The project, part of the Green Towns Programme, will be offered to all town councils within the next five years, with the government absorbing the additional costs associated with the more expensive cooling paint.
Singapore’s battle against urban heat is set to take a significant leap forward as the government commits to expanding its heat-reflective paint initiative to all Housing Board (HDB) estates by 2030. Following a successful two-year pilot in Tampines, where ambient temperatures dropped by up to 2°C, the scheme will be scaled up across the island.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
The project, part of the Green Towns Programme, will be offered to all town councils within the next five years, with the government absorbing the additional costs associated with the more expensive cooling paint. Senior Minister of State for National Development Tan Kiat How announced the initiative on February 3, highlighting a $60 million investment to support the effort.
How Heat-Reflective Paint Works
Unlike conventional paints, cool coatings contain special additives that reflect solar heat, reducing surface heat absorption. This lowers the temperature of building facades, which in turn decreases the overall heat emitted into the surrounding environment.
The Tampines trial, which covered 130 HDB blocks, demonstrated that the coatings not only lower outdoor temperatures but also reduce indoor cooling costs, as residents use less air conditioning to maintain comfortable temperatures inside their flats.
HDB confirmed that 88 blocks have already been painted, with the remaining set to be completed by the end of 2025.
Smart Energy Monitoring for Public Housing
Beyond tackling heat, Singapore is also enhancing energy efficiency in public housing estates. From Q2 2025, all HDB blocks will be fitted with smart electrical sub-meters to monitor energy consumption and improve the performance of communal services such as lifts, lighting, and water pumps.
This data-driven approach will allow town councils to:
- Compare energy usage across different HDB blocks
- Optimize maintenance cycles for public infrastructure
- Detect equipment faults early to minimize downtime
By using real-time data, authorities can fine-tune energy management strategies, ensuring greater sustainability in Singapore’s public housing.
Green Upgrades for HDB Commercial Complexes
In addition to residential estates, Singapore is also greening its HDB-managed commercial complexes. By 2030, 38 such complexes—including Woodlands Mart and Loyang Point—will be upgraded to reduce their carbon footprint.
New sustainability features will include:
- Solar panels to reduce energy consumption
- Water-efficient fittings to lower water use by 10%
- Food waste composting machines to cut waste by 30%
Additionally, four of these complexes are set to achieve BCA Green Mark Super Low Energy (SLE) certification by 2025. This certification requires buildings to consume at least 60% less energy compared to 2005 levels, reinforcing Singapore’s commitment to sustainable urban development.
Singapore is also taking bold steps to promote recycling and waste reduction. More than 1,000 beverage container return points will be deployed across HDB estates and town council-managed spaces.
Progress on the Green Towns Programme
The expanded heat-reflective paint initiative is part of the larger Green Towns Programme, a 10-year sustainability blueprint launched in 2020. The programme aims to cool public housing estates, cut energy consumption, and enhance green spaces.
Key milestones achieved as of January 2025 include:
- Greening Urban Spaces: 24 multi-storey HDB carparks have been transformed into rooftop community gardensusing Prefabricated Extensive Green Roof Tray Systems.
- Solar Energy Expansion: 4,300 HDB blocks are now fitted with solar panels to power common services.
- Energy-Efficient Elevators: 500 lifts have been upgraded with energy regeneration systems that repurpose braking energy for other uses.
- EV Charging Infrastructure: More than 3,600 electric vehicle (EV) chargers have been installed at 850 HDB carparks.
These efforts align with Singapore’s broader push toward a low-carbon future, making HDB estates more resilient to climate change while improving quality of life for residents.
A Community-Driven Transformation
For residents, these green initiatives are already making a difference. Woodlands resident Doreen Koh, 65, shared her experience managing a rooftop community garden in her HDB estate.
“The garden has not only made my neighborhood greener but has also brought the community together. We learn how to grow different vegetables and donate them to low-income families.”
As Singapore continues its nationwide sustainability drive, these innovative measures—whether through heat-reflective paint, solar power, or smart energy management—are setting a new standard for urban living.
By 2030, the expanded Green Towns Programme promises to make public housing estates cooler, greener, and more energy-efficient, ensuring that Singapore remains at the forefront of climate resilience and sustainability.
Lead image courtesy of Kandl from Getty Images (Bright colorful HDB flats buildings in Singapore, against cloudy blue sky, Panoramic view)
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