# Govt reviewing GFA guidelines, looking to speed up clearances for start of works; eyes night-time economy - **Source:** EdgeProp Singapore - **Published:** 2026-09-22T14:25:02.000Z - **Author:** EdgeProp Singapore - **Original:** https://www.edgeprop.sg/property-news/govt-reviewing-gfa-guidelines-looking-speed-clearances-start-works-eyes-night-time-economy - **Topics:** Government & Policy ## Featured rationale The changes signal stronger regulatory support for developer efficiency and heat-resilient design, potentially reducing project delays and costs while encouraging more adaptable mixed-use developments. ## AI summary Singapore is reviewing GFA guidelines and CoreNet X requirements to give developers greater design flexibility and accelerate clearances for starting construction works. ## Original article The Singapore government is reviewing a range of rules and regulatory processes as part of efforts to reduce friction for businesses and create a more pro-enterprise environment. For the property sector, these include a review of gross floor area (GFA) guidelines, as well as streamlining requirements that could allow property developers to start works sooner. The government is also looking to further develop the night-time economy in parts of Singapore, including the downtown area. Read also: Civil engineering AI firm wins regional edition of world's largest construction startup competition Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat gave the updates at the Singapore Corporate Awards on Sept 21, as he outlined ongoing efforts to give businesses greater flexibility, save time and costs, and respond more quickly to market opportunities. Chee is also deputy chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Pro-Enterprise Rules Review. More design flexibility, heat resilience features In response to industry feedback, Chee has asked URA to relook its GFA guidelines to give property developers more design flexibility for buildings, as well as to encourage building features that support heat resilience and thermal comfort. The review is ongoing, and more details will be provided at a later date. Marcus Chu, CEO of real estate agency ERA Singapore, said this is timely as “Singapore is entering a phase where we need to think not just about how much we build, but how effectively we use every parcel of land”. Greater flexibility in how floor space is treated can allow developers to be more creative in how they design and use spaces — be it through better communal areas, greenery, shade, ventilation, connectivity or a more thoughtful mix of uses, Chu added. This principle is already being reflected in Singapore’s urban development, such as with the rejuvenation of Marina Square. The 9.2ha complex’s partial redevelopment shows how greater development intensity can be accompanied by a broader mix of uses and public-facing spaces, rather than simply more floor area, Chu said. “Similarly, the CBD Incentive Scheme has encouraged the transformation of older office developments into more diverse, mixed-use neighbourhoods with residential, hospitality, community and lifestyle uses,” he continued. Read also: New virtual site inspection process could cut TOP approval time by up to two months Streamlining requirements on CoreNet X At the same time, the government is continuing to take in industry feedback to further improve the CoreNet X platform, which digitalises building regulatory processes and