Central Area
Celebrating our Arts, Culture and Heritage
Our City Centre is Steeped in History and Culture, Home to Some of the Most Notable Architectural and Heritage Landmarks
An Expanded Arts & Cultural Precinct
Bras Basah.Bugis, Fort Canning and Civic District are home to myriad arts and cultural offerings, as well as many of our more notable architectural and heritage landmarks.
New park spaces and streetscape improvements will better connect the three precincts, inviting visitors to explore a vibrant, walkable art and cultural precinct.
Armenian Street
Part of Armenian Street is being converted to an urban botanic garden, extending the greenery down from Fort Canning. Art aficionados, students and visitors will be able to enjoy picnic lunches, music performances, art strolls in the park, with more space for events and activities.
The Civic District
The Civic District has come alive with the creation of new public spaces to linger and soak in the culture, and road calming measures to stitch the arts and cultural institutions together.
© Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
Bras Basah.Bugis Arts Belt: Bencoolen Street
Wider sidewalks with student-designed street furniture have created more space for people to walk, socialise and linger.
Bras Basah.Bugis Arts Belt: Queen Street
Completed side walk enhancements and the upcoming Singapore Art Museum expansion create new staging grounds for arts and cultural events.
Bras Basah.Bugis Arts Belt: Waterloo Street
New streetscape improvements will make walking a delight, with more public spaces for arts and cultural activities to spill out onto the street.
A Historic Park
As one of Singapore’s two National Parks, Fort Canning Park has a long history, and has become a much-loved space for leisure and events. The planned enhancements by NParks will enhance connectivity to Fort Canning Park, highlight its significance and retrace our history across the 14th, 19th and 20th centuries.
© National Parks Board
Enlivening the Layered Histories of Fort Canning Park
Jubilee Park
Jubilee Park will avail more family-friendly venues for arts and culture activities in a garden setting.
© National Parks Board
Royal Garden
The Royal Garden will showcase fruit trees like rambutans, jackfruits, bael fruit, lontar palms, as well as fragrant plants such as different species of gardenias, jasmines, and magnolias.
© National Parks Board
Archaeological Dig (Artisan’s Garden)
The existing Archaeological Dig exhibition will be improved with a wider gallery space, new text panels and display showcases, and will be renamed Artisan’s Garden.
© National Parks Board
Pancur Larangan
Existing heritage trails will be re-curated to interpret the rich history of Fort Canning Park. The 14th century trail will feature the Forbidden Spring or Pancur Larangan which is believed to be the bathing site of the royals.
© National Parks Board
Farquhar Garden
The 19th century trail will feature the new Raffles Garden and Farquhar Garden in which native flora, economic crops and ornamental plants collected and documented by Sir Stamford Raffles and Singapore’s First Resident William Farquhar through their botanical explorations will be displayed.
Walkable & Vibrant Historic Districts
The treasured historic districts of Little India, Kampong Glam and Chinatown will retain their rich heritage and become more vibrant, through continued place-making efforts in collaboration with the local community and businesses.
Little India
Little India is a historic, colourful and well-connected district that is popular with locals and visitors. Carefully curated art and cultural events, and new uses in State-owned property celebrate its heritage and uniqueness.
Enlivening Streets and Spaces with Arts and Events
© Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association(LISHA)
Campbell Lane, one of Little India’s pedestrianised streets has become a focal area for community activities for both stakeholders and visitors.
© Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association(LISHA)
Project Oasis Little India (POLI) transforms vacant State land into public spaces where the community can come together for activities organised by Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA).
© Singapore Tourism Board & LASALLE College of the Arts
Little India ARTWALK by LASALLE College of the Arts and the Singapore Tourism Board, celebrates the district’s rich history and encourages visitors to explore its colourful art installations.
Reimagining Heritage Properties
Charming heritage buildings at Chitty/ Veerasamy Road and Hindoo Road can be refurbished and repurposed with innovative uses, that activate public spaces and plug gaps in pedestrian experience along Kampong Kapor Road.
Hindoo Road Shophouses
Chitty/Veerasamy Road Shophouses
Kampong Glam
Kampong Glam is a walkable district filled with unique attractions and a mix of old and new trades. Stakeholders are working together to preserve and promote its special charm.
Celebrating Arts & Culture on the Streets
Car-free Arab Street filled with visitors enjoying family-friendly activities.
Cultural performance along Aliwal Street during road closure
Stakeholders are keen to carry out more regular road closures and some permanent ones. For example at Haji Lane, to create a safer and more attractive environment.
Creating a Community Node around Sultan Gate
Park furniture and lighting have transformed Sultan Gate Park into a community space. Stakeholders are keen to pedestrianise Sultan Gate and enhance the park space as an attractive event space and community node for the precinct.
Newly restored State-owned shophouses will be adapted for new lifestyle uses to activate and enliven Sultan Gate park.
Chinatown
Kreta Ayer, Telok Ayer, Tanjong Pagar and Bukit Pasoh are part of the Chinatown Historic District, each having their own special character. Many traditional trades and clan associations remain, contributing to the area’s historic charm. The community is working together to promote Chinatown’s rich history through storytelling and activities on closed roads.
Celebrating our Cultural Heritage
© Singapore Hock San Association
Chinatown stakeholder, Hok San Association, ushers in the new year during Car-Free Sunday at Telok Ayer Street.
Clans and associations share their rich history and culture during open houses and events such as Singapore Heritage Festival.
Embracing Car-Lite & Pedestrian-Friendly Precincts
Upgraded street market stalls in Kreta Ayer by Chinatown Business Association offer tourists and visitors a great way to experience Chinatown.
A pilot Car-Free Weekend at Telok Ayer Street allowed lunch-time crowd to enjoy the heritage sights and historic streetscape. Look forward to two more Car-Free Weekends in 2019 to enjoy the charm of Chinatown’s oldest street.
Street events by community groups such as Lopelab at Keong Saik Road invite more people to explore the heritage precinct.