About Us
The Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology (CUGE) is a division of NParks that serves to advance the landscape industry through industry development initiatives, manpower training programmes and research in greenery and ecology.
Industry Development
The Industry Development branch of CUGE collaborates closely with multiple stakeholders to shape policies and launch initiatives that will boost the landscape sector. Acknowledging the role that the sector plays in up-keeping Singapore as a City in Nature, a $12 million package was pledged for a Landscape Productivity Roadmap (LPR) initiative managed by the branch. Launched in 2011, the LPR is a holistic approach to improving productivity in the landscape sector. The goals of the LPR are as follows:
- Supporting implementation of best practices in landscape companies;
- Facilitating mechanisation and adoption of new technologies;
- Benchmarking to raise standards;
- Improving supply chain efficiency;
- Developing and coordinating programmes to groom future industry leaders
One major undertaking under the LPR is Landscape Nursery Plot Development (LNPD). The land parcels, located in Lim Chu Kang and Sungei Tengah, will come with basic infrastructure built up to the front gate to enable nurseries to quickly move in, kick-start operations, and defray upfront capital investments. Nursery operators are to commit to optimising land use, raising their level of competitiveness and supporting an integrated supply chain of trees and plants through this partnership. Complementing the LNPD is the Nursery Accreditation Scheme (NAS) that provides benchmarking so that nursery operators are able to deliver quality products and improve operations.
As a result of NParks’ involvement in the Tripartite Cluster on the Landscape Sector (TCL), CUGE has also been tasked to administer the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) under the Landscape Company Register. The intention of the PWM for the Landscape Sector is to uplift the image of landscape careers by providing a clear training and career progression pathway for resident landscape workers to earn higher wages in tandem with skills acquisition and higher work productivity.
Please visit the News & Events section for more information on nursery land and the PWM.
Manpower Development
Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Programmes
As a Continuing Education and Training (CET) Centre, CUGE uses the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) to train and certify skills and competencies for a competitive workforce.
CUGE offers WSQ programmes that cater to the different levels of the landscape workforce.
- WSQ Courses for Workers
- WSQ Courses for Technicians
- WSQ Courses for Supervisors
- WSQ Courses for Managers
Professional Certification and Development Programmes
CUGE offers a series of professional certification programmes that forms the apex of the offerings in the various disciplines. These are catered for industry practitioners who wish to validate their knowledge and skills, and be updated on the latest industry developments and standards. These programmes are recognised locally and overseas and are accredited with prominent overseas training institutions and professional bodies.
Certification programmes offered by CUGE include:
- ISA Certified Arborist Preparatory Programme
- Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ)
- Certified Practising Horticulturist
Workshops and Short Courses
Workshops and short courses are offered for professionals who are interested in specific topics. The sessions focus on delivering in-depth knowledge and providing practical tips for participants. They are conducted by experienced industry practitioners and usually span one to three days.
CUGE also engages local and overseas speakers to share on a myriad of topics. The seminars provide landscape professionals of all levels with opportunities to receive the latest updates on best practices and research, and are suitable platforms for networking with the landscape industry. One example is the CUGE Research Seminar, an annual event which shares on recent research topics related to urban greenery and ecology in Singapore.
Research
CUGE Research is a branch in the Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology (CUGE), a division of the National Parks Board, that engages in multi-disciplinary research on the greening and ecology of cities. Through its programmes, CUGE Research creates and promotes knowledge to enhance greenery planning, design and management to make tropical cities more liveable. It aims to be the leading knowledge nexus that shares greening efforts in tropical cities. The work undertaken by CUGE Research is focused on three key areas:
Arboriculture and Horticulture
Improve health, performance and stability of trees/ plants and explore technologies to overcome challenges to greening in the built environment.
Urban Ecology and Built Greenery
Application of ecological principles and elevated greening solutions to enhance ecological connectivity, liveability and sustainability in cities.
Social Dimensions of Greenery
Uncover the benefits of greenery for physical and mental health, social capital and other intangible values from green provision.