Oral Answer by Ministry of National Development on number of community gardens and urban farms that have been set up on unutilised HDB multi-storey carparks to date

Mar 4, 2022

Ms Mariam Jaafar: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) to date, what is the number of community gardens and urban farms that have been set up on unutilised HDB multi-storey carparks (MSCP); and (b) in view of Singapore’s “30 by 30” goal, what is being done to facilitate and accelerate the conversion of unutilised HDB MSCP rooftops to community gardens.   

Answer:

1          As part of greenery intensification under the HDB Green Towns Programme, suitable HDB Multi-Storey Car Parks (MSCP) rooftops are being converted to community gardens or commercial urban farms. The introduction of urban farms helps to bring food production closer to the community. Although the production volume is not significant, it contributes to Singapore’s “30 by 30” food production goal. To date, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and HDB have tendered out 16 MSCP sites for commercial urban farming, while HDB has repurposed 6 MSCP rooftops into community gardens.

2          SFA and HDB consider multiple factors when identifying suitable MSCP sites for urban farming. These include the utilisation rate of the MSCPs, the loading which the rooftops at each site can bear, the availability of water and electricity supply, waste discharge facilities, as well as the current and future developments plans for the surrounding HDB blocks. Agencies are evaluating the outcomes of the first two tenders before deciding on future plans.

3          In addition, NParks will continue to work with HDB, Town Councils, Residents’ Committees and Neighbourhood Committees to encourage the setting up of more community gardens, including at suitable MSCP rooftop sites or by converting parts of the common green in estates to community gardens.