Singapore: Momentum to "green" buildings picking up

Sharon See Today Online 17 May 11;

SINGAPORE - Green buildings are picking up momentum in Singapore, with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) giving out a record number of BCA Green Mark awards to 164 winners this year, up from 102 last year.

Incentive schemes have been introduced encourage developers to go beyond the mandatory basic Green Mark standard for new buildings, such as additional floor area, which could translate to higher profit, said BCA chief executive office John Keung. "As a result, nowadays, you see a lot more Platinum projects, a lot more Gold Plus projects being developed," he said.

Other incentives include reimbursements for engaging environmental experts, who can help in achieving an energy-efficient design for buildings.

The BCA Green Mark scheme was introduced in 2005 to recognise energy- and water-efficient buildings, and organisations that voluntarily go the extra mile are awarded the Green Mark Gold, Gold Plus and Platinum awards.

Among them is private developer City Developments Limited (CDL), which has clinched more than 50 Green Mark Gold awards or better - 16 of them Green Mark Platinum awards, the highest recognition.

For its track record, the developer earned itself the inaugural BCA Green Mark Platinum Champion Award from BCA this year.

The BCA Green Mark Champion Award went to the Housing and Development Board (HDB) for completing 14 projects that attained at least Green Mark Gold status, five of which were rated Platinum. It is the first public sector agency to receive the award, which was given to CDL in 2008.

Some of HDB's award-winning green projects include Treelodge@Punggol, Waterway Terraces and SkyTerrace@Dawson.

With this year's winners, there are more than 750 Green Mark building projects here, amounting to 11 per cent of the total gross floor area.

The government is aiming to "green" at least 80 per cent of buildings by 2030.