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Circulars

Guidelines for Underground Pedestrian Links to Rapid Transit System (RTS) Stations

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General

16 May 2001

Circular No : URA/PB/2001/13-CUDD

Our Ref : DC 602/11-12

PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES

Effective Date:
16 May 2001

URA is pleased to release a set of guidelines to encourage the development of more direct subterranean connections to the RTS stations.
These connections are to incorporate activity-generating uses, like shops and eating establishments, along one or both sides of the underground pedestrian walkway linking to the RTS station. See Appendix 1 for the maximum allowable dimensions for the underground pedestrian walkway and the activity-generating uses.
These connections are to be directly accessible from public areas, disabled-friendly and kept open throughout the operating hours of the RTS.
The current practice of exempting the floor area of public walkways from the Gross Floor Area (GFA) computation still applies subject to the proposal's compliance with the criteria set out. See Appendix 2 for the detailed guidelines.
The GFA for activity-generating uses within the underground pedestrian link can be computed over and above the Master Plan allowable GFA for the existing development. However, this additional GFA is not transferable and should not form the future development potential of the site on redevelopment. The additional GFA will be subject to Development Charge or Differential Premium where applicable.
The proposed underground pedestrian link to the RTS station will be subject to the requirements of other relevant authorities like the Land Transport Authority, Land Office, Public Utilities Board (Drainage Department) and Fire Safety Bureau.
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 call our DCD Customer Service Hotline at Tel: 223 4811 or e-mail us at URA_CSO@ura.gov.sg. We would 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.

Thank You.

FOO CHEE SEE
DIRECTOR (DEVELOPMENT CONTROL)
for CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Appendix 1

Illustration of underground pedestrian links

Appendix 2

GUIDELINES FOR UNDERGROUND PEDESTRIAN LINKS TO RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM (RTS) STATIONS

NO.	PARAMETER	UNDERGROUND PEDESTRIAN LINKS
1	Definition	An underground pedestrian link is a subterranean connection that links directly between all existing or future RTS stations, and nearby private developments. The underground pedestrian link should form part of the public circulation network, be disabled-friendly and directly accessible from common public areas during the operating hours of the RTS.
2	Locations	Potential locations for the construction of underground pedestrian links include basement level connections between existing or future RTS stations and adjacent developments.
3	Use	In addition to serving as linkages, underground pedestrian links are to incorporate activity-generating uses, e.g. retail and eating outlets, along one or both sides of the walkways.
4	Size	The underground pedestrian link will have a clear pedestrian walkway width of: Between 6m – 7m for walkway with single-loaded uses; or 7m for walkway with double-loaded uses. In addition, the walkway will have a clear minimum ceiling height of 4m. Activity-generating uses can be allowed up to a maximum total depth of 14m.
5	Gross Floor Area (GFA)	Owing to its function as public thoroughfare, the floor area of the underground pedestrian walkway can be exempted from the GFA computation subject to compliance with the criteria set out above. The floor area for activity-generating uses will still be computed as GFA, and can be computed over and above the Master Plan allowable or permissible GFA for the development. This incentive will allow developments which have already been built to their full permissible floor area to have additional commercial floor space. The GFA for this additional commercial space is not transferable and should not form the future development potential of the site on redevelopment. The additional GFA will be subject to payment of Development Charge (DC) or Differential Premium (DP) where applicable.
6	Submission Requirements	Properly annotated plans and sections showing the proposed underground pedestrian link in relation to the adjoining developments and nearby RTS station should be submitted. Since a proposed underground pedestrian link will occupy State land, the developer/owner must obtain Land Office’s endorsement for the submitted plans.