Destination Page

Landing Page

App Route

We use environmental modelling to simulate how environmental factors interact, such as natural wind flow, sunlight, and shadow casting. This data guides how we orientate residential blocks to allow for better natural wind flow and helps us determine the best placement for outdoor amenities. For example, we site playgrounds in well-shaded locations to create a cooler and more pleasant play environment for children. We also use this data to place greenery in areas that receive more heat from the sun, which helps lower the ambient temperature.

Planning for comfortable HDB living through environmental modelling

<img alt="Photovoltaic (PV) panels will be installed on more HDB rooftops to generate renewable solar energy in HDB towns." src="/-/media/about-us/our-role/create-smart-and-sustainable-homes/green-innovations/2.jpg" class="RTE_InfographicImage" />
Solar Panels:&nbsp;You may not see them easily, but we have solar panels working hard on top of HDB blocks to generate clean energy. These are used to power common services like lifts, lights and water pumps, with any excess channelled to the electric grid. Our goal is to generate 540 MWp of solar power by 2030 &ndash; equivalent to the energy needed to power 135,000 4-room flats for a year.
<img alt="Smart LED lighting conserves energy by brightening when sensors detect that a person is close by and dimming otherwise." src="/-/media/about-us/our-role/create-smart-and-sustainable-homes/green-innovations/3.jpg" class="RTE_InfographicImage" />
Smart LED Lighting: Compared to conventional LED lighting, this intelligent lighting system uses up to 60% less energy. Through sensors and smart analytics, smart LED lighting gradually lights up your path in advance before dimming down when you have passed. It is designed to automatically alert the estate maintenance team when a lighting fault occurs.
<img alt="The Elevator Energy Regeneration System (EERS) converts energy generated during lift motions and braking into electricity." src="/-/media/about-us/our-role/create-smart-and-sustainable-homes/green-innovations/EERS-900X600.jpg" class="RTE_InfographicImage" />
Elevator Energy Regeneration System (EERS): Energy is generated during lift motions and braking. Taking advantage of this, we implemented the EERS to convert the energy into electricity instead of being dissipated as heat. The electricity harnessed is then used to power lights, fans and other services within the lift, saving up to 20% in energy use.

Reducing energy usage

<img alt="The UrbanWater Harvesting System collects and treats rainwater before it is reused to wash common areas and water plants." src="/-/media/about-us/our-role/create-smart-and-sustainable-homes/green-innovations/urbanwater_harvesting_system_process.webp" class="RTE_InfographicImage" />
UrbanWater Harvesting System (UWHS): Engineered to repurpose our natural resources, the UWHS collects and treats rainwater before reusing it to wash common areas and water plants. The system also helps to prevent flood risks, as stormwater is released to public drains at a lower rate, saving the need for costly drainage works.
<img src="/-/media/about-us/our-role/create-smart-and-sustainable-homes/green-innovations/Green-Innovations-2-new.jpg" alt="A person returning an empty drink container to a designated return point and receiving deposit refund paid to retailer." class="RTE_InfographicImage" />
Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS): Under the BCRS, a 10-cent refundable deposit will be applied on all pre-packaged beverages in plastic and metal containers ranging from 150 millilitres to 3 litres. The deposit will be fully refunded when you return empty plastic or metal beverage containers at designated beverage return points.
In support of the scheme, a network of more than 1,000 return points will be deployed islandwide, including at HDB-owned spaces.
Refer to the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nea.gov.sg/our-services/waste-management/beverage-container-return-scheme" target="_blank" title="National Environment Agency (NEA)’s website">National Environment Agency (NEA)&rsquo;s website</a> for more information.
<img alt="Diagram showing HDB’s sustainability targets for HDB-managed complexes to reduce building carbon footprints." src="/-/media/about-us/our-role/create-smart-and-sustainable-homes/green-innovations/HDB_green_complexes_targets.webp" class="RTE_InfographicImage" />
Green Complexes: We are making HDB-managed complexes more environmentally friendly through sustainable initiatives. These include installing water and energy-efficient equipment and fittings and harnessing renewable energy, to reduce our buildings' carbon footprint.
<img alt="Diagram showing benefits of Smart Electric Sub-meters. Including quicker fault detection and optimised maintenance cycles." src="/-/media/about-us/our-role/create-smart-and-sustainable-homes/green-innovations/HDB_green_complexes_benefits.webp" class="RTE_InfographicImage" />
Smart Electric Sub-Meters: We are installing smart electrical sub-meters in the consumer switch rooms across our residential blocks. These devices help HDB and Town Councils better understand energy usage patterns and plan maintenance for common services, such as lighting, water pumps and lifts more effectively, preventing unnecessary downtime.
<img alt="E-waste recycling bin and informational poster showing accepted electronic items like phones, laptops, and small appliances." src="/-/media/about-us/our-role/create-smart-and-sustainable-homes/green-innovations/E-waste.jpg" class="Default-Image landscape" />
E-Waste Recycling Bins: To support sustainable living, we have introduced e-waste recycling bins in selected residential blocks. These bins are conveniently located in your estate, making it easier for you to dispose of electronic waste responsibly. This allows us to protect our environment and community health.

