Heritage Impact Assessment

Singapore adopts a systematic approach to determine and mitigate the potential impact of development. In general, all development projects are required to undergo a thorough evaluation process to assess and address the development’s impact across various aspects, e.g. traffic, public health, the environment and heritage, before planning approval is given.

Approach to Assessing Heritage Significance of Buildings and Structures

As part of our urban rejuvenation efforts, we facilitate the retention and recollection of Singapore’s built heritage. We adopt a consultative and calibrated approach when managing the trade-offs between our built heritage and development needs. The evaluation process takes into consideration the heritage significance of sites, buildings and structures including a myriad of factors such as architectural, historical and social significance. The intended use of the site, future development needs, and the interests of relevant stakeholders such as the heritage community, future users, and our broader national interest, are also considered.

Regular consultation with stakeholder groups and panels such as the Heritage and Identity Partnership and the National Heritage Board (NHB)’s Heritage Advisory Panel have allowed agencies to involve and engage the community upstream in the planning process. Such engagement also promotes greater public education and understanding of our built heritage. This collaborative approach has resulted in the conservation of over 7,200 buildings and structures, the sensitive integration of heritage buildings and structures into our modern cityscape, and the implementation of design interventions and initiatives that celebrate our unique identity and collective memories.

Heritage Impact Assessment Framework

To complement the above approach, under the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) framework, public projects that are likely to cause major impact to significant heritage sites will be required to undergo an additional in-depth consultation with URA and NHB to ascertain whether heritage studies or other mitigating measures are required. URA and NHB may recommend that heritage studies be conducted on selected sites to provide a more holistic and in-depth understanding on the heritage significance of buildings and structures and the impact of development. 

The scale and scope of such studies may vary depending on the context of the site. For large-scale redevelopment projects (e.g. future housing estates and business centres) impacting clusters of buildings and structures with potential heritage value, HIAs which are the most extensive heritage studies, may be required.

For sites that are assessed to require a HIA, developing agencies will:

1. Engage external consultants to conduct an independent heritage study to assess in greater detail the extent of the potential impact of development works, the adequacy of proposed mitigating measures, and consider more comprehensive strategies to incorporate built heritage elements in the proposed development.  

2. Engage the relevant stakeholders and the heritage community at key project milestones when appropriate, such as when determining the scope of the studies and sharing the preliminary findings. 

3. Publish the study findings on their websites for public feedback.

Findings from heritage studies including the potential impact and adequacy of proposed mitigating measures, as well as feedback from community and heritage stakeholders, will guide agencies as they draw up comprehensive and detailed strategies to mitigate the impact of development while celebrating the distinctive character and identity of the site. 

The Ministry of National Development and URA will assess development projects against their potential impact, before granting planning approval for the project to proceed. The developing agency is required to ensure that measures to mitigate the impact of development are implemented as appropriate. 

Heritage Study Reports