Strengthening Singapore's Built Environment: Advancing Built Environment Professions and Improving Liveability in Private Developments

To support the next phase of nation-building, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) is working with the Built Environment (BE) sector to strengthen our BE professions. At the same time, BCA is pressing on with efforts to improve liveability in private developments. Second Minister for Finance and National Development Indranee Rajah outlined these initiatives at the MND Committee of Supply Debate today.

Strengthening our BE Professions

BE professionals are pivotal to Singapore's development.¹ As Singapore continuously refreshes our buildings and infrastructure to optimise the use of our limited land, the BE sector offers exciting and rewarding careers to shape Singapore's future. For example, the industry expects to require at least 1,000 new architects and engineers annually, for the coming years as construction demand grows.

Thanks to the collective efforts of various BE sector stakeholders, encouraging progress has been made since the Taskforce for Architectural and Engineering Consultants launched its recommendations in September 2025.² Some of the key developments include:

a. Industry support for the INSPIRE Internship Programme that features deeper on-the-job learning, dedicated mentorship and higher starting salaries. SJ Group has already onboarded the first batch of 6 INSPIRE interns, while firms such as PH Consulting Pte Ltd, DCA Architects Pte Ltd, and Aedas Pte Ltd, have also committed to the programme. The Professional Engineers Board (PEB) and Board of Architects (BOA) will also recognise relevant pre-graduation internship work experience as qualifying practical experience towards professional registration.

b. Continued focus on quality-based procurement following the expansion of the Reduced Fee Score to cover public sector projects up to $100 million. Since the launch of the Reduced Fee Score, 10 out of 11 project tenders have been awarded to bids with the highest quality scores. This move is expected to help discourage unsustainable fee diving, allow firms to focus on delivering value and quality, and provide firms with more resources to invest in human capital and business transformation.

c. Clear resolve to improve workplace well-being, with over 50 firms and service buyers committing to the Built Environment Culture of Appreciation, Respect and Empathy (BE CARE) Charter that outlines best practices to develop more collaborative relationships amongst project teams and safeguard well-being for all.

Building on this positive momentum, the Government will be partnering the industry to uplift the Quantity Surveying profession. Quantity Surveyors (QSes) play critical roles within the consultant team to ensure smooth delivery of projects and it is critical to ensure that our Quantity Surveying profession will be able to support our ambitious building plans.³ BCA has established a dedicated workgroup comprising industry representatives, service buyers, Institutes of Higher Learning, and relevant agencies, to study and propose recommendations to strengthen the Quantity Surveying profession through leveraging emerging technologies, strengthening talent pipelines and professional competencies, as well as enhancing the value proposition that QSes bring to project teams.

Improving Liveability in Private Developments

Additionally, measures to improve liveability in private developments will be studied. BCA is reviewing the Building (Strata Management) Act to enhance the management of strata-titled residential developments. The review includes key areas such as supporting Management Corporation Strata Titles (MCSTs) to maintain adequate sinking funds to upkeep and upgrade their estates, and equipping MCSTs to run their estates better. The public consultation on the draft amendments will be conducted from 9 March to 8 April 2026 through the REACH platform. BCA encourages residents living in private residential developments and the wider public to provide their feedback.

BCA is also reviewing the Accessibility Fund scheme. Introduced in 2007, the Accessibility Fund aims to encourage building owners to upgrade their properties with accessibility and universal design features to better support our seniors, persons with disabilities, and families through voluntary upgrading works. As part of this review, BCA is exploring widening the range of eligible features under the Accessibility Fund, such as active ageing and dementia-friendly installations, as well as expanding the eligibility criteria to enable more existing buildings to benefit from the support.

To ensure lifts and escalators meet modern safety standards, BCA is studying measures to enhance the safety of older lifts and escalators, such as the inclusion of safety features that help regulate their speed and movement. BCA is also exploring providing co-funding support to eligible private building owners and operators for selected essential safety features. Further details will be announced when ready.

Issued by the Building and Construction Authority on 4 March 2026

¹ Examples include engineers, architects, project directors, and construction managers. Their involvement spans across the entire development process, from initial design through construction and into post-construction.

² The Taskforce was co-chaired by Ms. Indranee Rajah, Second Minister for National Development and Mr. Chaly Mah, Chairman of SJ Group, and comprised industry representatives. The Taskforce aimed to ensure Singapore maintains a robust pipeline of skilled BE professionals and capable firms to deliver the nation's infrastructure needs. Please refer to go.gov.sg/bca-aetaskforce-fullreport for the Taskforce's recommendations.

Annexes

Annex A: Encouraging Progress in Implementation of Taskforce for Architectural and Engineering Consultants' Recommendations

Annex B: Workgroup To Advance the Quantity Surveying Profession

Annex C: Public Consultation on Proposed Amendments to The Building (Strata Management) Act

Annex D: Review Of the Accessibility Fund

Annex E: Enhancements To Lift and Escalator Systems