Landscaping for Urban Spaces and High-Rises (LUSH) 2.0 Programme: Landscape Replacement Policy for Strategic Areas

Circular No : URA/PB/2014/12-CUDG
Our Ref : DC/ADMIN/CIRCULAR/PB_14
Fax : 6220 3201

CIRCULAR TO PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES

Who Should Know:
Architects, landscape architects, developers, building owners, and property managers

Effective Date:
With effect from 12 June 2014 till 9 November 2020

1. URA launched the LUSH programme in 2009 to consolidate a number of new and existing initiatives that encourage more skyrise greenery in private developments.

2. Under the landscape replacement policy, developers must replace greenery lost from the site due to development with greenery in other areas within the development.

3. The policy applies to new developments in strategic areas at Marina Bay, Kallang Riverside and Jurong Gateway. It now extends to all new developments and redevelopments within the following areas:

   • Within Central Area: Downtown Core (part), Straits View (part), Marina South, and Orchard (part) Planning Areas, as well as two mixed-use parcels along Orchard Boulevard in Paterson Hill Subzone.

   • Outside of Central Area: Regional Centres and Growth Areas including the Jurong Gateway, Kallang Riverside, Woodlands Regional Centre, Punggol Creative Cluster, Tampines Regional Centre, and Paya Lebar Central, as well as commercial and commercial/residential developments within 19 Town Centres.

4. The total size of replacement landscaped areas must be at least equivalent in size to the development site area. Developers can provide these replacement areas on the ground, rooftops or mid-level sky terraces. At least 40 per cent of the replacement area should have greenery in the form of landscaping, roof gardens, sky terraces or planter boxes, while the remaining areas could be designed as communal facilities (eg. event plazas, playgrounds and water features). Members of the public or building occupants should have easy access to these communal areas. 

5. We encourage developers and building owners to incorporate the landscape design upfront at the design stage to give due consideration to the structural, spatial and functional requirements for permanent planting in these spaces.

Implementation               

6. Please note the following:
   

   • Appendix 1 (below) shows the designated areas where LRAs are required. Development Applications for new erections or redevelopment within these areas must include a landscape proposal and declaration on the LRAs provided. The LRAs shall be implemented according to the approved plans, and verified and endorsed by URA.

   • Appendix 2 [PDF, 141.30 KB] ↗ (opens in new tab) provides detailed information on the Landscape Replacement Area guidelines.

   • Appendix 3 [PDF, 1.15 MB] ↗ (opens in new tab) shows the submission requirements and the process for seeking Provisional/Written Permission and the Clearance for completed works under the Landscape Replacement Areas guidelines. Where relevant, URA’s clearance of the completed LRAs is required before the Commissioner of Building Control issues the Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) or Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC) if no application is made for TOP.

7. This circular supersedes the earlier circular for Landscape Replacement Areas (LRA) dated 29 Apr 2009 (URA/PB/2009/09-CUDG) and will take effect from 12 Sep 2014 onwards.

8. The revised guidelines will apply to all new applications submitted on or after 12 September 2014¹. Only formal development applications (excluding Outline Applications) submitted before 12 September 2014 which have already been granted Provisional Permission or which will result in a Provisional Permission, will not be subject to the revised guidelines.

9. 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 contact Ms Ouyang Zhuorui at Tel: 6321 8188 (email: ouyang_zhuorui@ura.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab)) or Ms Juliana Tang at Tel: 6671 1044 (email: juliana_tang@ura.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab)). For your information, our past circulars and guidelines are available from our website https://www.ura.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab)

Thank You.

FUN SIEW LENG (MS)
GROUP DIRECTOR (URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN)
For CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

HWANG YU-NING (MS)
GROUP DIRECTOR (PHYSICAL PLANNING)
For CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

¹ Development applications submitted before the effective date 12 Sep 2014 resulting in an Advice or Refusal of Written Permission (RWP) will be evaluated based on the revised guidelines upon resubmission after the Advice or RWP. 

Appendix 1