市建局将开展计划 打造翠绿都市和空中绿意

Source : 《联合早报》Apr 30, 2009

新加坡寸土如金，高楼林立，为鼓励发展商开辟更多高楼绿色空间让人民享受，市区重建局将在刚出台的永续新加坡发展蓝图下，展开“打造翠绿都市和空中绿意”计划。

这项全新的“打造翠绿都市和空中绿意”（Landscaping for Urban Space and High Rises，简称LUSH）计划及永续蓝图的最终目标是，要在2030年前增添50公顷或相等于约一个碧山公园的空中花园，包括建屋发展局接下来三年在组屋区多层停车场屋顶上添设的九公顷公园，让每1000人可享有0.8公顷公园空间。

打造翠绿都市和空中绿意计划将使未来的滨海湾充满更多绿意。（市建局构想图）

新计划将推出两个崭新措施和两个修订措施，以进行更多高楼绿化的工作，进一步巩固我国花园城市的美誉，也朝建立“花园里的城市”的目标迈进。

从今年12月1日起，部分新建筑项目和重建项目的绿化面积，须等同于发展地段的大小。发展商可选择在地面楼层提供绿色空间，或在更高楼层开辟空中花园、植物槽等等。

更具体的说，所有在市区、滨海湾区、裕廊湖区和加冷河畔建起的新建筑物，都须有相等于建筑物总面积的空中花园和地面花园。2008年新加坡发展总蓝图重点之一的巴耶利峇中心，则不受这项新措施影响。

市建局城市规划与设计高级署长范秀玲昨天在记者会上宣布新计划后受访时说，当局将先在以上特定地方推行措施，然后进行检讨，才决定是否也要在其他地区推行。

市区乌节路建筑物 可获绿化屋顶津贴

此外，该局将从即日起，为市区和乌节路的现有建筑物业主提供绿化屋顶津贴。业主将享有多达50%屋顶面积或最多200平方公尺的额外可建筑面积，可用来开辟屋顶空中花园户外用餐区。

另一方面，为进一步推动绿化屋顶工程，国家公园局将在今年9月拨出800万元推出另一项实验性津贴计划，未来三年资助业主高达一半或最多每平方公尺75元的绿化屋顶费用。

绿化费用一般介于每平方公尺150元至180元。

除了上述新措施，市建局也修订现有两项措施，让新加坡的湛蓝天空挂上翠绿彩带。

自1997年起，有盖“天空廊道”（sky terrace）的楼面，可豁免纳入可建筑面积内。至今已有超过100个发展项目受惠。

不过，为鼓励发展商更积极地展开高楼绿化工作，市建局现在放宽建筑高度限制，允许发展商建更高的大楼。发展商所提呈的建筑蓝图，也须包括更多有关廊道绿化设计的细节。

市建局发展管制高级署长韩荣和指出，打从一开始就将绿化概念融入设计蓝图，可减少日后的建筑和技术问题，省时省事。

另外，市建局自2004年起让建筑业者在建筑底层建造“绿化层”（landscape deck）。所谓绿化层，是从地面凸起的平台，上面用来建造楼房或提供公共设施，下面是停车场。

在新计划下，市建局将加强绿化层的绿化工作。绿化层四周的至少60%面积，需有植物覆盖。

市建局局长蔡君炫说：“绿化新加坡的工程已见成效，我们正在通过展开高楼绿化工程以加快绿化步伐。我们希望更多居民，可享受一个绿意盎然的居住和工作环境。”

Expect False Starts And Slow Recovery

Source : The Straits Times, April 30, 2009

Flu crisis and sub-par growth worldwide add to economic risk: MAS

THE most intense phase of Singapore's recession may be over, but the economy is not going to bounce back to full health any time soon.

Instead, the recovery will be 'slow, gradual and fraught with uncertainties', unlike the quicker rebounds that followed previous downturns, said the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) yesterday.

Singapore, with its high dependence on external markets, is among the nations worst hit by the global downturn, with the economy expected to contract by between 6 per cent and 9 per cent this year. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN

The central bank said in its latest Macroeconomic Review, a twice-yearly survey of the economy, that the worst economic contractions probably took place in the last quarter of last year and the first quarter of this year. The economy logged record quarter-on-quarter declines in both quarters, of 16.4 per cent and 19.7 per cent respectively.

