My team and I at are glad to share our inputs in a recent interview with with Lianhe Zaobao 联合早报, following a surge in unauthorized building structures constructed over the past years in Singapore.
Urban Redevelopment Authority and Building and Construction Authority (Singapore) have, on their respective websites, published a list of works that do not require approval as long as the nature of work fall within the stipulated guidelines. For example, URA has a list of Exemption from Planning Permission while the BCA has a list of Insignificant Building Works. These lists echo the same requirement currently listed, for example, in Statues Act like the Building Control Regulations 2003. URA and BCA have summarized these requirements made available for the general public. If the proposed works do not fall within these lists, then an approval is required from the relevant government agencies.
Even so, it might not be immediately apparent to property owners or building contractors to know that there are governing regulations for these works. Additionally, some would require interpretation from building consultants like architects and professional engineers to contextualize the proposed works on hand, before determining if an approval is required. That is also when advice from an architect or a professional engineer will be required. In this instance, it will be helpful for building management / council and maintenance agents to raise awareness in this area before allowing the works to commence, establishing a joint effort to ensure compliance and safety in our built environment.
Seeking authority approvals is essentially engaging an architect or professional engineer to design and endorse works that are safe and compliant, which is fundamental and paramount to our built environment. Hence, it should not be seen as a hindrance / delay of works on site. With proper project management, delays could be mitigated. For example, a proposed works may comprise of many different trades of renovation that do not require authority approvals i.e site preparation, internal finishes / furnishings, these works could proceed concurrently while the architect or professional engineer designs and submits the essential building plans to the authorities for approval. Hence, safety, compliance and timely completion of works could still be achieved.
No size or scale of building works shall determine whether authority’s approval is required or not. These requirements and/or exemptions essentially review the type of works that poses issues like structural and fire safety, disamenities to neighbours or persons with disabilities etc. While authority regulations could not practically cover all aspects of works resulting in uncertainties, as architects, we would seek consultation with the relevant authority agencies on behalf of the building owners to ensure the works done are safe and compliant.
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