Height limit of Singapore buildings near airports under review; move could increase housing supply
The changes, which kick in globally in August, could affect properties near Singapore’s airports and air bases from Changi to Tengah
[SINGAPORE] The government is reviewing Singapore’s height limits for buildings near airports, a move that could free up more space for both residential and commercial developments, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat announced on Thursday (May 22).
“This would allow buildings in different areas across Singapore to be built higher, potentially up to 15 storeys more for residential buildings, and up to nine storeys more for industrial and commercial buildings,” he said.
Singapore has two airports in Changi and Seletar; and military airbases in Paya Lebar, Sembawang, Changi and Tengah. Areas near Changi Airport include Pasir Ris, Tampines, Simei, Bedok, Eunos and East Coast Park. Seletar Airport is near Seletar, Yishun, Ang Mo Kio and Yio Chu Kang.
Height restriction requirements around airports are being revised after a review by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). Changes take effect internationally from August, Chee said. The ICAO initiated the review in 2015.
The review aims to free up more airspace for developments, while ensuring aviation safety, said Chee, who was speaking at the annual Singapore Business Awards, organised by The Business Times and logistics company DHL.
“The existing requirements were set in the 1950s. Since then, there have been technological advancements in aircraft and air navigation systems,” he said.
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CAAS noted that modern aircraft can operate “more precisely in lesser airspace”, potentially freeing up more airspace for other uses.
BT understands that aviation height restrictions are one among many factors that determine the allowable building heights in Singapore. Other factors include infrastructure capacity to support developments and urban planning considerations to achieve a good living environment.
A report by the Centre for Liveable Cities published in 2019 noted that in Tampines, building heights are capped at 12 to 14 storeys.
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While more studies need to be done to confirm the increase in height restrictions in Singapore, the change will “support further land intensification, which is very important because Singapore is land-scarce”. The “achievable benefits” will depend on other infrastructure and planning considerations.
“It could open up new opportunities for our businesses and have the potential to increase overall housing supply that will benefit more Singaporeans,” said Chee.
The height limit review is one of several areas identified for improvement under the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Pro-Enterprise rules review led by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, said Chee, who is slated to be minister for national development in the new Cabinet line-up. Chee succeeds Desmond Lee, who will helm the education ministry.
In his speech, Chee shared other rules-review initiatives from the Ministry of Transport that would ease processes and help cut business costs in the land and sea sectors.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will streamline the application and approval process for developers and contractors working on public and private projects.
LTA will also expand its existing vehicle parking proposal and plans lodgement scheme to include additions and alteration works in residential, commercial and mixed development car parks. These works made up more than half the applications submitted to the authority last year.
“Works can now commence immediately upon lodgement, instead of having to wait for at least three weeks previously to obtain application approval,” said Chee.
In the sea transport sector, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has introduced several measures, including waiving the need for security deposits and banker’s guarantees for billing parties who are assessed to be of lower credit risk, as well as night movement of lined towed barges at Pasir Panjang Terminal.
MPA also developed a digital twin of the Port of Singapore, enabling dynamic monitoring of key activities and data such as vessel movements, port activities and weather conditions.
“Shipping companies can now benefit from real-time visibility of port traffic and operations and take steps to reduce their waiting times and operating costs,” said Chee.
Tapping data from agencies like Singapore Land Authority, the digital tool enables MPA to do a three-dimensional mapping of the seabed.
“This would allow businesses to better optimise the installation and routing of underwater cables by avoiding obstacles and potential risks such as damaging other existing cables,” he added.
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