28th March 2011

ES2007 Project Proposal Liu Hao(A0073253L)

Tan Zheng Kuang (U076912A)Goh Eng Wei (U090290)

Lin Yongping Watson (U084703H)

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ES2007S ROOFTOP RECREATION

i. Personal Statement

The project proposal was conceptualized and formulated by Team RoofTech. Their project

proposal is in collaboration with the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore.

The Members

Name: Goh Eng Wei

Eng Wei is currently an undergraduate at the National University of

Singapore (NUS) undertaking a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer

Engineering. Being heavily involved in mountain climbing, Eng Wei

has a high appreciation of the environment and encourages the

development of green rooftops.

Name: Tan Zheng Kuang

Zheng Kuang is a final year student at NUS completing his

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Having a great interest

in the ingenuity of the design of rooftop space into places for recreation,

Zheng Kuang wishes that Singapore’s rooftops can be utilized to the

maximum.

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Name: Liu Hao

Liu Hao is into his first year Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical

Engineering. As an international view, he expects to see Singapore to

pioneer more global changes in space utilization.

Name: Watson Lin

Watson is a third year undergraduate of Engineering at NUS

studying Mechanical Engineering. Believing strongly that the lack of

green space in Singapore is a barrier to Singaporeans attaining the

highest level of the quality of life, Watson strongly believes in having

more recreational land space for Singaporeans. Having the rooftops

available for recreational use will eventually lead to the increase in

green space of Singapore.

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Contents

i. Personal Statement................................................................................................................1

The Members.............................................................................................................................1

1. Abstract......................................................................................................................................5

2. Background................................................................................................................................5

3. Description of main issue...........................................................................................................6

Land Scarcity.............................................................................................................................6

Accessibility...............................................................................................................................6

The Rooftop Solution.................................................................................................................6

4. Problem Statement.....................................................................................................................7

5. Purpose Statement......................................................................................................................8

6. Proposed Solution......................................................................................................................8

7. Concerns.....................................................................................................................................8

Fencing.......................................................................................................................................9

Lightning Risk............................................................................................................................9

Security......................................................................................................................................9

8. Plan of Action..........................................................................................................................10

Preliminary Planning................................................................................................................10

Negotiations with HDB and Contractors/Vendors...................................................................10

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Feedback and approval from residents.....................................................................................10

Actual Construction or flat upgrading.....................................................................................10

Promoting of Facilities.............................................................................................................11

9. Benefits....................................................................................................................................11

10. Methodology..........................................................................................................................13

11. Bibliography...........................................................................................................................14

Appendix A – Survey Results......................................................................................................16

Appendix B – Interview with A/P Chew Soon Hoe....................................................................20

Appendix C – Email Interview with Mayor CDC.......................................................................21

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1. Abstract

This proposal intends increase the quality of life of Singaporeans. This is targeted as our problem of

interest. A solution to this problem identified is to create more land space for use of recreational

facilities. However, the approach identified is with two main problems of land scarcity and

inaccessibility issues. Singapore being a small country has little land space to offer, hence it is

difficult to offer any increase in space for recreational purposes. To fulfill our ultimate aim of

increasing the quality of life of Singaporeans, recreational facilities built must also be accessible

and convenient. Our proposed method is to use the existing rooftops on top of HDB flats. This

approach looks to utilize space which is untapped. This is a much better alternative as compared to

land reclamation as it also enables us to offer to Singaporeans convenience due to its easy

accessibility. The space available could be used for many possibilities; however, after taking into

consideration of the current design of our rooftops, our group has proposed that only barbeque

(BBQ) pits and gardens be placed.

2. Background

Singapore is a small nation with a limited amount of space for development to house its ever

growing population. To deal with this problem, Singapore has been trying to reclaim land as well as

made many innovative constructions like the Housing Development Board (HDB) flats. The HDB

flats in particular have allowed Singapore to house its huge population with a relatively small

amount of land space used. Despite this, as we look to improve the quality of life of Singaporeans,

there is a need for greater land space for recreational use. More so, the land space must be readily

accessible to the residents from the various communities of Singapore.

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3. Description of main issue

Despite the need to have land space readily available and accessible to Singaporeans, it is also

difficult to have it. The reasons for such difficulty are listed below.

Land Scarcity

The first reason for it being difficult is that land is scarce in Singapore. Given the high population

density of Singapore, this problem is accentuated when there is a lack of recreational space to

accommodate the community at large. An ideal solution would be to get the land space for the

different activities for the different age groups within the community to be situated nearby to cater

to all.

