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Last Updated: 03 Jan 2025

Built Environment

“Built Environment” refers to buildings, structures and the infrastructure around us that provide the setting for daily activities. The industry is based on multiple interdisciplinary fields of engineering that address the design, construction, and management aspect of a project through the involvement of architectural and engineering consultants, builders and facilities management specialists.

The Built Environment ITM (Industry Transformation Map) envisions an advanced and integrated sector with widespread adoption of leading technologies, led by progressive and collaborative firms to capture business opportunities, and be supported by a skilled and competent workforce offering good jobs for Singaporeans. Since its launch, leading firms are staying ahead of the curve through capability building, strong collaborations and creating effective solutions for the built environment sector.

Growth Opportunities

In Asia, Singapore is renowned for its airports, ports, housing, utilities, road and transport infrastructure. On a year-on-year basis, the built environment sector contributes to about 3% to 5% of total Singapore’s GDP. Growth in the built environment is supported by both public and private sector activities, presenting abundant opportunities for career advancement and skill development.

There are over 18,000 enterprises in Singapore in the built environment sector contributing to public and private infrastructure projects, such as public housing projects, industrial buildings and MRT line construction. To ensure a Singapore for future generations, the built environment sector has moved towards liveability, inclusivity, and sustainability. In fact, Singapore was the first country to use precast and prefabrication technologies in construction. As a small country lacking in natural resources, Singapore is a pioneer of using new technologies to lead sustainable development.

Digitalisation is also a key lever to pave for transformation in the built environment sector. New technologies will replace conventional building processes, hence, jobs that thus far were only done by humans will be done in newer ways through the use of human and machine collaboration. Our workforce will need to learn new skills set to stay relevant, making use of technology to aid in construction process, such as operating robots for painting. Implementation of innovative technology will soon be a necessity to remain competitive. Such shift also hopes to engage and attract the younger generation, making career opportunities in the sector more attractive.

Fun Facts

The Fort Canning MRT tunnel which is just 1m above existing North East Line Tunnel, has been recognised by the Institution of Engineers Singapore as one of the top 50 engineering achievements with the greatest impact on Singapore since 1965.

Singapore’s deepest MRT Station is the Downtown Line 3’s Bencoolen station which is situated 43 metres below the surface, equivalent to eight basement levels of the ION Orchard shopping mall.

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