RETHINKING GROSS PLOT RATIO IN SINGAPORE � A CASE OF SENGKANG

Abstract

As a metropolitan city, Singapore adopts a strategy of having compact high-density developments due to land constraints. Given its limited land supply, Singapore hopes to create a model of ‘liveable city’ for a sustainable, community-oriented developments and recreational areas for all residents. Besides land reclamation and undeveloped planning areas, potential land areas such as the Paya Lebar Airbase are planned for relocation in 2030 to make way for new developments in the area. This presents opportunities for planning areas close to the airbase to increase development intensity through the relaxation of gross plot ratio (GPR) and building height restrictions. In recent years, plans to adopt a planning system that integrates three-dimensional (3D) mapping to support the government, companies and residents have been part of the Singapore’s Smart Nation initiatives. With the upcoming 3D maps for a Virtual Singapore, developers will make better strategic decisions on future developments instead of two-dimensional building models and data. This paper adopts a scenario planning approach through three scenarios for simulation. Five targeted developments within Sengkang will be examined using 3D Geospatial Information System to simulate the planning scenarios with moderated GPR and building heights. Preliminary findings among different scenarios indicate that surrounding buildings near the targeted sites will experience a decline in sunlight exposure. Simultaneously, the percentage of skyline has decreased when an on-looker observes from ground-level in the different scenarios. Conversely, with an increase in GPR and increased in building heights, the percentage of the skyline increases from the viewer observation points.