Singapore committed S$112 million in research and innovation funding on Wednesday at the International Built Environment Week, aiming to advance demolition safety, building longevity, and decarbonisation. National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat also announced a revamped Green Mark certification scheme and strict new site supervision rules for large projects.
Funding the Cities of Tomorrow Under RIE2030
Singapore has committed an additional $112 million over the next five years to drive research and innovation across the built environment to improve productivity and sustainability, according to the Building and Construction Authority. National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat announced the funding on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the International Built Environment Week at Marina Bay Sands.
The financial backing is deployed under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2030 plan. It follows about $185 million secured under the plan in the previous year, as reported by The Straits Times. The latest round of capital is directed toward two key initiatives: the Cities of Tomorrow R&D Programme and the Built Environment Technology Alliance Catalyst Programme.
- Promoting productive and safe demolition methods to address urban rejuvenation needs while minimising noise and disruption in dense areas.
- Expanding capabilities to model building lifespans, improve maintenance reliability, and schedule timely repairs.
- Reducing embodied carbon and improving energy efficiency to target net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
- Translating research outcomes into commercial industry applications via the Built Environment Technology Alliance Catalyst Programme.
The first grant call for the Cities of Tomorrow programme is expected to launch in October, inviting firms to co-develop solutions and join pilot trials.
Overhauling the BCA Green Mark Version 7 Scheme
Alongside the financial commitments, the government introduced a major refresh of its building certification framework to align with national climate goals. The built environment sector accounts for over 20 percent of Singapore’s carbon emissions.
The Building and Construction Authority’s Green Mark version 7 aims to accelerate decarbonisation under the Singapore Green Building Masterplan and the Singapore Green Plan 2030. The refreshed framework introduces a dedicated energy rating that lets building owners pursue certification based strictly on operational energy performance. It also establishes SLE70, a new super-low energy tier designed for properties achieving over 70 percent energy savings compared against a 2005 baseline.
Mandatory Accreditation for Large-Scale Site Supervision
Regulatory oversight is tightening for major construction projects.
The move responds to increasing project complexity and the broader adoption of remote site monitoring tools across the sector.
Evaluating Industry Progress and Future Demands
The fresh injection of capital and regulatory tightening arrive as Singapore’s green building metrics show substantial progress alongside clear gaps. Two-thirds of local buildings by gross floor area are now green, and one-third of new developments qualify as super-low energy buildings. However, Chee noted that catching up remains necessary to hit the country’s broader 2030 targets.
Current Green Mark buildings already eliminate about 1.9 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually, saving more than 4.6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and generating $1.6 billion in yearly cost savings. Yet government spending alone cannot guarantee ground-level transformation.
“The true test of a strong research programme lies in whether its solutions can be taken up and make a real difference on the ground.”
Chee Hong Tat, Minister for National Development, via AsiaOne
With the RIE2030 grant calls slated to open later this year, the success of the S$112 million investment depends entirely on private-sector adoption rates.
