{"data":{"news":{"items":[{"title":"Singapore’s construction demand projected to recover to S$23-28 bil","date":"2021-01-18 15:18:13","id":2624,"author":"","blurb":"","blurb_image_uid":"https://dxfpracgmlczp.cloudfront.net/2021/01/1611022408640_1610958887038_Singapore-Industrialsite-2.jpg","blurb_expanded_image_uid":null,"article":"\n\t\n\n\n

Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) projects the local construction demand to total between S$23 and S$28 billion in 2021, an improvement from the S$21.3 billion (preliminary estimate) in 2020 during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. This announcement was made today (18 Jan) at the annual BCA-REDAS Built Environment and Property Prospects Seminar.

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The public sector is expected to contribute about 65% of this year’s total demand, ranging from S$15 to S$18 billion, with an anticipated stronger demand for public housing and infrastructure projects. Among the upcoming developments planned to be awarded in 2021 include various contracts under the Jurong Region MRT Line, the Cross Island MRT Line Phase 1, and the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System Phase 2.

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“There will also be around S$6 billion worth of smaller public sector projects which are less than S$100 million in contract value, such as cycling paths, parks, and upgrading works,” revealed Desmond Lee, Singapore’s Minister for National Development, who was guest of honour at the event. “This is comparable with the annual average pre-Covid, and will benefit our smaller and mid-sized contractors.”

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The private sector construction demand is projected to vary between S$8 and S$10 billion. BCA forecasts that the bulk of the demand in 2021 will comprise development of the remaining en-bloc residential sites, major retrofitting of commercial developments, and also construction of high-specification industrial buildings to meet business needs.

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Furthermore, based on the contracts awarded in the past few years and considering the construction demand forecast for 2021, the total nominal construction output in 2021 is projected to increase to between S$24 and S$27 billion - from the estimated S$19.5 billion in 2020. According to BCA, an anticipated improvement in construction demand in 2021 and the backlog of remaining workloads impacted by the Covid-19 during 2020 will support the projected pickup in total construction output.

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BCA also explained that due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted project implementation schedules, the preliminary figure for construction demand in 2020 indicated a decline of 36.5% to S$21.3 billion. This was still within the Authority’s revised forecast of S$18 to $23 billion.

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The public sector construction demand dropped from S$19.0 billion in 2019 to S$13.2 billion in 2020, as some major infrastructure projects that required more time to assess the pandemic’s impact on resource management and project schedules, were postponed. “For example, the construction of Changi Airport Terminal 5 has been put on hold for two years, until we have more clarity on the future of air travel,” said Mr Lee.

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Meanwhile, the private sector construction demand decreased from S$14.5 billion in 2019 to S$8.1 billion in 2020, due to market uncertainties amid the Covid-induced economic recession, stated BCA.

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Forecast for 2022 to 2025

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BCA expects a steady improvement in local construction demand over the medium term. It is projected to reach between S$25 and S$32 billion per year from 2022 to 2025. According to Mr Lee, this forecast “has not taken into consideration potential new contracts for Changi Airport Terminal 5 and the expansion of the two Integrated Resorts, as these project timelines are still under review due to disruptions from Covid-19.”

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The public sector is expected to lead the demand and contributes S$14 to S$18 billion per year from 2022 to 2025, with similar proportions of demand coming from building projects and civil engineering works. These consist of public residential developments as well as large infrastructure and institutional projects such as the Cross Island MRT Line (Phases 2 and 3), the Downtown Line Extension to Sungei Kadut, the cycling path networks, the relocation of Singapore Science Centre, the Toa Payoh Integrated Development, the Alexandra Hospital redevelopment, and a new integrated hospital at Bedok.

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The private sector construction demand is expected to improve steadily in the medium term, added BCA, reaching between S$11 and S$14 billion per year from 2022 to 2025. “This is in anticipation of a gradual recovery of the global economy, contingent on the successful deployment and effectiveness of Covid-19 treatment and vaccines, as well as easing of lockdown restrictions.”

