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Last Updated: 16 January 2023

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 main contractors, sub-contractors, material suppliers and construction specialists.

The Construction 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. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index for 2017-2018, Singapore holds the 2nd spot globally in the robustness of its infrastructure.

With its pipeline of infrastructure projects such as Changi Airport Terminal 5, North South Corridor and Tuas Port development, BCA projected that the total construction demand in 2019 to range between S$27 billion to S$32 billion. The construction sector contributes to 3.4% of Singapore Nominal GDP for 2018 and the sector grew by 2.7% on a year-on-year basis in the 3rd quarter of 2019, extending the 2.8% expansion in the previous quarter. Growth in the sector was supported by a pickup in both public and private sector construction activities.

With the push to digitalise the sector that will replace conventional building processes, jobs that thus far were only done by humans will either be done in newer ways through the use of human and machine collaboration. Workers 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 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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