Sixteen parks and developments recognised for outstanding greenery under NParks' Landscape Excellence Assessment Framework (LEAF) certification scheme

- Two new parks attained the highest level of certification of platinum, while five parks and developments clinched the gold certification

A total of 16 parks and developments were awarded the Landscape Excellence Assessment Framework (LEAF) certification by the National Parks Board (NParks) in the assessment for 2023. Launched in 2013, LEAF is the first and only certification scheme in Singapore solely dedicated to the provision and management of greenery in developments. The scheme recognises and celebrates good landscape design, construction, and management of parks and development projects. LEAF serves to encourage organisations’ efforts to restore nature into the urban landscape, which helps bring greenery closer to the community. This also supports efforts to  transform Singapore into a City in Nature – a key pillar of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, a national movement to chart our course for sustainable development.

Refer to the Annex for more information on LEAF.

Since its launch, 103 public and private projects in Singapore have been certified under LEAF. This year, LEAF certificates were awarded to 16 diverse projects ranging from parks to residential, educational institutes, and commercial developments – comprising two platinum, five gold, one silver, and eight certified projects.

Notable developments – Parks category

The only two platinum certifications awarded this year went to Mandai Wildlife Group’s Mandai Wildlife West and Bird Paradise, and Rifle Range Nature Park developed by NParks. Changi Airport Connector, a theme park, clinched the gold certification as well as a special mention for community well-being and engagement.

Notable developments – Developments category

In the Developments category, the gold certification was awarded to Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore (NUS) Ventus, One Shenton, and a landscape nursery (Tropical Environment Pte Ltd) at 60 Jalan Lekar. NUS Ventus, which was first awarded the LEAF certification in 2017, had their certification renewed in the assessment for 2023. The landscape nursery at 60 Jalan Lekar is the first nursery to be certified under LEAF.

Application for LEAF 2025 Certification

The LEAF certification is a mark of landscape excellence and helps inform the public of the quality of landscapes and design of the certified development. Certified developments and parks may utilise the LEAF logo for marketing purposes for a period of five years from the date of certification. Parks and developments may apply for a reassessment to renew the LEAF certification.

The certification cycle for LEAF from 2021 onwards is biennial (once every two years). Applications for the next round of LEAF certification will open in early 2025. Private and public developers and maintenance agents of new and existing developments can apply to be certified under LEAF via e-mail at nparks_leaf@nparks.gov.sg, or find out more information at www.go.gov.sg/LEAF.

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Annex

The Landscape Excellence Assessment Framework, or LEAF for short, is a certification scheme to celebrate good landscape design, construction and management of parks and development projects. With LEAF, NParks aims to encourage ecologically, climatically, and socially resilient parks and developments in Singapore’s urban landscape.

LEAF is the first and only scheme in Singapore that is solely dedicated to recognising the provision and management of greenery in developments. It is developed with consideration of the current best practices in landscape design and management. 

This certification recognises excellence in efforts of developers, landscape architects, architects, contractors and maintenance agents in creating high quality urban landscapes which contribute to Singapore’s journey of becoming a City in Nature. The LEAF certification also helps inform the public of the quality of landscapes of certified developments. 

LEAF is applicable to both new and existing development projects. The projects are assessed under two key areas: greenery provision and landscape management. Bonus points are given for additional effort to promote public appreciation of greenery. The certification is valid for five years. After five years, parks and developments may apply for a reassessment to renew its LEAF certification. No fees are required to acquire the certification.

Assessment

Projects are assessed on the following aspects:

·       Accessibility

·       Biodiversity Conservation

·       Community Wellbeing & Engagement

·       Design & Landscaping

·       Environmental Sustainability

·       Maintenance

The assessment criteria will differ depending on:

1.     Type:

         a.     Developments (residential, commercial, healthcare, etc.)

         b.     Parks (nature parks, neighbourhood parks, etc.)

2.     Status of completion:

        a.     New: Project is nearing completion or has received Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) / Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC) for less than 2 years.

        b.     Existing: Project is completed and has received CSC for 2 years or more.

Projects certified from year 2020 onwards are awarded "Platinum", "Gold", "Silver" or "Certified" based on the assessment outcomes.

The submissions are evaluated by a team of LEAF assessors as well as the LEAF Evaluation Panel to determine the project's certification. These assessors and panel members are domain experts comprising NParks officers, industry professionals from the Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects and the Landscape Industry Association of Singapore, and academics and educators from institutes of higher learning in Singapore.

Information accurate as of 30 January 2024.