Pace of transformation for Singapore construction sector to be stepped up

THE Ministry of National Development (MND) will step up the pace of industry transformation for the construction sector, to help them get on a stronger footing post-Covid-19.

"This includes adopting advanced building technologies to allow for cleaner, higher quality, and less manpower-intensive construction. We will drive research, innovation and digitalisation across the built environment value chain, from construction to property transactions services and facilities management," said Minister for National Development Desmond Lee in his ministry's addendum to the President's Address.

"We will also enhance professionalism at all levels across the sector, to create new and better jobs for Singaporeans, guided by a comprehensive Skills Framework.

Separately, as part of plans to refresh and enliven community spaces, the government will broaden and deepen community engagement.

"We aim to develop 'Healthy Towns for all ages', by planning and designing our HDB (Housing & Development Board) towns and estates to better support the physical, social and mental well-being of residents at different life stages," he said.

Greening efforts islandwide will also continue.

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"We will dedicate more nature parks for recreational activities, and protect our nature reserves from the impact of urbanisations. We will conserve more native flora and fauna, introduce more natural landscapes and water bodies in our gardens and paths, and integrate nature into our urban areas and pathways," he said.

MND is working with the industry and community to roll out the next Green Building Masterplan and raise building sustainability standards. Meanwhile at the town level, new HDB towns will have more green spaces.

Examples of these include Tengah which will feature a comprehensive cycling network and have the first "car-free" town centre; and Jurong Lake District which is being developed as a model sustainable mixed-use district with smart infrastructure and planning to optimise resource and reduce the carbon footprint.

In the same vein, the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment (MSE) said it is focused on pushing for a green recovery post Covid-19.

"We will invest in technology to stay ahead of the curve in water management and conservation, including the rollout of smart meters in 300,000 premises by 2023. We aim to reduce household water consumption from 141 to 130 litres per capita per day by 2030", said Minister for Sustainability and Environment Grace Fu in her ministry's addendum.

Other efforts to push for climate action and sustainability include the development of Tuas Nexus to maximise energy and resource recovery by harnessing synergies between solid waste and water treatment processes; PUB will generate sufficient solar energy to power all of its local waterworks by 2021.

On the food security front, efforts to diversify Singapore's imports and strengthen food supply chains and realise the goal to produce 30 per cent of Singapore's nutritional needs locally by 2030 will be intensified, she said.

"We will continue to unlock more spaces for farming, by encouraging sea-based farming in the deeper southern waters of Singapore, and bring food production closer to communities, such as on the rooftops of HDB multi-storey car parks, she said. "We will also masterplan Lim Chu Kang and develop the Ari-Food Innovation Park to create a vibrant and sustainable agri-food ecosystem and provide good job opportunities for the agri-food workforce."

Closing resource loops is also on the cards and Singapore is pushing the boundaries with NEWSand (transformation of waste treatment residue into construction materials) and NEWOil (discarded plastics that are transformed into higher value products like pyrolysis oil).

"We will also mandate key responsibilities to enable reusing and recycling nationwide for our priority waste streams of food, e-waste and packaging, and support the localisation of our recycling capabilities."

To support these many initiatives, developing a pipeline of talent to support sustainability in Singapore is also key. MSE expects to create 4,000 new and upgraded jobs in the next year and over 55,000 in the next 10 years.