But the MAS stopped short of saying that the worst is over or that the recession has bottomed out. Private-sector economists say that although the worst is likely behind us, the economy could continue to contract in the months ahead, although the declines will not be as severe.

The MAS warned yesterday that despite recent signs of a slight increase in economic activity around the world, the major economies are still 'mired in an extended period of sub-par growth' and Singapore's growth is likely to remain 'below potential' as long as that lasts.

The new scare over swine flu, which has eerie echoes of the economically painful Sars period, has also added 'a new dimension of risk to the outlook', it said.

Job losses are expected to rise further across most sectors as companies adjust to the new lower levels of demand. The MAS expects that by the end of the year, net unemployment excluding construction will likely surpass that recorded in the 1998 Asian financial crisis and the 2001 global tech bust. Compared to those recessions, the current downturn is the deepest and one of the longest, and stands out in being more broad-based than previous contractions, it said.

It added that while some green shoots have emerged in the form of new manufacturing orders and stock market rallies, these could turn out to be 'false starts'.

The purchasing managers' indexes in Singapore and around the world have indicated that manufacturing will pick up slightly, but this could simply be due to inventory restocking rather than a return of true demand, said the MAS.

Any rises in Singapore's stock market are also more likely to be 'bear rallies' rather than sustained recoveries.

Singapore, with its high dependence on external markets, is among the nations worst hit by the global downturn, with the economy expected to contract by between 6 per cent and 9 per cent this year. But the same openness will 'enable it to pick up strongly when the global recovery finally gets under way', said the MAS.

Citigroup economist Kit Wei Zheng said yesterday that the MAS' comments on the economy held 'no big surprises'.

'One of the things that came out quite clearly is that the recovery is going to be very slow and the economy will be going through a period of sub-par growth spanning a wide range of industries,' he said.

'The bottom line is: the worst of the labour market may not be over yet and we could see more unemployment pain in the months to come.'

But Credit Suisse economist Joseph Tan noted that there are some 'surprise factors' that could change the outlook for the economy. The main one is China, which is proving surprisingly resilient in its manufacturing, investment and retail sales numbers, he said. That could potentially help economies in the region do better than expected.

Singapore Is Asia's Most Liveable City

Source : The Straits Times, April 29, 2009

It also boasts best infrastructure in the world: Survey

SINGAPORE has risen six places in a global ranking of cities with the highest quality of living, overtaking cities such as Paris in France and Honolulu and San Francisco in the United States.

The other factor that contributed to Singapore's higher ranking is the presence of 'many good schools' in the city.

At 26th place, the Republic also surpassed all its Asian neighbours to be the region's best performer in the latest Worldwide Quality of Living Survey by human resource consultancy Mercer.

As the icing on the cake, Singapore also topped Mercer's list of cities with the best infrastructure in the world. It proved superior in various areas, including electricity and water supply, telephone and mail services, public transport, traffic congestion and range of international flights from local airports.

Although it is often taken for granted, infrastructure 'has a significant effect on the quality of living experienced by expatriates', said Ms Cathy Loose, Mercer's Asia Pacific global mobility leader.

The development of Marina Bay and Sentosa Cove as new waterfront living areas appear to have boosted Singapore's position in the rankings.

'Singapore already has excellent housing, but now its new ocean-front and seafront living options have allowed the ranking to move even higher,' said Mr Derrick Kon, Mercer's Singapore global mobility leader.

He added that the 'high-quality houses and apartments' that are available for rent and the 'excellent selection of appliances and furniture' for residents definitely helped elevate Singapore's quality of life.

The other factor that contributed to Singapore's higher ranking is the presence of 'many good schools' in the city, said Mr Kon.

'Singapore has always had a lot of good schools and international schools, but now there are also more private schools offering university degrees,' he said.

'If expatriates come here with their children, this is one area they would be looking at, and in Singapore they would have a lot of options, with international programmes and university programmes.'

