Design Guidelines Waiver Committee (DGWC)

Circular No : URA/PB/2009/17-CUDG

Our Ref : DC/ADMIN/CIRCULAR/PB_09

Fax : 6220 3201

CIRCULAR TO PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES

Who Should Know:
Building owners, architects, engineers and developers

Effective Date:
With effect from 1 July 2009

Objective

1. To update on the change in the membership of the Design Guidelines Waiver Committee (DGWC).

2. The DGWC was formed in Oct 2000 as an independent committee comprising principally private architects. The main role of the DGWC is to evaluate special cases of high quality and innovative urban designs that may merit deviation from the design guidelines and standard development control requirements stipulated by URA. In so doing, we hope that innovative designs and architecture will flourish in Singapore, thus creating a unique and vibrant cityscape.

3. Please note that some issues would, however, be excluded from the purview of the DGWC as they relate to wider planning matters rather than design. These are listed in Appendix 1 below.

Members of the DGWC

4. The current members of the DGWC are:

Chairman    -  Mr Mok Wei Wei
                       Managing Director, W Architects

Members     - Mr Ashvinkumar s/o Kantilal 
                       President, Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) 
                       Director – Projects, Architects 61

                       Mr Look Boon Gee
                       Principal, LOOK Architects

                       Mr Tan Shao Yen
                       Senior Vice President (Building), CPG Consultants

                       Ms Yap Mong Lin
                       Principal, Yap Architects

                       Mdm Fun Siew Leng
                       Group Director (Urban Planning & Design)
                       Urban Redevelopment Authority

Secretary     - Mr Andrew David Fassam
                       Director (Urban Planning & Design, Urban Planning)
                       Urban Redevelopment Authority

5. The term of appointment for the members of the DGWC is from 1 Jul 2009 to 30 Jun 2011.

Submission Requirements For DGWC

6. To ensure that the DGWC considers only bona fide waiver requests, a request can only be made together with or after the applicant has submitted a development application to URA. If he wishes, an applicant may also submit a waiver request after he has received an official decision from URA, i.e. a Provisional Permission or Written Direction; but not after a Refusal of Written Permission is issued.

7. If the DGWC advises against the waiver request in whole or in part, the applicant may still submit an appeal to the Minister for National Development for his consideration as in the existing appeal process.

8. Waiver requests for DGWC’s consideration can be made on the form DC/DGWC (Appendix 2 [PDF, 187.02 KB]). The form is available at the Customer Service Centre, Urban Redevelopment Authority, 45 Maxwell Road, 1st storey, Tower, The URA Centre, Singapore 069118.

9. The submission procedure and detailed submission requirements are listed in the application form. Please note that all waiver requests for consideration by the DGWC must be accompanied by the requisite materials and information. These must be provided at the point of submission of the request through the URA plan submission counters at the Customer Service Centre, URA, failing which the waiver request will not be considered.

10. The work flow for the processing of waiver requests is shown in Appendix 3 [PDF, 125.31 KB]. The applicant will be informed within 6 weeks from the date of submission if he is required to brief the DGWC on his request. If a briefing is not required, the DGWC will proceed to deliberate the request.

11. Please note that each planning application is entitled to only one waiver request for deliberation by the DGWC, unless the DGWC requests for additional briefings/submissions while considering the waiver request. DGWC’s deliberation is applicable only to the specific waiver request submitted for its consideration and does not set the precedence for any other waiver requests or development applications.

12. This circular is superceded by Circular URA/PB/2011/11-CUDG dated 01 Sep 2011.

13. 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 Mr Andrew David Fassam at Tel: 6321 8127 (email: Andrew_David_FASSAM@ura.gov.sg), or our 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.

Thank You.

FUN SIEW LENG (MS)
GROUP DIRECTOR (URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN)
CONSERVATION & URBAN DESIGN GROUP
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Appendix 1

SCOPE OF THE DGWC

1. What Can be considered by the DGWC

   • The DGWC can only consider requests for waiver against urban/waterbodies design guidelines and standard development control requirements imposed by URA for any developments in Singapore. Specifically, the following aspects can be considered:

     • Building edge/buffer and setback requirements;

     • Building form;

     • Street block height control (for accentuation and articulation);

     • Design and location of infrastructure and public amenities;

     • Roof form and materials;

     • Special signage/special lighting;

     • Design of rooftop and car park screening;

     • Safeguarded view corridors provided intrusions would not compromise key objectives;

     • Foreshore setback requirements;

     • Waterbodies design requirements; and

     • Any other development control requirements not specified under paragraph

2. What CANNOT be considered by the DGWC

   1. Gross plot ratio/gross floor area;

   2. Land use and use quantum;

   3. Technical building heights;

   4. Conservation guidelines;

   5. Provision of infrastructure and amenities, such as rear vehicular access, open space and vantage points (unless the applicant is able to propose excellent alternatives); and

   6. Technical requirements imposed by other public or Government agencies.