consolidates over 20 regulatory touchpoints across multiple agencies. CoreNet X became mandatory in October last year for projects with GFAs above 30,000 sq m (322,917 sq ft). One area being reviewed is how to streamline upfront requirements at the Design Gateway stage, to speed up key clearances for activities such as the commencement of works. “I know this is important for our developers, because you want to start selling your units as soon as possible,” Chee said. “We want to help you achieve this goal, while ensuring that the subsequent steps of the entire construction process can also proceed smoothly down the line.” The Building and Construction Authority will share more details with the industry when ready. Plans to grow night-time economy On the rejuvenation of Boat Quay, Upper Circular Road and Clarke Quay, the minister noted that following the one-year pilot, the authorities have formalised the measures. Read also: Additional $112 mil funding, latest Green Mark version to further transform Singapore’s built environment These include the lifting of pub, bar and nightclub use restrictions, and extending liquor licensing hours to provide room for new concepts and strengthen night-time vibrancy in those precincts. “We intend to go further in developing the night-time economy in certain parts of Singapore, including the downtown area,” Chee added. These plans would cover a wider range of night-time activities, including sports, music, arts and cultural performances, beyond the sale of alcohol. “Sale of alcohol will still be part of our night-time economy, but I think it can be more diversified than just alcohol,” Chee said. “We can have a range of different activities, cater to different groups of people, to enjoy the downtown area with their friends and families.” ## Chinese translation > Translation model: grok_cli ### 政府正检讨总楼面面积（GFA）指引，拟加快开工审批；着眼夜间经济 总楼面面积指引正在检讨中，以赋予房地产开发商更大的设计灵活性，并鼓励抗热韧性 新加坡政府正在检讨一系列规则与监管流程，作为减少企业营商阻力、营造更亲商环境的努力的一部分。 对房地产领域而言，这包括检讨总楼面面积（GFA）指引，以及简化相关要求，使房地产开发商能够更早开工。 政府亦希望在新加坡部分地区进一步发展夜间经济，包括市中心一带。 延伸阅读：土木工程人工智能公司赢得全球最大建筑初创企业竞赛的区域赛 国家发展部长徐芳达9月21日在新加坡企业奖（Singapore Corporate Awards）上公布了这些最新进展，并概述了正在推进的工作，以期赋予企业更大灵活性、节省时间与成本，并更迅速地回应市场机遇。 徐芳达亦担任亲商规则检讨跨部门委员会副主席。 更大的设计灵活性、抗热韧性特性 因应业界反馈，徐芳达已要求市区重建局（URA）重新审视其总楼面面积（GFA）指引，以赋予房地产开发商在建筑设计上更大的灵活性，并鼓励支持抗热韧性与热舒适的建筑特性。 检讨正在进行中，更多详情将于稍后公布。 房地产代理公司ERA新加坡首席执行官Marcus Chu表示，此举正当其时，因为“新加坡正进入一个阶段，我们需要思考的不仅是建多少，更是如何有效使用每一幅土地”。 Chu补充说，在楼面空间的处理方式上给予更大灵活性，可以让发展商在设计和利用空间时更有创意——无论是通过更完善的公共区域、绿化、遮荫、通风、连通性，还是更用心的用途组合。 这一原则已体现在新加坡的城市发展中，例如滨海广场（Marina Square）的更新改造。Chu说，这座9.2公顷综合体的部分重建表明，更高的发展强度可以伴随着更广泛的用途组合和面向公众的空间，而不只是增加楼面面积。 “同样，中央商务区激励计划（CBD Incentive Scheme）已鼓励将较旧的办公发展项目转型为更多元的混合用途社区，涵盖住宅、酒店、社区及生活方式用途，”他继续说道。 延伸阅读：新的虚拟工地检查流程或可将临时入伙准证（TOP）审批时间缩短最多两个月 简化CoreNet X上的要求 与此同时，政府继续吸纳业界反馈，以进一步改进CoreNet X平台。该平台将建筑监管流程数字化，并整合了多个机构逾20个监管接触点。 CoreNet X自去年10月起，对总楼面面积超过30,000平方米（322,917平方英尺）的项目强制适用。 正在检讨的一个领域，是如何简化设计关口（Design Gateway）阶段的前置要求，以加快开工等活动的关键审批。 “我知道这对我们的发展商很重要，因为你们希望尽快开始销售单位，”徐芳达说。 “我们希望帮助你们实现这一目标，同时确保整个建造过程的后续步骤日后也能顺利进行。” 建设局（Building and Construction Authority）将在准备就绪后，向业界公布更多详情。 发展夜间经济的计划 就驳船码头（Boat Quay）、上圆形路（Upper Circular Road）和克拉码头（Clarke Quay）的更新改造，部长指出，在为期一年的试点之后，有关当局已将这些措施正式确立。 延伸阅读：额外1亿1200万新元资金、最新版绿色标志（Green Mark），以进一步改造新加坡的建筑环境 这些措施包括解除酒馆、酒吧及夜总会的用途限制，并延长酒类执照时间，为新概念腾出空间，加强这些地段的夜间活力。 “我们打算在发展新加坡部分地区的夜间经济上更进一步，包括市中心一带，”徐芳达补充说。 这些计划将涵盖更广泛的夜间活动，包括体育、音乐、艺术和文化表演，而不限于酒类销售。 “酒类销售仍将是我们夜间经济的一部分，但我认为它可以更加多元化，而不仅仅是酒，”徐芳达说。 “我们可以有一系列不同的活动，照顾不同群体，让他们与朋友和家人一起享受市中心。”