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Industry transformation through digitalisation

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Although 2020 was particularly challenging for the built environment sector, the industry has shown great resilience, said BCA. “The Covid-19 pandemic has necessitated the industry to rethink the way we build to overcome the challenges. BCA will continue to work with our industry partners, led by the trade associations and chambers (TACs), to accelerate industry transformation.”

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BCA further pointed out that the Alliance for Action (AfA) on Digitalising Built Environment, an industry-led and government-supported coalition, has identified digitalisation as an important enabler to help the industry build smarter. One of the initiatives introduced by the AfA is the introduction of a set of data standards for the Common Data Environment, which facilitates more seamless information flow for building projects across digital platforms shared by various building professionals and companies along the value chain.

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“The AfA targets to invite 300 leading firms in the industry to start adopting digital platforms based on the set of data standards,” said Mr Lee. “Firms can take advantage of funding from the Productivity Solutions Grant to do so. This will have a multiplier effect, as these firms will in turn bring the companies in their supply chains on board the digitalisation journey.”

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SMEs can tap on the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) to defray the costs of adopting digital solutions pre-approved by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) for the construction and facilities management sector, explained BCA. The funding will cover up to 80% of the qualifying cost until 30 September 2021, and subsequently, up to 70% until January 2023. SMEs can make multiple applications for use of different digital solutions subject to a firm level cap of S$30,000.

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The Singapore government has introduced the Built Environment Living Lab Framework (BE LLF) to facilitate test-bedding of innovative proposals in urban spaces and living environment, such as at Punggol Town and Jurong Lake Gardens. This initiative was officially launched on 29 September by Singapore’s Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and in the Ministry of National Development, Tan Kiat How.

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Speaking at ‘CEOs in Conversation’, the final plenary of the International Built Environment Week (IBEW) 2020, Mr Tan also announced the Skills Framework for Built Environment (BE), which aims to provide a common skills language for stakeholders in the sector. This initiative encapsulates comprehensive information about the BE sector, career pathways, occupations and job roles, skills and competencies required for each job role, as well as a list of training programmes available to help facilitate skills upgrading and mastery.

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Mr Tan highlighted that while almost all construction projects in Singapore have resumed, all stakeholders must stay united and vigilant in efforts to prevent a resurgence of Covid-19 infections. He stressed the need to reduce the sector’s reliance on a large foreign workforce in order to build greater resilience against future disruptions, adding that greater adoption of technology and innovation would help accelerate the sector’s transformation efforts, while at the same time creating higher skilled and better jobs in the sector.

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Built Environment Living Lab Framework

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The BE LLF allows firms in Singapore to test out new, innovative solutions that could benefit the local built environment sector. Interested parties can submit their proposals to the Built Environment Technology Alliance (BETA), which will be the ‘one-stop’ shop to manage all test-bedding proposals.

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Good proposals with innovative solutions and ready for deployment will be expedited for test-bedding in living spaces, where possible. To provide firms with greater confidence to innovate, the government will support firms to navigate regulatory clearance processes and, where necessary, introduce a ‘regulatory sandbox’ for proposals that may not be allowed under current regulations.

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“BETA helps bring industry stakeholders together to catalyse industry-led innovation and commercialisation of technology solutions. This will provide opportunities for our firms to increase their competitive advantage by translating their technology and innovation investments into enterprise-level capabilities,” explained Mr Tan.

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“Despite the outbreak of Covid-19, BETA has managed to engage over 30 firms, Institutes of Higher Learning and agencies. There are promising discussions with local companies like Pan United, Certis and Sembcorp Development to collaborate on advanced construction materials and digital initiatives. We hope to kick start these projects soon.”

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Skills Framework for Built Environment

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Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA), SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and Workforce Singapore (WSG) have worked closely with trade associations and chambers (TACs), unions, professional boards, employers and educational institutions, to develop the Skills Framework for Built Environment.

