URA takes over the secretariat function for the Street and Building Names Board

SBNB role will give URA power to further extend the urban heritage of nation's landmarks.

With effect from 30 April 2010, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) will take over the secretariat function for the Street and Building Names Board (SBNB) from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), according to a URA release.

As the national land use planning and conservation agency, URA is tasked with shaping the overall physical environment of Singapore. The SBNB secretariat role will enable URA to further augment the urban heritage of the key places in Singapore through the naming of these buildings and streets. Developers and property owners who are already working with URA on development and property-related matters will benefit from this initiative. There will be greater convenience in obtaining development approvals, and subsequently the building and street name approvals of the development through a single platform instead of going to two separate agencies.

To serve its customers better, URA is launching a new slew of e-services for the application of street, estates and building names. Agents or owners will now be able to apply for streets, estates and building names via its website. Searches on approved streets, estates and building names, as well as details and guidelines of the application process are also available on this website.

For ease of transition, URA will continue to accept manual applications for streets, estates and building names until 30 July 2010. From 1 August 2010 onwards, all applications for street, estates and building names will have to be submitted online.