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URA Draft Master Plan
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  3. Central Area
  4. Celebrating Heritage and Culture

Celebrating Heritage and Culture

Our diverse arts and cultural offerings in the Bras Basah.Bugis and Civic District will be sustained and rejuvenated. They will be complemented by the rich heritage and culture in the neighbouring Historic Districts to anchor our city centre as a vibrant place for arts and culture.

Last updated 3 July 2025

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Refreshing our arts, cultural and educational districts
Enhancing Historic Districts

Refreshing our arts, cultural and educational districts

Made up of Bras Basah.Bugis, Fort Canning and the Civic District, our Arts and Cultural Districts host a myriad of arts and cultural offerings, educational institutions, as well as architectural and heritage landmarks. In the coming years, these precincts will welcome new cultural and educational facilities that add to its buzz.

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Enhancing Historic Districts

Our historic districts of Kampong Glam, Chinatown and Little India are our cultural heartlands that are significant to Singapore’s unique heritage and identity.

We will continue to celebrate and enhance these precincts through placemaking efforts in collaboration with local communities and businesses.

Kampong Glam

A 5-year Place Plan has been developed by local community group Kampong Gelam Alliance (KGA) to guide stakeholders on a collective vision to achieve positive outcomes for the community. Some of the upcoming projects include:

  • Sustained activation of 45 Sultan Gate as a community node for events and programming

  • Road improvement works to enhance pedestrian safety and visitor experience

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45 Sultan Gate hosting a kebaya exhibition.

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Community event at Sultan Gate Open Space.

Sultan Gate Open Space will be improved as a gathering space for stakeholders and visitors. A banyan sapling will be replanted to remind people of the tree that originally stood in front of the former Istana Kampong Gelam.

Learn more about the Kampong Gelam Place Plan.

Chinatown 

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Wayang performance along Smith Street. Source: Chinatown Business Association

Smith Street is being rejuvenated with new community programmes and creative lifestyle concepts that integrate local heritage and cultural themes. The pedestrian mall will host celebrations and festivities.

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Repurposing of Tanjong Pagar Road space for new cycling and walking paths. Source: LTA

Space along Tanjong Pagar Road will be repurposed for new cycling and walking paths. This will improve accessibility and connectivity between the historic neighbourhood to other parts of the CBD.

Little India 

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Project Oasis Little India site at Clive Street. Source: LISHA

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Indian Heritage Centre Deepavali open house celebrations. Source: Indian Heritage Centre

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Did you know?

An inter-agency Task Force for Heritage Businesses, Traditional Activities and Cultural Life has been established to grow and sustain heritage businesses and traditional activities that play a crucial role in keeping our heritage areas vibrant for future generations.