New Incentives to Promote Skyrise Greenery in Singapore

Increase in value of prizes for Skyrise Greenery Awards; new Scheme to include cash incentive for installation of vertical greenery on existing buildings

Singapore, 24 March 2011 - Senior Minister of State for National Development, Ms Grace Fu, announced today that the value of the prizes for the Skyrise Greenery Awards 2011 will be increased to attract quality applications internationally. She also announced that the new Skyrise Greenery Incentive Scheme will offer cash incentives of up to half the costs of installation of green walls and green roofs on existing buildings. These new incentives are introduced to further promote skyrise greenery, contributing to Singapore's vision to be a City in a Garden. The announcement of the new incentives was made at the "Official Opening of CapitaLand's Indoor Vertical Garden" at Six Battery Road.

Skyrise Greenery Awards
Now into its fourth year, the Skyrise Greenery Awards aims to promote and recognise the greening of urban developments. It is organised by the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) and the National Parks Board (NParks).  Each year, the Awards have seen increased participation, and the 2010 Awards even attracted applications from Australia, India, Malaysia, and the UAE. To further attract quality applications internationally, SIA and NParks are increasing the value of the prizes for the Awards. The first prize will be increased from USD5,000 to USD8,000, second prize from USD2,000 to USD5,000 and third prize from USD500 to USD2,000. Submission for the Awards opens today.

New Skyrise Greenery Incentive Scheme
With increased interest in vertical greenery and availability of more products for green walls in the market, NParks is introducing the new Skyrise Greenery Incentive Scheme (SGIS). This scheme is an enhanced version of the Green Roof Incentive Scheme, or GRIS in short. GRIS was a pilot programme introduced by NParks to encourage the installation of green roofs on existing buildings in Downtown and Orchard areas. NParks has further expanded this scheme to other areas in Singapore. Since it opened for submissions in end 2009, the Scheme has attracted fourteen organizations (from corporations and shopping malls to schools and hospitals) to beautify their buildings.

With the new SGIS, NParks will extend the same subsidy - cash incentives of up to half the installation costs - for existing buildings to retrofit green walls on their developments.

Speaking at the event, Ms Fu said: "Skyrise greenery not only enhances the buildings aesthetically, it also brings about many other tangible benefits ... I strongly urge more building owners and developers to tap on the available schemes that encourage skyrise greenery and Green Mark standards for your developments. Together, we can play our part to make Singapore a City in a Garden." (Please check against delivery)

The installation of a green wall typically costs between S$1,000 to S$1,500 per square metre. To help building owners implement green walls smoothly, NParks will provide technical advice on vertical greenery technology and produce a booklet on the subject to share knowledge and 'know-how' of implementing green walls. Those interested to apply for the scheme can contact Ms Shirley Ling at Shirley_Ling@NParks.gov.sg.

More information on the new incentives can be found at http://www.skyrisegreenery.com