Noise Pollution Faced by Housing Units and Schools Built next to Major Expressways

Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for National Development with regard to public housing and schools that are being built next to major expressways (a) whether the planning and development agencies take into consideration the significant traffic noise that will impact upon the well-being of residents and students there; and (b) whether there are noise-mitigating measures featured in the design of such developments.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: The planning and development agencies are mindful of the possible impact of traffic noise on developments. There are planning requirements in place to ensure sufficient setback distance of public housing and schools from expressways. Approval must be sought from planning and relevant agencies before development takes place.

Besides compliance with planning requirements, design measures, where feasible, are also adopted. These include orientating public housing blocks away from the expressway, locating Multi-Storey Car Parks next to the expressway, and planting more trees as noise buffers. Similar design measures are also applied in the case of schools.

HDB will continue to explore other practical noise mitigation measures to preserve the comfort and well-being of our residents and students.