Tips on Submitting Correct Plans for Landscaping for Urban Spaces and High-Rises (LUSH) Scheme

At a webinar organised by URA and the Singapore Institute of Architects on 11 November 2020, URA shared how the intents behind the four key Landscaping for Urban Spaces and High-Rises (LUSH) policies translate into the guidelines and qualifying criteria, and the points to take note of when making planning submissions.

[Note: The information below should be read in conjunction with the information stated in the LUSH 3.0 circular here and the Gross Floor Area (GFA) handbook here.]

1) Covered Communal Ground Garden (C2G2)

The objective of the Covered Communal Ground Garden (C2G2) scheme is to encourage loftier and brighter ground-floor green spaces that help to activate these areas.

There are two types of C2G2:

• Secondary C2G2: These are communal landscaped areas at the 1st storey which are shaded by a structure or a floor or overhang above. See the example below:

Example of a 1st storey landscape plan for Secondary C2G2

• Predominant C2G2: These are covered communal landscaped areas at the 1st storey with substantial ground greenery (also within the covered areas beyond the 45-degree line) and an overall good spatial quality. Refer to the GFA handbook for more details of the qualifying criteria for areas not counted as GFA.

Example of a 1st storey landscape plan for Secondary C2G2

Note

• The 45-degree line should be reflected clearly and correctly on all relevant GFA plans and the DWF and RVT files should tally.

• Enclosed areas should not be indicated as Predominant C2G2, which only applies to open areas. Enclosed areas do not fulfil the intent of integrating covered spaces with landscaped areas.

2) Sky Terraces

Sky terraces are communal garden spaces located at intermediate storeys of a building. These spaces may double up as recreational areas and offer panoramic skyline views.

There are two types of sky terraces:

• Regular Sky Terrace: For sky terraces occupying less than 60% of the floor plate, at least 40% of the perimeter of the sky terrace is to remain open and unenclosed.

Example of GFA computation for regular sky terraces

• Predominant Sky Terrace: This refers to areas where the sky terraces within the 45-degree line occupy at least 60% of the floor plate. At least 60% of the perimeter of the sky terrace is to remain open and unenclosed.

Example of GFA computation for predominant sky terraces

Note

• The following information should be provided in submissions: 45-degree line (supported by a section plan), landscaping plan, sky terrace as a percentage of the total floor plate area, perimeter opening computation.

• If enclosed areas are proposed to be computed as residual area (for predominant sky terraces), demonstrate how these areas form an integral part of the sky terrace.

• Spaces do not qualify as a predominant sky terrace if they constitute less than 60% of the floor plate or have less than 60% perimeter opening.

3) Landscape Decks (for residential developments)

Landscape decks are raised decks that serve as an alternative to multi-storey car parks or basement car parks. They free up ground-level space for landscaping, communal areas and circulation spaces.

Note

• The following information should be provided in submissions: percentage of the façade covered by vertical greenery or landscaped berm; landscaping plan; percentage of the landscape deck covered by greenery (at least 30%).

• Boundary wall details should be provided. The boundary abutting the Landscape Deck shall have porous fencing, as opposed to full height solid boundary walls. Where it is necessary to comply with PUB surface water drainage requirements, the boundary wall may consist of a solid 0.6m high wall followed by a porous 1.2m high fencing. This is to ensure that the landscaping is visible on all facades from the street level.

• Additional information (such as section plans) should be provided to show that the soil depths are enough for planting.

4) Landscape Replacement Area (LRA) Requirements

Landscape Replacement Areas (LRAs) are intended to meaningfully replace the greenery lost when a site is developed and include a combination of greenery and communal areas, located at ground or sky-rise levels. LRA requirements are calibrated by development type, location and intensity. Refer to the LUSH 3.0 circular for more details on the LRA requirements for developments located within and outside of the Strategic Areas. The full list of Strategic Areas can be found here under the LUSH tab.

To qualify as LRA, spaces should be:

• Communally accessible (i.e. non-commercial)

• Open-to-sky or GFA exempted under a LUSH incentive scheme

• Horizontal areas

• Hardscape comprising communal facilities (note: only applicable to Strategic Areas, where more stringent LRA requirements apply)

Examples of LRA include open-to-sky gardens/landscaped areas (on-ground or rooftops), sky terraces, covered communal ground gardens (C2G2), communal planter boxes, and green buffers/planting strips.

Examples of LRA provision subjected to percentage caps include vertical greenery, extensive inaccessible green roofs, and covered rooftop farms (considered hardscape areas).

Note

• The following information should be provided in submissions: landscaping plan and LRA computation, height of planter boxes / soil depth, Green Plot Ratio.

• Generic corridors should not be computed as LRA hardscape. Hardscape should be surrounded by softscape integrated as a larger communal space to qualify for LRA.

• Token greenery (e.g. turfed areas and/or sparse vegetation, potted plants) will not be considered LRA. The intention of LRA is to facilitate the introduction of a variety of well-integrated greenery.

• Ensure that the softscape areas introduced are accessible. High-inaccessible softscape areas, such as those only accessible via gondola/building maintenance unit (BMU) will not count towards LRA provision. Do consider the long-term sustainability and maintenance of greenery when planning such spaces.