Accessibility

The second reason focuses on the term accessibility; to be easy and convenient for Singaporeans to

reach. Many Singaporeans live in HDB flats nowadays. The locations of these flats do not always

next to a park but most of the time, they are near to schools, transportation or shopping centers, as

these would give convenience to the residents. However as we look to increase the quality of life to

Singaporeans, recreation must be a convenience to them. If it becomes inconvenient, it is

unattractive. Likewise, to improve the quality of life for Singaporeans, it must be accessible to

Singaporeans as well.

The Rooftop Solution

These two major reasons give rise to our proposed solution of using the space on top of rooftops for

recreational purposes.

Firstly, this solution goes to aid us in using our untapped land area to house areas for recreation.

Singapore is able to approach this problem by reclaiming land. However, the limit which our

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country can reclaim land is within its territorial waters, and even this presents conflict to her

neighbors (“Issues...”, n.d.). However, usage of the untapped land area of the roofs allows us to

look around the problems faced of trying to increase the land area of Singapore.

Another reason for this solution is that the usage of the rooftops is convenient. According to Dr

Mah Bow Tan, minister for national development, 80 percent of our Singaporeans live in HDB flats

and 95 percent of them owning their homes (Tan, 2010). Since majority of our country’s citizens

live in HDB building, having rooftop recreational facilities would mean that residents of HDB flats

have an easy access to the areas where they can rest and relax themselves without having to travel

great distances.

4. Problem Statement

To improve the life of Singaporeans, we have found that recreational land space and greenery is

important. The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore (URA) released statistics in 2010

showing that green space was one of the top five aspects important to Singaporeans, an indication

of their value (URA, 2010). In conjunction with this, the URA has also begun to release a string of

initiatives to encourage private land developers to build on rooftop gardens (URA, 2009).

To fulfill our primary aim of improving the quality of life of Singaporeans, our study aims to

emphasize the need to convert existing untapped land area of the rooftops of HDB flats.

Furthermore, we also would like to suggest some ways we could go about the usage of the rooftops.

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5. Purpose Statement

Currently in Singapore, only a few buildings in Singapore enjoy this feature. The

Pinnacle@Duxton, Changi General Hospital and Loof (rooftop bar) are just a few of the success

stories which have transformed rooftops into areas for recreational use. Given the great need of

Singapore for land space, usage of the large amount of space available on the rooftops of

Singapore’s HDB flats would look promising.

This proposal aims to identify the public need for such places and the possible uses of the rooftop

for recreational activity. This approach is to increase the amount of land space available to

Singaporeans which will increase our quality of life. This proposal will also include the different

benefits and the foreseen limitations to this suggested solution.

6. Proposed Solution

In order to resolve the issues that we have posed above, our group is proposing the construction of

rooftop recreational facilities on HDB flats. Specifically we have identified a combination of

gardens, BBQ pits and small function rooms.

7. Concerns

Weight Loading

The main concern for the usage of the roof tops are weight loading issues. From our interview with

A/P Chew Soon Hoe, we learnt that main objective of the HDB flats’ rooftops are to act as a shelter

from the weather. Rooftops are generally designed to be less load bearing and thinner compared to

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a normal level in a building. Activities which have people running and jumping around are also not

recommended as these will increase the load on the roof compared to a person walking. Due to

these loading issues, the number of people using the roof at one time and the objects placed on the

roof need to be carefully considered so the loading limit will not be exceeded. Design

considerations must be included to minimize such problems. These issues are mainly centric to

current flat upgrading of rooftops.

Fencing   

Next, since the roof will be made accessible to the public, we can expect people of all ages from

children to grown adults to visit the rooftop. Hence, fencing is required to guard against accidents

of people falling off rooftops.

Lightning Risk

Lightning rods need to be increased so as to protect people from lightning. Since the function of

lightning rods are to be preferentially struck rather than parts of the building, lightning rods are

required to be located higher than top level of the building. If we were to use the rooftop for

activities, these lightning rods must be placed even higher to protect the users from lightning risks.

At the same time, there should be lightning warning alarms and posted warning against use of the

rooftops during poor weather conditions.

Security

From our survey (Appendix A), most residents have concerns about the security in the apartment

due to increased amount of people passing by their flats on the way to the rooftops. This can be

improved by installing Close Circuit Television monitors (CCTV) on the rooftops to ensure that no

illicit activities are being done on the rooftops.

