More than 61 hectares of buildings exteriors in Singapore were planted with greenery last year, surpassing the original target of 50 hectares for 2030, according to media reports.
A spokesperson from the National Parks Board (NParks) said the significant increase in building foliage is credited to several initiatives like its Skyrise Greenery Incentive Scheme, which incentivises property owners who embark on this trend.
Another is the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) enhanced Landscaping for Urban Spaces and High-Rises (LUSH) programme.
After exceeding its target, the government decided to raise the bar by covering 200 hectares of building walls and roofs with trees and plants by 2030.
“We are confident that with the whole of government approach coupled with partnership with private developers, this target is achievable,” said the NParks spokesperson.
HDB will also help achieve this new target by incorporating such features into their housing projects.
In addition, skyrise greenery offers many benefits for building owners as well as occupants.
Green roofs, sky gardens, and vertical greenery can decrease urban heat gain, which could result in energy savings, noted CapitaLand’s Group Chief Corporate Officer Tan Seng Chai.
For example, green walls and roofs can reduce surface temperatures by up to 12°C and 18°C respectively. These features can also enhance air quality and improve biodiversity in cities.
Image source: URA
Muneerah Bee, Senior Journalist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact her about this or other stories email muneerah@propertyguru.com.sg
