Singapore ranks 10th globally for building material reuse maturity

It’s the only Asian city to rank in the top 10.

Singapore has been ranked among the world’s top 10 cities for building material reuse maturity, the only Asian market to make the list, according to Savills.

The firm’s Material Reuse Maturity Index places Singapore 10th globally, ahead of Tokyo in 15th, with rankings based on recovery and reuse rates, ecosystem readiness and supportive regulations.

Savills said Singapore’s position reflects strong government backing for sustainable development, including a target for 80% of buildings to meet green standards by 2030, alongside growing momentum in retrofit-led upgrades.

One example is Robinson Point on Robinson Road, a 1997-built asset currently undergoing an upgrade to Grade A office standards, incorporating improved natural light and green features as part of a broader asset enhancement initiative.

“At a time when cost discipline and sustainability are both front-of-mind, material reuse is becoming a strategic lever rather than a niche initiative,” said Vincent Lau, Executive Director, Project Management at Savills Singapore. He added that reuse strategies can unlock both near-term capex savings and long-term asset value while aligning with ESG expectations.

Globally, London, Amsterdam and Paris topped the index, highlighting the growing maturity of circular material ecosystems and their role in reducing embodied carbon in office developments.

According to Sarah Brooks, Associate Director at Savills World Research, retrofit decisions remain complex, with owners weighing costs, risks and potential rental upside. While light upgrades may cost as little as 2–6% of asset value, deeper retrofits or redevelopments require significantly higher investment but can deliver stronger long-term returns.

Joanna Conceicao, Director at Savills Earth, said office owners globally face mounting pressure to upgrade ageing stock to meet tightening regulations and occupier expectations, with retrofitting still the preferred approach for reducing whole-life carbon in most cases.

The report underscores a broader shift across APAC and global markets, as sustainability targets, occupier demand and policy frameworks increasingly shape office investment and redevelopment strategies.