Review of building height limits near airports among rule changes to boost S'pore's competitiveness
The move could open up opportunities for businesses and have the potential to increase the overall housing supply. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Review of building height limits near airports among rule changes to boost S'pore's competitiveness
SINGAPORE – Buildings located around airports in Singapore can soon be built to a greater height – potentially up to 15 storeys taller if they are residential, and up to nine storeys taller if they are industrial or commercial.
The revised limits, set to take effect from August, are the result of a review by an international task force formed in 2015 and chaired by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) since 2017 .
The move could open up opportunities for businesses and have the potential to increase the overall housing supply that will benefit more Singaporeans, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said on May 22.
It is one example of 'pro-enterprise' rule changes being made in the transport sector and beyond to help businesses here to reduce costs and red tape, make better use of scarce resources , said Mr Chee, who is also Second Finance Minister.
Speaking at the 40th edition of the Singapore Business Awards, he said reviewing such rules and processes will improve Singapore's productivity and competitiveness.
This is one area that the Government is focusing on as a response to global uncertainty and a more arbitrary and protectionist world, added Mr Chee, who will be appointed National Development Minister on May 23 as part of the new Cabinet line-up.
Former top public servant Jeffrey Siow will take over as Acting Transport Minister.
Other areas of focus include strengthening Singapore's position as a trusted business hub, and improving links with like-minded economies and companies, such as its Asean neighbours.
On the raising of height limits around airports, Mr Chee said the existing requirements were set in the 1950s by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations agency overseeing global aviation standards and practices.
Since then, there have been technological advancements in aircraft and air navigation systems, which have enabled modern aircraft to operate more precisely.
This prompted a review of the height requirements by an ICAO task force chaired by CAAS to allow for more airspace around airports to be freed up for developments, while still ensuring safety.
In Singapore, various agencies will need to do more studies to confirm the increase in building height restrictions, Mr Chee said. The actual benefits will also depend on other infrastructural and planning considerations.
Still, the rule change is key, as it will support further land intensification in land-scarce Singapore, Mr Chee added.
On the land transport front, the minister noted how the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has reduced the time needed to build bus shelters here from 14 weeks to four weeks, by streamlining approval processes and using prefabricated parts that can be assembled quickly on-site.
Mr Chee said he has asked LTA to apply the same approach to developers and contractors working on other public and private projects.
Later in 2025, LTA will also make changes to the way it handles applications for renovation works to residential and commercial car parks, so that work can start immediately instead of needing to wait at least three weeks for approval.
At sea, the development of a 'digital twin' of the Port of Singapore enables shipping companies to see in real time traffic and operations at the port, so they can take steps to reduce waiting time and costs.
A comprehensive three-dimensional map of the seabed will also allow businesses to better approach the installation of underwater cables by avoiding obstacles and potential risks, such as damaging other cables.
Amid a more turbulent and uncertain global environment, Mr Chee said Singapore as a small country does not get to choose the conditions it operates in. However, it is not without agency.
Citing the launch of a pharmaceutical hub by logistics giant DHL here in April, Mr Chee said building on Singapore's 'trust premium' will allow the country to better seize new opportunities and grow high-value sectors that can benefit from stability, integrity and strong governance.
On the need for closer ties with the rest of the world, Mr Chee said government leaders in the United States have described the world's largest economy as an 800-pound gorilla.
But the minister said there are other 'gorillas' and 'great apes' around who may weigh less individually, but add up to more than 800 pounds collectively.
This is why Singapore will work towards rolling out more bilateral and multilateral agreements, and continue to bring down or eliminate trade and non-trade barriers where possible, Mr Chee added, noting the efforts to upgrade the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement.
Under the trade pact, in force since 2010, six of the 10 Asean member states, including Singapore, have scrapped almost all import duties. The other four members have reduced import levies to 5 per cent and lower on 99 per cent of products under tariff.
'Asean needs to speed up our economic integration efforts within our region and also with other partner economies. I don't think we have a choice. This is not the time to take our time and slow down,' he added.
Mr Chee said he will continue to make it a priority for his ministry, whether in national development or transport, to help business reduce costs and do well, by empowering government officers to take calculated risks and supporting ground-up ideas.
He added: 'This is not just an exercise to think of what new things to do.
'It is also about instilling the discipline of taking a hard look at what existing initiatives we should stop, what red tape we can cut, and how we can operate more efficiently, so that if we can save time and save money, we can pass through some of these savings to you, our businesses.'
The annual Singapore Business Awards is organised by The Business Times and DHL to recognise local business leaders who have made a difference in their industries.
The 2025 edition was held at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore hotel, with awards given out in five categories: Businessman of the Year, Outstanding Chief Executive of the Year, Outstanding Overseas Executive of the Year, the Enterprise Award and Young Business Leader of the Year.
Kok Yufeng is a transport correspondent at The Straits Times.
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