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“Transformation of the BE sector must be underpinned by a competent and skilled workforce,” stressed Mr Tan. “Industry transformation will create new job opportunities, but will also require some existing job roles to be redesigned to keep up with evolving trends. Hence, it is critical to ensure that our workers are equipped with the right skills and training to harness these new technologies in their work.”

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The Skills Framework for Built Environment covers 49 job roles in the BE sector, across eight career tracks such as architectural consultancy and design, engineering consultancy and design, and quantity surveying. It helps BE companies and existing professionals as well as prospective new employees to the sector identify career progression pathways and the skills needed to stay relevant, especially for new jobs arising from industry transformation that require new skills.

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For example, an individual interested in joining the sector as a digital delivery professional could use the framework to determine the skills and courses he or she needs for the job role. Another example is existing employees using the framework to understand the skills and training needed to upskill in digitalisation. BE firms can improve their capabilities and HR practices by taking reference from the Skills Framework for their recruitment and talent management strategies, as well as to provide more career advancement opportunities based on the skills and competencies of their employees.

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The Skills Framework identifies 163 existing and emerging technical skills and competencies to capture the evolving technology and industry trends, and its impact on jobs and skills in the sector. Education and training providers can use the framework to curate programmes that are aligned to the needs of the industry. For example, BCA Academy’s Diploma (Conversion) in Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) course under the SGUnited Skills programme can help jobseekers prepare for the role of specialist (digital delivery) as defined in the framework, or help existing BE professionals to upskill their knowledge in IDD.

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According to BCA, there are existing training programmes and upcoming new programmes that support industry transformation skills. A full list of training programmes with skills mapping will be ready by end 2020.

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The government is also working with relevant TACs to establish various accreditation schemes that align with the Skills Framework, said BCA. Moving forward, the Skills Framework and accreditation schemes can help employers and industry partners to better differentiate and identify individuals with the relevant skill sets when procuring BE services. More details will be made available when ready.

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Hugh Lim, CEO of BCA said, “We have seen the benefits of technology adoption and innovation in overcoming some of the challenges posed by Covid-19. Our firms must continue to embrace new innovations to remain competitive, and deal with challenges posed by Covid-19. As part of our industry transformation efforts for the built environment, we have been placing close attention and focus on ensuring good and meaningful jobs for Singaporeans.

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“The Skills Framework for Built Environment will support our collective desire to have a skilled and progressive workforce, to support our shared ambitions for the sector. Through industry transformation and innovation, anchored by a dedicated and capable core of Singaporeans, we will be able to overcome the current challenges and emerge stronger together.”

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More details on the BE LLF and to submit a proposal to BETA, click here.
\nMore details on the Skills Framework for Built Environment, click here.

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Four Professional Engineers in Singapore have won the BCA Design and Engineering Safety Awards 2020. These awards, given by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), honour the engineers and their teams for their innovative designs and engineering solutions to challenging projects.

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One of the winners, Engineer (Er.) Kam Mun Wai from Meinhardt (Singapore) Pte Ltd is recognised for his engineering solutions in the construction of the iconic Singapore Management University (SMU) Connexion, an on-site net-zero energy teaching block in the city.

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SMU Connexion is believed to be the first building in Singapore that incorporates a hybrid steel-cross laminated timber (CLT) floor system. This innovative solution was chosen for its quick and efficient installation process, in order to mitigate the challenges of onsite space constraints and construction in close proximity to existing occupied buildings.

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Er. Kam also used prefabricated modular column-beam steel frames for the main building structure. As the frames were designed to be self-supporting, the project team avoided the need for temporary propping during construction. The frames were also of a standard design, allowing faster and safer installation on site. The end result was substantial time savings and reduction of building costs, as there were no need for temporary works. Likewise, the use of CLT panels further reduced construction time as the panels were lightweight, prefabricated to actual dimensions and easy to install.

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Speaking during the press conference, Er. Kam explained that given the challenges, SMU Connexion could not be designed as a conventional building, due to its short construction duration. So the project team decided to adopt the DfMA (Design for Manufacturing and Assembly) concept on this development.

