Building and Construction Authority
The
Building and Construction Authority (BCA) shapes the best built environment for Singapore by enhancing building safety, raising construction quality, and promoting sustainable buildings and construction, as well as enhancing the user-friendliness of the built environment.
Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability remained a key priority as BCA forged on with the implementation of its first Green Building Masterplan in 2008. Minimum standards of environmental sustainability that will apply to all new buildings and existing buildings undergoing major retrofitting were legislated in April 2008.
BCA’s $20 million Green Mark Incentive Scheme, set up in late 2006 to encourage private developers to attain higher Green Mark standards—defined as Gold ratings and above—was enhanced in May 2008 to expand the scope of projects and to extend the incentive to architects and M&E consultants.
The business case for green buildings was also strongly promoted to developers and building owners. Two public campaigns were held to promote popular awareness of Green Homes.
There were more than 200 Green Mark buildings in 2008, a clear sign that BCA’s first Green Building Masterplan was bearing fruit in Singapore’s built environment. This was affirmed by the International Panel of Experts on Environment Sustainability, which convened in September 2008 to review the Masterplan and provide future directions to improve the liveability and sustainability of Singapore.
In 2008, BCA continued to roll-out initiatives from the Sustainable Construction Masterplan, which represents a tripartite effort of BCA and other public agencies, various industry associations, and tertiary research institutes. The Masterplan aims to increase the use of recycled materials and optimise the usage of natural resources in construction.
Barrier-Free Accessibility and Universal Design Promotion
BCA plays an important role in fostering a cohesive and resilient society through its five-year Barrier-free Accessibility Masterplan. Milestones were achieved since the Masterplan was mapped out. In 2008, the $40 million Accessibility Fund was enhanced to provide higher funding for additional barrier-free accessibility features to encourage more owners of buildings built before 1990 to upgrade their buildings.
An Accessibility Rating System was also launched in October 2008 to provide the public with one-stop information on accessible buildings and features. This comprehensive listing of buildings is in the Friendly Built Environment Portal, that comes with universal design features to allow visually and hearing impaired users to access the information.
A roving exhibition on accessibility in Singapore’s built environment was also held at various locations such as community clubs and libraries around Singapore to raise public awareness.
Enhancing Safety in our Built Environment
Underground building works have a great impact on safety. To provide additional safeguards for such works, BCA’s new regulations on underground works came into effect in October 2008. Geotechnical specialists will be required to design, check and supervise underground building structures. Other changes to the Building Control Act that took effect in December 2008 include the licensing of builders. To ensure that all duties are carried out competently and professionally, all builders carrying out building and certain specialised works must now possess a licence. Builders are given six months from the commencement date to apply for the licence.
In 2008, BCA developed a slope protection management system to facilitate building owners and government agencies to institute a regular inspection and maintenance programme of slopes. In addition, BCA published an educational leaflet to inform owners on slope protection structures and tips on spotting tell-tale signs of slope problems. Such leaflets have been distributed to building owners regularly, especially before the rainy season.
Developing Capabilities to Transform the Built Environment
The building and construction industry has experienced growth in the last two years, and is expected to continue growing with sustained activities in the next few years. This has led to a strong demand for human resources. Hence, BCA has stepped up its industry career promotion efforts and mapped out career progression paths to attract new entrants to join the built environment industry. An integrated web portal was launched in December 2008 to provide one-stop information on jobs, training courses and career opportunities in the built environment.
The BCA Academy, the education and research hub of BCA, offers a wide range of construction-related courses and training programmes for school leavers and industry practitioners looking to upgrade their capabilities. Training courses range from skills training, diploma and specialist diploma courses, to short-term professional courses and executive management programmes.
A new Advanced Management Programme was introduced jointly with Singapore Management University in August 2008, and forms part of BCA’s Built Environment Strategic Leadership Development initiative to develop strategic management capabilities to anchor and advance the building and construction industry.
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