5 days ago
Building neighbourhoods and advancing innovation
IN 1992, a newly incorporated construction company quietly broke ground in Singapore. Its first project, Sentosa's now-defunct Volcano Theme Park, marked the beginning of a long and growing commitment to the citystate. Thirty-three years on, China Construction (South Pacific) Development Co Pte Ltd (CCDC) has firmly established itself as a key player in Singapore's urban story, credited with building 82,691 homes, major national infrastructure, and a reputation for quality, safety and sustainability.
Now one of Singapore's leading contractors with the highest Building and Construction Authority (BCA) builder grade (A1) and over 280 industry awards, CCDC's growth has closely tracked Singapore's development. Beyond the numbers, however, the company measures success by the lives and communities shaped by its work.
From its early days, CCDC has responded to Singapore's priorities. After its private residential debut in 1994, the company swiftly moved into the public housing space, winning its first HDB project in Bukit Batok that same year. Since then, it has delivered 48,984 HDB flats and 33,707 private homes. Today, one in 20 people here lives in a home built by CCDC.
Beyond housing, the company has extended its reach across the built environment, from educational institutions, commercial centres and healthcare facilities to transport infrastructure and even water management. Key milestones include the construction of Republic Polytechnic's Woodlands campus (2003-2006), which featured varied structural designs; the Canberra MRT Station (2015-2019), a technically challenging project that earned multiple safety and design awards; and the Tuas Water Reclamation Plant, its first foray into water infrastructure.
The developer's current portfolio includes high-profile, complex projects like Bukit Canberra, an integrated sports and community hub, and CanningHill Piers mixed development, its first large-scale, high-end project.
Bukit Canberra, an integrated sports and community hub.
Responding to changing aspirations
CCDC's steady growth reflects not just Singapore's development needs, but also the evolving aspirations of its people. Singaporeans today are placing greater emphasis on quality of life, sustainability, and smart living, moving beyond traditional goals like material success or homeownership. This shift has created stronger demand for thoughtfully designed technology-enabled spaces that enhance everyday living in a modern urban environment.
This is visible in projects such as Oasis Terraces, a lushly vegetated waterfront hub in Punggol that integrates healthcare, retail, residential and transport within a green ecosystem. The development received acclaim locally and abroad, including an award at the World Architecture Festival.
CCDC has also been an early adopter of green building standards. It has built more than 70 BCA Green Mark-certified projects since 2006, many of which exceed minimum regulatory requirements. These include green rooftops and innovative natural lighting systems, all designed to minimise environmental impact while improving user comfort.
By prioritising and practising Green Mark building standards, CCDC proactively implements environment friendly construction methodologies, materials and systems.
Harnessing technology for transformation
Key to CCDC's growth has been its push to modernise construction through technology. As early as 2014, it set up a dedicated Building Information Modelling (BIM) team and today deploys over 200 BIM specialists across its projects. The team works on full-scale 2D to 6D models to enable more precise planning and resource management, as it seeks to 'build twice and build wise'.
On the prefabrication front, CCDC has led the local adoption of Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) and Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA). Its Lake Grande project was Singapore's first reinforced concrete condominium using PPVC, significantly reducing build time and site waste. At Bulim Square, another ongoing project, the company is employing an advanced drilling robot, prefabricated MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) modules, and an integrated digital management platform.
At Bulim Square, another ongoing project, the company is employing an advanced drilling robot, prefabricated modules, and an integrated digital management platform.
The drilling robot showcased its precision and efficiency, completing complex tasks with minimal human intervention, thus significantly reducing labour costs and project timelines. According to CCDC, these technologies are not just about speed, they support higher build quality, better safety outcomes and reduced carbon emissions.
The company is also piloting smart micro-grid systems and battery energy storage technologies, while exploring AI-assisted inspection and construction automation. These initiatives align with Singapore's Smart Nation and Green Plan goals.
Investing in people
CCDC's belief in building well extends to its people. With over 1,600 employees in Singapore, the company places strong emphasis on local hiring, skills development and workplace inclusion. Today, 94 per cent of its core management team are Singaporeans or permanent residents.
To equip its staff with the right qualifications and skills, the company implements a comprehensive annual training plan that includes both internal and external programmes. These initiatives aim to help employees stay current with industry standards and effectively support the increasing demands of CCDC's construction projects. The company also offers dual career tracks for professional and leadership development.
CCDC's active emphasis on safety and quality is also supported through dedicated training sessions, interactive site activities, and internal knowledge-sharing platforms like the 'EasyLearn' series.
Community at the core
Looking beyond the bottom line, CCDC has invested heavily in building communities. This includes social outings for migrant workers, such as a recent Gardens by the Bay trip in partnership with The Salvation Army, and friendly badminton tournaments that encourage camaraderie and inclusion on site.
At Riviera MRT station, one of CCDC's ongoing projects, a vibrant community mural now brightens the space, featuring 18 artworks created by young artists from Greendale Primary, Horizon Primary, and the Punggol Shore neighbourhood. The company's commitment to community care extends even after construction is completed. Its Building Service Centres, for instance, handle post-handover support for HDB developments, reflecting its focus on resident satisfaction. In 2024, CCDC received the HDB Excellence Service Award for its work at Tampines GreenCourt and Woodleigh Village.
Riviera MRT project.
'Passionate customer service is the cornerstone of our success. We emphasise empathy, active listening, and timely solutions, with the goal of building meaningful connections with residents,' says a CCDC spokesperson.
Building ties across borders
CCDC's story is also about cross-cultural connection. As a wholly owned subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), CCDC has served as a ground-level bridge between Singapore and China for over three decades.
'We believe that every project is not just a structure, but a bridge between people, ideas, and cultures. Delivering high-quality work, acting responsibly, and building lasting relationships is a meaningful way to support the broader Singapore-China partnership on the ground,' says the company spokesperson.
This includes adapting innovations from China for local use and ensuring Singapore standards and culture are integrated into every delivery. The company also works closely with local suppliers and industry partners, promoting local procurement and inclusive business practices.
Looking ahead, CCDC's priorities remain aligned with Singapore's national goals over the next decade. The company plans to deepen its role in key sectors such as healthcare, transport and green infrastructure, areas identified in the Singapore Green Plan 2030.
'While we have played an active role in Singapore's residential and public construction landscape, we are now placing greater emphasis on landmark projects, which reflect the country's evolving infrastructure needs,' says the CCDC spokesperson.
'By introducing innovative products from our Group and adapting them to local needs, we aim to provide solutions that are sustainable, efficient, and suited to Singapore's urban vision.'