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In addition, Er. Kam and the project team had to overcome the challenge of constructing a two-storey link building over Fort Canning Link carriageway, which had to be temporarily closed for the building works to take place. The project team had to erect the structure quickly and safely, while minimising disruptions around the area. This was accomplished using a similar hybrid steel-CLT slab solution. As such, the project team avoided the need to erect temporary support structures over the carriageway.

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To support the building of the link, a pair of modified pratt trusses, spanning 27 m across the road, were employed. The lower segments of the trusses were meticulously designed and engineered to support incremental loads from the construction of the upper trusses, floor beams and CLT slab panels. This enabled the concurrent installation of the upper truss segments and CLT flooring. The entire link building structure was completed in a record time of seven days.

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Another winner, Er. Aaron Foong from KTP Consultants Pte Ltd - a member of Surbana Jurong - was the Professional Engineer in charge of the building works at the iconic Maxwell Chambers Suites, previously known as the Red Dot Traffic Building. A key challenge for Er. Foong was the construction of a 20-m overhead bridge linking the Maxwell Chambers Suites to the Maxwell Chambers.

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In order to support the additional load of the bridge, there was a need to strengthen the existing buildings. However, because both were conserved buildings, conventional strengthening methods such as adding new independent columns at the exterior or enlarging existing beams and columns to support the link bridge were not allowed, as these would alter the external facade of the buildings. An additional challenge included having to lay the foundation within the confines of an existing electrical substation that was in operation.

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Er. Foong devised an elegant solution by designing a novel Z-profile steel brace that could support both existing loads from the existing structures and the incremental loads from the new construction. When bonded with the integrated frame on the facade, this allowed the structural strengthening system to support the new overhead link bridge but without any modifications made to the exterior facade of the conserved buildings. This also enabled works to be done safely from the interior of the building.

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According to Er. Foong, the overhead link bridge is lightweight, weighing about 10 t, and was installed in just one night with the help of a mobile crane. He mentioned that prior to selecting the Z-profile steel brace solution, the team explored a number of options “but none of them could actually meet the very important purpose of preserving the heritage elements that we have.”

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Furthermore, Er. Foong implemented an innovative foundation strengthening solution within the live electrical substation, working within the tight working space of Maxwell Chambers. This was done by adding new micro-piles under the existing footing foundation. By making this careful modification, it safeguarded the integrity of the existing foundation that supports the weight of the existing building in operation and directed the new incremental loads to be safely transferred to the new micro-piles. This also minimised disruption to existing operations at the Maxwell Chambers.

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Two other award winners, Er. Jason Tan Bok Leng and Er. Tan Yoong Heng, both from Arup Singapore Pte Ltd, are also recognised for their engineering achievements in the Outram Community Hospital and Thomson-East Coast Line Contract T203 TE2 Woodlands Station projects respectively.

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The BCA Design and Engineering Safety Awards include six categories: Residential, Commercial, Institutional and Industrial, Civil Engineering, Small Scale Projects (cost < S$30 million), and Overseas.

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The awards specifically aim to inculcate a strong safety culture among building professionals in developing Singapore’s built environment; give recognition to Qualified Person for Structural Works [QP(ST)] and their firms for engineering achievements; and provide an avenue through which competition for work excellence can be enhanced.

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Note: Details of the winning projects will be published in the Nov/Dec 2020 issue of Southeast Asia Construction.

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Credits
\nImage 1: Maxwell Chambers, Singapore Management University, and Arup Singapore
\nImage 2: Singapore Management University
\nImage 3: Singapore Management University
\nImage 4: KTP Consultants

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The total construction demand (value of construction contracts to be awarded) in Singapore is projected to remain strong in 2020, ranging between S$28 billion and S$33 billion, according to the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). This is due to sustained public sector construction demand, which is expected to reach between S$17.5 billion and S$20.5 billion this year, accounting for approximately 62% of the demand.

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The public sector construction demand would include major infrastructure projects - which are larger and more complex in scale - such as the Integrated Waste Management Facility, infrastructure works for Changi Airport Terminal 5, Jurong Region MRT Line and Cross Island MRT Line.

