Planning & development of land

Study notes

Singapore plans its land intensely. This section covers the Planning Act and the Master Plan, when planning permission is needed, and how conservation and development charges shape what can be built.

What you must know

• The Master Plan is the statutory land-use plan: every parcel is zoned (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.) with a maximum plot ratio (GFA divided by site area).
• URA administers the Planning Act; development — building works, material changes of use — generally needs planning permission unless exempted.
• A change of use (e.g. shop to office) is development too — permission is needed even without physical works.
• Conservation buildings may be used but must be restored to guidelines; approval is needed for alterations.
• Development charge taxes the increase in land value when planning permission grants higher intensity — a betterment levy.
• State land is administered by the Singapore Land Authority; temporary use may be licensed (temporary occupation licence).