Commercial Quantum

NUS has grown with increasing number of students enrolment and research activities over the years. Services like food courts, bookshops and convenience stores are therefore increasingly in demand.

As the University strives to cater to such needs, it must monitor the commercial quantum under URA’s policy, to avoid over supply of commercial space in the University in terms of land use and space planning.

The spaces for commercial uses are thus closely monitored by URA in line with their circular (No.URA/PB/2003/08-DCD) adopted since 2003. Initially, uses like food courts, computer and bookshops in educational institutes (EI) were mainly catered for the students and treated as ancillary. However, in recent years, more of commercial-like services such as student-run businesses, hair and beauty salons and banks have been introduced within the campus. URA has hence classified these as commercial areas as their uses have gone beyond serving the needs of the students and staff, to become full-fledged commercial enterprises serving a wider catchment.

With these areas computed as commercial GFA, development charge or differential premium may be leviable for the use of these spaces.  The Kent Ridge Campus including University Town is allowed to provide commercial uses up to 5% of the total proposed GFA or 30,000 m², whichever is lower.

Examples of uses that will be computed as commercial GFA are: -

• Food Courts and Restaurants
• Cafes and Fast Food outlets
• Computer Shops
• Commercial Book & Stationery Shops
• Hair and Beauty Salons
• Convenience Stores
• Mini Supermarkets
• Banks
• Travel Agencies
• Medical Clinics
• Student Run Businesses

All developments in NUS campus should seek clearance from PPM before submission to URA. Upon clearance from PPM and the grant of WP from URA, the Project Manager is required to complete the form and submit to PPM with all the required documents specified therein.