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The private sector construction demand is anticipated to reach between S$10.5 billion and S$12.5 billion this year, supported by projects such as redevelopment of en-bloc sale sites, recreational developments at Mandai Park, Changi Airport new taxiway and berth facilities at Jurong Port and Tanjong Pagar Terminal. BCA pointed out that the forecast for 2020 excludes any construction contracts by the two Integrated Resorts (IRs), pending confirmation on the timeline and the phasing of the expansion projects.

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Last year, Singapore’s total construction demand expanded by 9.5% to reach S$33.4 billion, about S$1.4 billion higher than the upper bound of BCA’s 2019 forecast of S$27 billion to S$32 billion. This was mainly due to a stronger than expected increase in industrial construction demand for petrochemical facilities despite the slowdown in manufacturing sector.

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Outlook for 2021 to 2024

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Construction demand in Singapore is expected to hold steady over the medium term, said BCA. Demand is projected to reach between S$27 billion and S$34 billion per year for 2021 and 2022, and between S$28 billion and S$35 billion per year for 2023 and 2024.

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The public sector will continue to lead demand and is expected to contribute S$16 billion to S$20 billion per year from 2021 to 2024, with building projects and civil engineering works each taking up about half of the demand. Besides public residential developments, public sector construction demand over the medium term will continue to be supported by various mega infrastructure projects.

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The private sector construction demand is expected to stay at a moderate level in view of the likely continued global economic uncertainties and the current overhang in the supply of private residential housing units. Nonetheless, the planned expansion of the two Integrated Resorts could provide further upside to private sector demand, depending on their eventual construction timelines and phasing.

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Furthermore, Singapore’s total nominal construction output in 2020 is projected to increase to between S$30 billion and S$32 billion, from the estimated S$28 billion in 2019. The anticipated further pick-up in total construction output in 2020 is supported by the improved construction demand since 2018 following the slowdown in 2015 to 2017.

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Industry transformation through DfMA and IDD

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Singapore’s Minister of State for National Development and Manpower, Zaqy Mohamad, also urged the industry to continue to invest in a skilled and competent workforce with a strong local core, in order to sustain business growth and the good progress in transformation that have already been made.

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Since the Construction Industry Transformation Map was launched in 2017, the local industry has been using newer and more advanced technologies to improve construction processes and methods and ultimately creating new and better jobs for those working in the sector. For example, more projects are adopting the Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) method, where a substantial portion of work is now done in a controlled manufacturing environment before it is transported to site for assembly.

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BCA revealed that the DfMA adoption rate by the local industry shows an improvement from 22% in 2018 to about 30% in 2019, setting a good progress towards the target of 40% by 2020. The public sector, like HDB, will continue to take the lead in adopting DfMA in their building projects where 75% of all its units launched in 2020 will adopt DfMA methods, including prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction (PPVC) or advanced precast concrete system (APCS).

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Besides DfMA, Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) has been identified as another key transformation area for the built environment sector in Singapore. Those who implement IDD can expect to reap benefits such as productivity gains throughout the building life cycle, reduction of costs and waste by minimising reworks and improving site safety. For instance, BHCC Construction aims to achieve 30% time savings during the design of a project by using Virtual Reality (VR) collaboration system and 25% time savings by digitalising its management of site safety records.

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Similarly, the multi-disciplinary project team including the builder behind the Tuas Port Maintenance Base aims to achieve 20% time savings by using a cloud-based digital platform for managing defects and site safety during construction works. The team also expects to achieve a 20% productivity improvement in maintenance work by integrating data from the Building Information Modelling (BIM) into their building management system when the building is completed.

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These transformation efforts have reportedly led to the redesign or creation of new and better jobs, such as digital lead and DfMA production manager within the sector. To support the sector’s transformation growth, BCA is also working with industry partners on initiatives to attract more fresh graduates and mid-careers into the sector, as well as a skills framework to chart out career progression pathways, which is scheduled to be launched later this year.

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