SINGAPORE - Flat owners in three public housing projects can now lay to claim how green their estates are. SkyResidence @ Dawson, SkyOasis @ Dawson and Oasis Terraces in Punggol have been awarded certifications for excellence in landscaping and greenery.

The certifications are under the National Parks Board's (NParks') Landscape Excellence Assessment Framework (Leaf), which recognises housing projects that bring nature to residents' doorsteps, and have greening initiatives for environmental conservation and biodiversity.

The three projects are still under construction. Oasis Terraces will be ready in 2018, and the other two in 2020.

This is the fourth year the Housing Board (HDB) has been awarded Leaf certification for its projects.

HDB chief executive Cheong Koon Hean said HDB consciously adds greenery to its designs. " These green spaces also serve as recreational spaces for residents to enjoy and community spaces where the kampong spirit can ignite and grow," said Dr Cheong.

SkyResidence @ Dawson and Oasis Terraces received the Leaf outstanding award.

Oasis Terraces boasts of multicoloured gardens overlooking Punggol Waterway. The gardens will have plant species selected to attract birds and butterflies to the development.

Both projects in Dawson are billed as "housing in the park" by HDB.

SkyResidence @ Dawson, by Margaret Drive and Commonwealth Avenue, will have six mature Angsana trees in the central plaza and the eight residential blocks will have landscaping at various levels. There is also a 500m long garden connecting the blocks from the second to the eighth floors, creating community spaces fitted with adult and elderly fitness stations.

The six blocks at SkyOasis @ Dawson, along the Alexandra Canal Linear Park, has sky gardens on the 14th and 35th storeys, and a roof garden on the second floor. There is also a landscaped "eco deck" that will have a playground catering to the young and the elderly.