reporter2
03-09-14, 20:36
http://www.straitstimes.com/archive/wednesday/premium/money/story/developers-keep-residents-the-loop-20140827
Developers keep residents in the loop
Updates given, feedback sought at community meetings on new projects
Published on Aug 27, 2014 1:42 AM
By Rennie Whang
NEW rules that require developers to keep residents informed about upcoming construction work have prompted some firms to go the extra mile and undertake full community consultations.
GuocoLand took this approach on Aug 17 when it held a discussion and feedback session with residents near a 2.3ha Sims Drive residential plot it acquired in April.
The session at Aljunied restaurant Fansida Wine and Dine was the first time GuocoLand had sought public input on such a scale, a company spokesman said.
He added that details of the project were not discussed, as the survey sessions are meant to "gather feedback, ideas and suggestions for consideration in our product development."
Invitations were sent through fliers and word of mouth, and close to 30 people turned up that day.
"People who are familiar with the location shared that they like it due to its convenience and high connectivity," said the GuocoLand spokesman.
"Those who are not living within the vicinity are aware of the potential of this interesting neighbourhood."
Its move follows a ruling from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) last October that made public communications a requirement for selected sites put out for tender under the Government Land Sales (GLS) programme.
Developers must inform residents within a 100m radius of a site of its development plans.
The ruling applies to all GLS sites sold in predominantly residential areas.
The spokesman added: "Given the URA requirements, we decided to take the opportunity to ensure that when we do the project, it is something that people would like."
GuocoLand said it has conducted smaller versions of such sessions in the past, adding that feedback allows it to better understand the community's needs.
Suggestions over its Goodwood Residence development in Bukit Timah Road, for example, have been taken into consideration.
"(This) helps us develop our product to better fit into the landscape of the existing location... (It) also allows us to engage the local communities such as schools and community clubs and support our CSR (corporate social responsibility) efforts."
Century 21 chief executive Ku Swee Yong noted that residents may alert developers on the timing of school sessions in the area, to minimise vehicles moving in and out of construction sites during peak hours.
He added that developers have already been actively reaching out at sites with difficult vehicle access.
"But, of course, given the state of the market, a developer needs to do even more public outreach - to get to know a neighbourhood and tell them to watch out for a new development.
"It might be something (the residents) could be interested in."
Far East Organization, which acquired a 1.9ha Woodlands Square commercial site in April, is understood to be likely to engage the residents as GuocoLand had done.
It had been engaging the community for previous developments before the new rules kicked in, but mostly on the level of meeting with People's Association or community club groups in the vicinity.
EL Development's managing director, Mr Lim Yew Soon, said the public communications regulations have delayed construction of its project - earmarked for a 2.1ha Yishun residential site it acquired in March - by about a month.
But as only one block of flats are in the vicinity, the cost of outreach is not too great, he added.
The developer sent out two rounds of fliers to residents to request feedback, although none has been received yet.
"Typical problems raised by neighbours have already been resolved by other provisions in tender documents, such as rules on vehicle access to the land parcels and access to bin centres," Mr Lim noted.
UOL, which acquired two residential sites in Prince Charles Crescent and Upper Paya Lebar Road this year, said it is still in the early stages, but has "rolled out initial communication as required".
Other developers that do not yet have sites subject to the new rules have nevertheless been reaching out to residents.
A Keppel Land spokesman said it forms a team for every project to address feedback from the public and residents.
Project updates and progress reports are also provided on a regular basis to keep residents informed, such as through the distribution of fliers, she said.
[email protected]
Developers keep residents in the loop
Updates given, feedback sought at community meetings on new projects
Published on Aug 27, 2014 1:42 AM
By Rennie Whang
NEW rules that require developers to keep residents informed about upcoming construction work have prompted some firms to go the extra mile and undertake full community consultations.
GuocoLand took this approach on Aug 17 when it held a discussion and feedback session with residents near a 2.3ha Sims Drive residential plot it acquired in April.
The session at Aljunied restaurant Fansida Wine and Dine was the first time GuocoLand had sought public input on such a scale, a company spokesman said.
He added that details of the project were not discussed, as the survey sessions are meant to "gather feedback, ideas and suggestions for consideration in our product development."
Invitations were sent through fliers and word of mouth, and close to 30 people turned up that day.
"People who are familiar with the location shared that they like it due to its convenience and high connectivity," said the GuocoLand spokesman.
"Those who are not living within the vicinity are aware of the potential of this interesting neighbourhood."
Its move follows a ruling from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) last October that made public communications a requirement for selected sites put out for tender under the Government Land Sales (GLS) programme.
Developers must inform residents within a 100m radius of a site of its development plans.
The ruling applies to all GLS sites sold in predominantly residential areas.
The spokesman added: "Given the URA requirements, we decided to take the opportunity to ensure that when we do the project, it is something that people would like."
GuocoLand said it has conducted smaller versions of such sessions in the past, adding that feedback allows it to better understand the community's needs.
Suggestions over its Goodwood Residence development in Bukit Timah Road, for example, have been taken into consideration.
"(This) helps us develop our product to better fit into the landscape of the existing location... (It) also allows us to engage the local communities such as schools and community clubs and support our CSR (corporate social responsibility) efforts."
Century 21 chief executive Ku Swee Yong noted that residents may alert developers on the timing of school sessions in the area, to minimise vehicles moving in and out of construction sites during peak hours.
He added that developers have already been actively reaching out at sites with difficult vehicle access.
"But, of course, given the state of the market, a developer needs to do even more public outreach - to get to know a neighbourhood and tell them to watch out for a new development.
"It might be something (the residents) could be interested in."
Far East Organization, which acquired a 1.9ha Woodlands Square commercial site in April, is understood to be likely to engage the residents as GuocoLand had done.
It had been engaging the community for previous developments before the new rules kicked in, but mostly on the level of meeting with People's Association or community club groups in the vicinity.
EL Development's managing director, Mr Lim Yew Soon, said the public communications regulations have delayed construction of its project - earmarked for a 2.1ha Yishun residential site it acquired in March - by about a month.
But as only one block of flats are in the vicinity, the cost of outreach is not too great, he added.
The developer sent out two rounds of fliers to residents to request feedback, although none has been received yet.
"Typical problems raised by neighbours have already been resolved by other provisions in tender documents, such as rules on vehicle access to the land parcels and access to bin centres," Mr Lim noted.
UOL, which acquired two residential sites in Prince Charles Crescent and Upper Paya Lebar Road this year, said it is still in the early stages, but has "rolled out initial communication as required".
Other developers that do not yet have sites subject to the new rules have nevertheless been reaching out to residents.
A Keppel Land spokesman said it forms a team for every project to address feedback from the public and residents.
Project updates and progress reports are also provided on a regular basis to keep residents informed, such as through the distribution of fliers, she said.
[email protected]