singapore’s living environment. BCA oversees areas such as safety, quality, inclusiveness, sustainability and productivity, all of which, together with our stakeholders and partners, help to achieve our mission to transform the Built Environment sector and shape a liveable and smart built environment for Singapore.

Chapter 3