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8. Plan of Action

Preliminary Planning

The first phase of implementation will primarily be invested in the careful planning of the facilities.

Several factors will be placed into consideration in the execution of the plan and they are namely

costs involved, architectural suitability for construction or upgrading and predicted benefits to

targeted accommodation.

Negotiations with HDB and Contractors

The next stage will bring the project into the negotiation phase with HDB and other civil

engineering or contractor firms. There will be project deliberations with HDB on its feasibility and

identify the flats which are suitable for rooftop upgrade and also draft up plans for installation of

rooftop facilities to the new and upcoming HDB estates.

Following this, a tender for bid by external architectural and related contractors will be put up (For

example gardening, facility maintenance). After the contractors are selected, construction plans will

be drafted out.

Feedback and approval from residents

Feedback will be gathered from the residents on their willingness to upgrade their rooftops and

also to allow them to select the kind of facilities they prefer to be situated accessible on their

rooftops. The feedback from the residents will be gathered and this will impact the eventual

execution of the upgrading and also influence the kind of facilities that will be upgraded to.

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Actual Construction or flat upgrading

Construction will basically be of two types, namely flat upgrading and ground up constructions (for

new HDB flats). Flat upgrading will have more stringent criteria in terms of work hours of workers,

maintenance of construction site, noise generation levels, security of the flats(due to laborer traffic

in and out of the building).

Promoting of Facilities

Upon the completion of the upgrading, the town council can organize events on the rooftops to

announce the opening of these facilities. They can then encourage people to have their dancing,

karate lesson to be done on the roof top. Using the notice board in each HDB flat, we can have a

directory which specifies which block of flats and the corresponding facilities available on the

rooftops.

9. Benefits

For the current HDB flats, our group plan to promote rooftop recreational facilities such as rooftop

gardens, rooftop BBQ pits and rooftop exercise machineries for senior citizens. The Mayor of the

North West District also welcomes such activities to be placed onto the HDB flats’ rooftops.

These are chosen because these facilities do not involve large group of people thus the load added

will be minimal. These facilities can preserve their function as a rooftop while providing more

recreation to the people as these facilities are outdoors. Our survey results (Appendix A) too

showed a general greater appeal towards rooftop gardens, rooftop BBQ pits and function rooms as

compared to sports facilities which we have decided to opt out of.   

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Rooftop gardens can too increase the green area among HDB and people can take a stroll in their

free time. Plants can provide air with better quality and reduce the temperature of HDB effectively

(Dickinson, n.d.) . Rooftop BBQ pits can provide more spaces for families and friends to gather and

spend their weekends and free time together. This helps to promote social cohesion not only

amongst family and friends but also within the HDB community.

With these facilities on the roof top, similar facilities on the ground can be replaced with other

facilities like tennis court, street soccer court or basketball court. This further resolves the spatial

issues and problems we raised in the problem statement.

The construction of such recreational facilities on the rooftops of HDB too serves to encourage

better Work-Life balance and social cohesion amongst Singapore citizens. Encouraged by the

minister of development, Dr Mah Bow Tan, our public housing should also promote social

cohesion and work life balance (Tan, 2010). With the relocation of recreational facilities to within

closer proximity and with such novelty would help bring about a more balanced lifestyle for hectic

Singaporeans.

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10. Methodology

The main approach we adopted to gathering primary research on the topic was through two

interviews and one survey to collect useful information for our project.

The first interview was with a civil engineering professor from NUS, Assistant Professor Chew

Soon Hoe, to know more about the feasibility and viability of building rooftop structures on top of

existing HDB rooftops. A/P Chew Soon Hoe also gave us insight to the different limitations

involved in the implementation of the project.

The second interview was with the Mayor of the North West Community Development Council, Dr

Teo Ho Pin. Being the mayor of the North West District, he was able to help us by reaffirming our

direction into the development of our rooftop spaces to better benefit Singaporeans.

Our survey was also conducted to collect information of public to get their opinions on the rooftop

facilities we are proposing. The survey was also made in place to assist us in streamlining our

different proposed recreational facilities.

