Objectives

1. To guide the development of sites within the Orchard Planning Area (Appendix 1).

2. All new developments and existing buildings undergoing major or minor refurbishment are required to comply with the following set of guidelines.

Details of Guidelines

3. Urban Design Guidelines for Orchard Road were first published in 4 Feb 2002 following a joint STB / URA exhibition, “Making Orchard Road More Happening!”, which was held in April 2001 to gather public and stakeholder feedback on proposals to enhance Orchard Road. Subsequently, some of the guidelines, e.g. Urban Verandahs, 2^nd storey links and Underground Links, have been updated and revised to ensure that they remain relevant and pro-business.

4. Our latest review has focused on updating the pedestrian network plans and building form guidelines, taking into consideration recent new developments in Orchard Road as well as the upcoming Thomson Line MRT stations.

5. Planning parameters and urban design guidelines covered by this circular include land use, building height, building form, building edge, pedestrian network and vehicular access requirements. This document serves as a guide to provide an overview of the general requirements for development in the area. For specific sites, where necessary, additional guidelines may be issued. The guidelines below do not supersede the detailed guidelines issued, or the approved plans for developments for specific sites. The guidelines are attached in Annex A.

6. External circulars referenced to in this circular, are updated regularly. Please check the relevant circulars on URA’s website for the prevailing version. This circular supersedes the Urban Design (UD) Plans and Guidelines for the Orchard Planning Area released on 4 Feb 2002.

Submission and Evaluation Process

7. All development proposals are to be submitted formally to URA’s Development Control Group (DCG) for approval as part of the Development Application process.

8. I would appreciate it if you could convey the contents of this Circular to the relevant members of your organisation. If you or your members have any queries concerning this circular, please do not hesitate to contact our Urban Planning & Design Department (email: ura_upd_da_team@ura.gov.sg) or our Development Control Group (DCG) Enquiry Line at Tel: 6223 4811 (email: ura_dcd@ura.gov.sg). We will be pleased to answer queries on this, and any other development control matter. For your information, the past circulars to the professional institutes are available from our website http://www.ura.gov.sg.