Celebrating Heritage and Culture

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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A district for learning

Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) is consolidating its campuses to a city-campus site at the former Rochor Centre, providing improved access for students via the Bugis MRT Interchange Station. Located near to the arts and cultural precinct of Bras Basah.Bugis and along the North-South Corridor, it will enjoy good synergy with nearby arts, education and cultural institutions. SUSS envisions its new campus to take in some 40,000 students.

The new University of the Arts Singapore is an institute of higher learning that enhances the precinct’s positioning as a place where creativity and learning thrive.

Enhanced connectivity and public spaces

Upcoming connectivity enhancement works at Waterloo Street. Artist’s impression for illustrative purposes only

Waterloo Street will have extended sidewalks, greenery, as well as pockets of public spaces for informal gatherings and community events, while a new cycling path is planned along Bencoolen Street. Together with the completed Queen Street and Bencoolen Street enhancements, these improvements will complete efforts made over the years to connect Bras Basah.Bugis to the neighbouring Civic District and Fort Canning Park to form an expanded arts and cultural precinct.

Art and culture all around

New arts and community uses have found new homes within State properties.

The former Elections Department building is housing The Foundry, a social impact organisation while the former Middle Road Hospital will house a new campus by the non-profit Indian cultural organisation. Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS).

Former St. Joseph’s Institution building is being studied for a new Singapore Design Museum and former Catholic High School buildings (51 Waterloo Street, 8 Queen Street and 222 Queen Street) are being studied for arts, cultural and community purposes.

45 Armenian Street has been earmarked for renovation, which would add to the regular activation of the street, such as the annual Armenian Street party. Nearby, Peranakan Museum, housed in the former Tao Nan School, has been refreshed to better tell the story of this colourful community in Singapore.

Source: Children’s Museum Singapore

Children’s Museum Singapore at Coleman Street opened in end-2022, making learning history and culture more accessible for the younger generation.

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

45 Sultan Gate hosting a kebaya exhibition.

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 

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.

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.

Wayang performance along Smith Street. Source: Chinatown Business Association

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

Little India 

State Properties and State Land In Little India will continue to be used for community activities and festive programming for both stakeholders and visitors. New residential uses have also been introduced to provide more accommodation options in the district.

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

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

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.