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11. Bibliography

Dickinson, M. (n.d.). http://www.servicemagic.com/article.show.Stunning-Roof-Gardens-Also-

Have-Beautiful-Advantages.13550.html. Retrieved march 02, 2011, from Servicemagic:

http://www.servicemagic.com/article.show.Stunning-Roof-Gardens-Also-Have-Beautiful-

Advantages.13550.html

Greenroofs.com. (2010). Changi General Hospital. Retrieved march 10, 2011, from

Greenroof.com: http://www.greenroofs.com/projects/pview.php?id=565

Group, T. L. (2011). Loof. Retrieved March 05, 2011, from Loof:

http://www.loof.com.sg/rooftopbar/

HDB. (2011, Jan 28). Number of Resale Applications Registered by Flat Type. Retrieved Mar

10, 2011, from HDB InfoWEB:

http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10321p.nsf/w/BuyResaleFlatNumberofResaleApplications?

OpenDocument

No Author. (No Date). Issues regarding Singapore's Land Reclamation Works. Retrieved

March 10, 2011, from http://thisisfetish.tripod.com/id25.html

Pinnacle@Duxton. (2011). Overview of 26th and 50th Storey Skybridges. Retrieved march 01,

2011, from The Pinnacle@Duxton: http://www.pinnacleduxton.com.sg/skybridge.php

Tan, M. B. (2010, January 28). Singapore Sees Sustainable Development And Public Housing

As Priority. Retrieved March 03, 2011, from Gov Monitor:

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http://www.thegovmonitor.com/world_news/asia/singapore-sees-sustainable-development-and-

public-housing-as-priority-22469.html

Tanya. (2008, October 01). Greenery in Campus Boosts Learning and Quality of Life Among

Students. Retrieved March 03, 2011, from Medindia: http://www.medindia.net/news/Greenery-in-

Campus-Boosts-Learning-and-Quality-of-Life-Among-Students-42473-1.htm

URA. (2009, April 29). CIRCULAR PACKAGE TO PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES. Retrieved

March 19, 2011, from Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore:

http://www.ura.gov.sg/circulars/text/lushprogramme.htm

URA. (2010). URA Lifestyle Survey 2009. Retrieved March 18, 2011, from Urban

Redevelopment Authority: http://spring.ura.gov.sg/conceptplan2011/results/Report%20-

%20Lifestyle%20Survey%20and%20Online%20Survey.pdf

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Appendix A – Survey Results

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Appendix B – Interview with A/P Chew Soon Hoe

Questions for Interview

1. Do you think the extensive structural implementation of Rooftop Recreational facilities like function rooms, BBQ pits, and tennis courts are feasible and why? What facilities are implementable then?

2. What kinds of structures are possible for such rooftop recreational facilities implementation?

3. What implications for costs are there for such Rooftop Recreational facilities? How about safety?

3. Are there any ways to improve the structure of high rise buildings such that they are able to accommodate for such facilities?

4. What future prospects do you think there are for rooftop utilization?

Interview summary

Feasibility

Rooftop are not design to take took much load. There are ways to increase the loading capacity of rooftop but requires a lot of money and will affect the waterproof ability of the rooftop.

Building of function room may not be feasible as it is just like adding a new level to the building. Building of temporal tents on roof but meant for permanent use is illegal.   

Activities which requires less people running around are feasible. So BBQ pit, gardens are feasible.

Tennis court may not be feasible as rooftop are slightly inclined for water drainage. A jack up system may be used to increase the accessibility of the roof it is much cheaper than building a lift.  

Safety

Rooftop needs to be fenced up. Lighting rod needs to be raised to so that the rods are higher when the people are using it.

Number of people going to the rooftop needs to be limited so that the top will not over load.

Other possible ways  

Instead of building new things we can shift things etc. Move gardens to rooftop such that the empty land can be used for sports facilities like basketball court.

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Appendix C – Email Interview with Mayor CDC

1) Taking reference to Condominiums in Singapore, do you think that HDB flat locations require

more space to build more recreational facilities? Why?

HDB estates have a good range of recreational facilities.

2) Generally, how open are residents of HDB flats towards the idea of upgrading works in their

HDB? Do you think roof upgrading works will be more or less welcomed?

Residents welcome upgrading works including roof upgrading.

3) Other than lift upgrading and sheltered pathway is there any other upgrade intended for HDB

flats?

- Home Improvement Programme

- Neighbourhood Renewal Programme

- SERS

4) Given the limited land space available in Singapore, do you think the use of rooftops of HDB

flats would be a good location for the development for recreational purposes?Yes, especially roof gardens

5) What are the various concerns that the government will have concerning the possibility of usage

of rooftop space for recreational purposes by the public?

Safety.

6) Given the current limitations to home Ownership, if rooftops for recreational use were open, do

you foresee an increase in demand for HDB housing as compared to Condominiums?

No.

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