Singapore Now Has 34 Privately-Owned Public Spaces as URA Design Guidelines Drive Community-Focused Developments

Open-air rooftop gardens in private office buildings, covered rest and activity spaces, seating everywhere, barrier-free facilities, wireless networks, charging stations: these are among the privately-owned public spaces (POPS) found inside private buildings across Singapore, open to the public for free all day.

Since URA introduced POPS design guidelines in 2017, the number of such spaces across the island has grown to 34. In addition, the CBD Incentive Scheme is bringing a POPS creative space at the junction of Anson Road and McCallum Street in Tanjong Pagar and Ann Siang Hill, with a new “urban neighbourhood” around the corner.

URA said it has been working closely with the private sector over many years to encourage the creation of more public amenities within private developments, turning these into community focal points that maximise Singapore’s limited land resources for shared public space.

The 34 POPS are distributed across various locations and vary greatly in size. The largest is NEXUS within the Biopolis science park, spanning over 6,000 square metres. The smallest is The Linq@Beauty World, at less than 500 square metres.

These spaces are diverse in character. Guoco Tower above Tanjong Pagar MRT station features a 1,675 square metre POPS with a 16-metre-high canopy, ample seating, and green lawns where children can play and pets can run. At Biopolis Science Park, Geneo recently created a POPS connecting the first and second levels via stepped terraces, forming a circular open-air theatre and community activity space. One Holland Village’s developer created Singapore’s first open-air pet-friendly commercial space.

Under the design guidelines, for every 50 square metres of total floor area, developers must provide at least one square metre of public space, ensuring spaces are spacious enough to support diverse activities. URA encourages the installation of both fixed and movable seating so that different groups and activities can be comfortably accommodated.

Property asset managers acknowledge that owners must be willing to forgo high rental income from these spaces, as POPS were originally high-value commercial spaces. However, those with quality public spaces will ultimately see greater attractiveness and higher overall property values, with foot traffic and reputation also rising.

To make POPS more accessible, URA requires developers to clearly mark them with signage and has also added them to Google Maps so the public can easily find them. URA will periodically study how POPS are being used and work with the private sector to optimise future designs.

URA said: “Fundamentally, a good POPS is one that deeply integrates into people’s daily lives, where people willingly stay, rest, socialise, and interact.” The authority believes these spaces can help break down barriers between private developments and the surrounding community, fostering a more inclusive and welcoming urban environment.