REVIEW OF THE LANDSCAPE DECK GUIDELINES FOR RESIDENTIAL FLAT AND CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENTS

Circular No : URA/PB/2009/11-DCG

Our Ref : DC/ADMIN/CIRCULAR/PB_09

Fax : 6227 4792

CIRCULAR TO PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES

Who Should Know:
Qualified persons and developers

Effective Date:
With effect from 29 April 2009.
The existing initiatives, together with the new guidelines under LUSH 3.0, will expire on 9 November 2020.

Background

1. The landscape deck guidelines were first introduced on 05 April 2004 to facilitate an alternative building form aimed at improving the streetscape by concealing at-grade carparking spaces with a raised deck and the provision of landscaping on the deck and its edges.

2. Since the introduction of the guidelines, a number of residential developments have incorporated a landscape deck. Some of these developments had managed to add to the green relief along the road and at the same time, introduced substantial greenery within the development on the deck surface.

Details of Revised Guidelines

3. As part of URA’s LUSH (Landscaping for Urban Spaces & High-rises) programme to further reinforce the vision and objective of achieving a “greener” streetscape through the various urban greenery initiatives, we have made some refinements to the existing guidelines.

4. The provision of lush planting on the earth berms makes a significant difference to enhancing the greenery along the road and the immediate surrounding. Hence, all earth berms of a landscape deck would be required to be properly landscaped with trees or shrubs. In addition, the minimum 60% requirement for earth berm is to apply to each façade of the deck.

5. To enhance the visibility of the greenery provision along the roads as well as along the common boundaries, the boundary wall / fencing should be appropriately designed. Instead of a solid wall, a porous fence is encouraged so that the landscaping / planting on the earth berm on all facades, is visible from the street level. Solid walls are not encouraged (see Appendix 1 [PDF, 122.48 KB] ↗ (opens in new tab)).

Implementation

6. The revised guidelines on the landscape deck will take effect immediately and will have a validity period of 3 years, to be reviewed at the end of the validity period.

7. 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 DCG Enquiry Line at Tel: 6223 4811 or e-mail us at ura_dcd@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. ↗ (opens in new tab)

Thank You.

HAN YONG HOE
GROUP DIRECTOR (DEVELOPMENT CONTROL)
for CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY