Debated in Parliament on 2 Oct 2017.
Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for National Development what policy incentives and measures are currently in place to encourage building owners of existing and upcoming private developments to accommodate barrier-free link-bridge connectivity to adjacent HDB precincts, especially precincts with a significant elderly population.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) works closely with public and private stakeholders to plan and implement seamless walking networks between housing estates, major facilities and transport nodes. This is undertaken through various initiatives.
First, since July 2016, developers of large shopping malls, offices, business parks and educational institutions are required to submit a Walking and Cycling Plan (WCP) to URA and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) as part of their development applications. Through WCP, developers will be required to provide a mix of elevated, at-grade and underground barrier-free linkages, so as to facilitate convenient and direct pedestrian access to neighbouring developments like Housing and Development Board (HDB) precincts. URA and LTA will work closely with the developers to ensure that WCP improves residents’ accessibility to surrounding amenities and services.
Second, to incentivise developers to construct barrier-free linkages, URA has excluded the floor area of linkages that fulfil minimum width requirements, and remain accessible 24/7, from the maximum permissible gross floor area allowed for developments.
Third, for developments released under the Government Land Sales programme, URA stipulates requirements for developers to provide barrier-free linkages between adjoining developments within the land sales tender conditions.
Fourth, since 1990, all buildings must comply with the Building and Construction Authority's (BCA's) Code on Accessibility, which specifies the minimum design and construction requirements on basic barrier-free design needs of the elderly and persons with limited mobility. For older private developments built before 1990, building owners may apply for BCA's Accessibility Fund, which provides grants of up to $300,000 for owners to upgrade their buildings with accessibility features.
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