Singapore's strong position in quality of life rankings such as these could stand the nation in good stead in the current financial crisis, said Mr Mark Ellwood, managing director of Robert Walters, another human resource consultancy.

With companies looking to cut costs, many are reducing the number of international assignments and localising their expat compensation packages where possible, which means not giving out the 'hardship' allowances or benefits that are offered to expats who have to live in cities with a lower quality of life.

'There is perhaps less of an argument these days that Singapore is a hardship posting, so you don't have to give many expat benefits in terms of additional bells and whistles,' said Mr Ellwood.

Singapore is the only Asian city on the top 100 list that managed to increase its ranking this year, with the rest largely maintaining their previous positions.

China's capital, Beijing, moved up three places from 116 to 113 due to public transport improvements stemming from the Olympic Games last year, but Bangkok in Thailand and Mumbai in India both dropped in the rankings amid worsened stability and security.

Globally, the Austrian city of Vienna overtook Switzerland's Zurich to boast the best quality of life this year. European cities continued to dominate the top positions in the ranking, amid a sprinkling of Canadian and American cities.

Mercer publishes this list annually to help multinational companies determine an appropriate amount of compensation for expatriates sent to work in difficult locations.

Huge Demand For Flats At The Peak

Source : The Straits Times, April 29, 2009

DEMAND for flats at The Peak @ Toa Payoh, a condo-like public housing, has been overwhelming.

When the developer closed its office at 6pm yesterday, there were already 2,900 applications for the 1,203-unit project.

This means there were roughly five applications for every two units. The final number might even be higher as electronic applications closed only at midnight last night.

The project at Lorong 1A Toa Payoh comes under the design, build and sell scheme (DBSS), and offers premium condo-like fittings.

This project by a Hoi Hup-led consortium is being sold by ballot. Unlike private condominiums, these projects do not have facilities such as swimming pools and gymnasiums.

Observers say the demand is surprising given that for the same price, buyers are spoilt for choice in the current lacklustre market.

URA, NParks Introduce Schemes To Promote More Sky Gardens In S'pore

Source : Channel NewsAsia, 29 April 2009

Singapore developers will enjoy new incentives to include skyrise greenery in their projects.

Highrise buildings at the financial district of Singapore

The government wants to see more sky terraces and rooftop gardens, as part of a multi-billion dollar sustainable development blueprint for Singapore for the next 20 years.

The initiative is known as Landscaping for Urban Spaces and High-rises (LUSH).

Fun Siew Leng, group director of Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), said: "A lot of people place premium on having greenery at their doorstep. And it doesn't mean that by going high-rise you don't have access to greenery.

"So, one of these ways is to encourage and require more greenery to be built in the development itself, either at the ground level or even at the upper levels."

Come December 1 this year, new projects and re-developments within the central business district, Kallang Riverside and Jurong Gateway areas will be required to have green landscape at least equivalent in size to the development site area.

These can include ground floor landscape areas, as well as roof gardens and sky terraces. As a guide, 40 per cent of these areas are to consist of permanent planting.

Developers will also be given additional gross floor area of up to 200 square metres of roof space or 50 per cent, whichever is lower, for greening their rooftops for use such as outdoor refreshment areas.

This will be allowed over and above the Master Plan maximum allowable gross floor area for the site.

And it is not just new buildings that will stand to benefit from the initiative. NParks is introducing a pilot scheme later this year to encourage existing building owners to green-up their roof tops.

NParks is spending S$8 million over the next three years in cash incentives to co-fund up to half the cost of installing green roofs.

A green roof is defined as a lightweight growing system, which requires a proper selection of plant material for easy maintenance. The cost of installing a square metre of green roof typically ranges from S$150 to S$180.

"There are also benefits in reduction of heat as well. The green roof reduces the heat load going into the building as well as the ambient temperature of the roof itself," said Simon Longman, director of National Parks Board.

So far, there are more than 100 developments in Singapore with approved sky terraces.

NParks will start giving out the cash incentives in September 2009.

NParks plans to transform some 9 hectares of existing rooftops into green roofs over the next three years.

The URA is targeting to add 50 hectares of skyrise greenery by 2030. - CNA /ls