Urban Redevelopment Authority
- Peter Ho Hak Ean, Chairman
- Lim Eng Hwee, CEO
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is the national urban planning authority of Singapore, and a statutory board under the Ministry of National Development of the Government of Singapore.
Mission
The authority was established on 1 April 1974, and is of critical importance to the city-state. Singapore is an extremely dense country where land usage is required to be efficient and maximized. The city state is trying to reduce land wastage in the face of land shortage in the area.
URA's responsibilities
Land use planning
URA's main responsibility is land-use planning. URA planners devise both long-term strategic plans, along with medium-term plans, which are reviewed every five to ten years. These plans designate the land use and urban density for the entirety of Singapore. These designations are divided by URA into 55 planning areas.[1]
Development control
It is the responsibility of URA to evaluate and grant planning approval for development projects from the public and private sectors. In approving development applications, the URA states its goal is to foster orderly development conforming to the planning guidelines as stated in the statutory Master Plan and the existing control factors. URA tries to provide quality service when working in partnership with building industry professionals and the general public to foster development.
Urban design
URA is responsible for the urban design of the city. For areas of special interest, such as the Singapore River area, the Orchard Road shopping belt, and the Marina Bay, URA devises specific medium and short-term urban design and land use plans. It also works with other government agencies in enhancing the city's urban design.[1]
Building conservation
Building conservation in Singapore is the responsibility of URA, which issued a Conservation Master Plan in 1989. This plan laid down guidelines and processes for the conservation of culturally and historically significant buildings.[2] More than 7000 buildings in Singapore have been gazetted as conserved buildings.
Land sales
URA also sells land by tender on behalf of the Singapore government to meet demand from private developers.[1] URA deals with tenders for government land and applications to buy reserved land.
Car park management
The URA plays an important role in managing all public car parks outside of Housing Development Board estates. It provides information and services to the public in regard to coupon parking, season parking, and heavy vehicle parking. URA also sets the bylaws to parking infringement and fines.
The URA Centre
In keeping with URA's function as the authority for urban design in Singapore, the URA Centre was conceptualised by URA's in-house architects. Kenzō Tange Associates and Kajima Design Asia Pte Ltd served as design consultants. The building consists of two blocks: a 16-floor tower block, and a 5-floor podium block.[3]
The Singapore City Gallery
The URA maintains a regular and ever updated public urban planning exhibition on the first three floors of their headquarters. Highlights include three scale models of the island of Singapore, the central region, and the central area. Special exhibits and models on current projects and developments island-wide are regularly displayed as well.
- Model in the lobby of the URA building.
- Scale model of the island found in the Singapore City Gallery.
- The Singapore City Gallery Exhibit - URA is responsible for the urban planning of Singapore.
See also
References
- ^ a b c "About Us". Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
- ^ "Singapore Conservation Program". Archived from the original on 10 March 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
- ^ "Construction Excellence Awards 2000". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
- History of the Urban Redevelopment Authority
External links
- Official Website of Urban Redevelopment Authority
- v
- t
- e
- Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research
- Building and Construction Authority
- Central Provident Fund
- Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
- Civil Service College
- Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore
- Council for Estate Agencies
- Defence Science and Technology Agency
- Economic Development Board
- Energy Market Authority
- Enterprise Singapore
- Government Technology Agency
- Health Promotion Board
- Health Sciences Authority
- Housing and Development Board
- Home Team Science and Technology Agency
- Infocomm Media Development Authority
- Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore
- Intellectual Property Office of Singapore
- ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute
- JTC Corporation
- Land Transport Authority
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
- National Arts Council
- National Council of Social Service
- National Environment Agency
- National Heritage Board
- National Library Board
- People's Association
- Public Transport Council
- Public Utilities Board
- Sentosa Development Corporation
- Singapore Accountancy Commission
- Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board
- Singapore Food Agency
- Singapore Land Authority
- Singapore Tourism Board
- Sport Singapore
- Urban Redevelopment Authority
- Workforce Singapore
- Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore
- Casino Regulatory Authority
- Commercial and Industrial Security Corporation
- Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
- International Enterprise Singapore
- Media Development Authority
- National Computer Board
- Nanyang Technological University
- National University of Singapore
- Post Office Savings Bank
- Public Works Department
- Singapore Broadcasting Authority
- Singapore Broadcasting Corporation
- Singapore Harbour Board
- Singapore Improvement Trust
- Singapore Telecommunications
- SPRING Singapore
- Telecommunication Authority of Singapore