Facilitating for the people

The organic nature of planning and facilitating the physical development of Singapore is a dynamic process and has to be reviewed on a continuous basis. The physical development must keep up with the changing economic, social and operating landscape. Outdated norms must be discarded and new standards established. In this regard, URA has done an excellent job, with the ongoing reviews of DC guidelines. As the operating environment matures, as the professionals gain more experience and knowledge, DC should become more simplified, more descriptive and performance-based, rather than being prescriptive.

Facilitating with the people

To ensure that the guidelines are implementable and meet changing demands, periodic reviews must involve those who implement them and those who use the final product. To this, I am happy to say that annual dialogues between URA and professional bodies like the SIA, Singapore Institute of Planners and the Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore, have been institutionalised. These dialogues, at both working and policy levels, serve as a useful and effective channel for the fostering of mutual understanding, as well as for garnering feedback, and tapping the know-how and resources of the private sector. They should continue so that DC will facilitate rather than stifle developments.

A recent initiative by URA aims to bring this collaborative effort in reviewing guidelines with the private sector even further. URA held the first POWER (Public Officers Working to Eliminate Red Tape) session in January 2002 to seek feedback and ideas from users to remove or improve existing rules on industrial, warehouse and business park developments. The session had led to the lifting of floor-to-floor height control for these developments. The basement guidelines, earthworks and retaining walls for such developments were also relaxed and lifted. These revisions were indeed a welcome move as they offer greater design flexibility.

In my opinion, POWER is truly a quantum leap from the conventional way of review. By allowing participants to gain a better insight into the thinking and rationale for the guidelines, it clearly demonstrates the transparency of policy formulation. Through open discussions, deliberation and free exchange of ideas, the users of DC guidelines - regardless of professionals, entreprenuers, consultants or laypersons - are invited to recommend measures for guidelines which are no longer relevant.

The road ahead

Singapore is recognised by many to be one of the most liveable cities in the world. The DC guidelines have in their own small ways, contributed to our city's reputable success. Guidelines, in general, are put in place to ensure that developments are implemented within certain acceptable standards, and are therefore fundamentally necessary. On the other hand, the tighter the guidelines, the less room there is for the manifestation of architectural creativity. The key here is to strike a balance between the need for controls and flexibility in the interest of creativity. The right balance is a necessary ingredient for the creation of a distinctive and memorable city.

URA has done a good job of listening to the various sectors and balancing the competiting needs of Singapore. At the same time, they are facilitating new developments, encouraging distinctive and innovative architecture, and changing rules where appropriate. The challenge is for the public, private and people sector to continue this ongoing conversation with one another and to work closely together with URA to achieve the best environment for Singapore. Policy makers, professionals, developers and users must share the common vision of making Singapore a great place to live, work and play. We must instill in us a shared value and mindset of what is best for the environment. We must all strive to work for the betterment of Singapore.

About the writer: Mr John Ting is the President of the Singapore Institute of Architects. He is currently serving on various Statutory Boards and Government bodies. Mr Ting is actively involved in architectural education, through lecturing and in advisory capacity at various institutions of higher learning.

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