WHO says a casino and theme park cannot be green? Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) has won an award from the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) for integrating sustainable building concepts into its master design.

The BCA awarded RWS and the National University of Singapore's University Town the inaugural Green Mark for Districts award yesterday.

This is a pilot scheme to recognise environmentally friendly and sustainable practices adopted by an integrated development, said the BCA.

Both winners were awarded a GoldPlus rating, the second-highest Green Mark.

RWS has Singapore's largest solar installation, which can generate more than 500,000kwh of energy annually. This is equivalent to the power consumption of 108 four-room flats in a year.

An underground storage tank will recycle rain water and an eco-cooler system will cool areas in the theme park.

The University Town campus in Kent Ridge won for reducing carbon emissions and conserving the surrounding natural habitat.

The project promotes natural ventilation and recycling. It also has sheltered walkways and dedicated bicycle lanes.

The winners received their awards from Senior Minister of State for National Development and Education Grace Fu at the inaugural International Green Building Conference last night.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.