Optimising our resources

<img alt="Dual bicycle racks at HDB blocks allow for more bicycles to be parked safely and securely without taking up more space." class="RTE_InfographicImage" src="/-/media/about-us/our-role/create-smart-and-sustainable-homes/green-innovations/Bicycle-rack-900X600.jpg" />
Dual Bicycle Rack System: Designed by HDB, this system allows residents to stack 2 parked bicycles safely and securely while taking up the same space as a standard bicycle rack. This provides a neater and more compact way for residents to store their bicycles safely away from corridors. Additionally, the system features a patented bicycle-locking bar that lets residents secure multiple points of the bicycle using a single bicycle lock.
These dual bicycle racks have been installed at all new Build-to-Order (BTO) projects since 2014, to support green commuting. We are also progressively rolling them out in existing blocks.
<img alt="Electric Vehicle chargers at HDB car parks." src="/-/media/about-us/our-role/create-smart-and-sustainable-homes/green-innovations/EV1-900X600.jpg" class="Default-Image landscape" />
Electric Vehicles (EV) Chargers: Electric Vehicles (EV) are friendlier to the environment as they are more energy-efficient and produce less harmful emissions.&nbsp; To promote the use of EVs, we have installed EV charging points at about 2,000 HDB car parks.
To find EV charging points nearest to you, visit EV-Electric <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://eve.com.sg/" target="_blank">(EVe) Charging&rsquo;s website</a>. For more information on the EV roadmap for Singapore and safety regulations of EV charging points, visit <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/industry_innovations/technologies/electric_vehicles.html" target="_blank">LTA&rsquo;s website</a>.

Encouraging sustainable living

<img alt="Residents engaging in community/ allotment gardening using PEG roof trays at the top deck of a multi-storey car park." src="/-/media/about-us/our-role/create-smart-and-sustainable-homes/green-innovations/Greenery-Intensification.jpg" class="Default-Image landscape" />
Greenery Intensification: We are introducing more extensive greenery and community/ allotment gardens at the top decks of selected multi-storey HDB car parks.
Lightweight and modular, Prefabricated Extensive Green (PEG) roof trays are used to introduce extensive greenery onto building rooftops. Besides providing visual relief, they help to reduce surface and ambient temperatures.
PEG roof trays can also be used for community/ allotment gardening, which brings residents with similar interests together to create memories in these shared spaces. Gardening groups can share their harvest with the community through community harvesting and sharing initiatives, strengthening bonds and reducing food waste.
<img alt="A GeoBarrier System at an HDB estate that absorbs noise, enhances greenery and improves water retention." src="/-/media/about-us/our-role/create-smart-and-sustainable-homes/green-innovations/Geobarrier-900X600.jpg" class="Default-Image landscape" />
GeoBarrier System (GBS): The GBS is a greener alternative to concrete walls in strengthening the stability of slopes. Unlike traditional earth retaining walls, this system takes the form of a landscaped-retaining wall and uses recycled aggregates instead of reinforced concrete. Beneath the lush slope of greenery are 3 layers of materials &mdash; planting soil, recycled aggregates, and coarser recycled aggregates. These materials reduce the reliance on concrete and make it more sustainable. By cultivating ferns and shrubs in specially designed planting pockets, the GBS enhances greenery, improves water retention, and even helps absorb noise to create a more pleasant environment.
<img alt="The floating wetlands at Punggol Waterway enhance the urban environment." src="/-/media/about-us/our-role/create-smart-and-sustainable-homes/green-innovations/floating-wetlands-01.JPG" class="RTE_DefaultImage landscape" />
Floating Wetlands System: If you have visited Punggol Waterway, you may have noticed an innovative landscape feature. Floating 'plots' of plants, created by adjoining hexagonal modules, now dot the waterway. These floating wetlands intensify the surrounding greenery and help to clean the waterway, all while bringing nature closer to home. Despite their buoyancy, these wetlands are remarkably stable. These features make the wetlands a sustainable and effective solution to enhance our urban environment.

Cultivating urban greenery

<img alt="A comparison between a pavement with and without the application of cool coatings that reflect the sun's heat." src="/-/media/about-us/our-role/create-smart-and-sustainable-homes/green-innovations/Cool_coatings.png" class="RTE_InfographicImage" />
Cool Coatings: Building facades in our estates are treated with cool coatings to reflect heat from the sun. These treated surfaces absorb less heat in the day, so they give off less heat at night, creating a cooler and more comfortable environment.
We have been working closely with Town Councils to implement cool coatings, which will be carried out as part of their scheduled Repair &amp; Redecoration (R&amp;R) works for residential blocks across all estates islandwide.

Green Innovations